It is better to get a precise description of what is covered in vision insurance before setting out to make a purchase. From the name of this plan, you would expect full coverage of all vision-related services but the reality is different.
Moreover, vision plans vary, but most still cover only basic services. Anything you need outside the regular allowance may require full health insurance. Both private and government employee vision plans can be valuable, but you must ensure your choice aligns with your needs before you opt in.
Insurance can be highly beneficial, but to avoid making an unnecessary coverage purchase, we will walk you through vision insurance and its coverage options, including what the insurance does not provide. So, you may want to read this article to be sure you are on the right track.
What is vision insurance?
Vision insurance provides financial support for eye care services, including routine eye checks and preventative care. Normally, insurers place a flat coverage amount to support your essential eye treatment.
This doesn’t mean you won’t spend on eye care, but your position as a policyholder qualifies you for financial assistance. With a vision plan, you can save on services while getting the best treatment.
Moreover, vision insurance is not as expensive as other policies, so you can easily decide on a convenient payment pattern with your insurer. Premiums may be paid monthly or annually, depending on your agreement.
Right after you purchase insurance, you will experience a waiting period before enjoying the full benefits of the plan. Until this period is over, you will get little or no benefits.
Insurers use this to dissuade policyholders who intend to sign up immediately because they have issues and dump them after getting financial support. You may have to wait for one month to three years before the full benefits start to kick in.
What is covered in vision insurance?
While it funds part of the cost of prescription eyewear, vision insurance only covers one eyewear at a time. Meaning, you can’t combine both your glasses or contacts on one policy. So, if you have been spending a fortune on your eyewear, vision insurance rids you of that burden.
Some plans may not cover complex medical conditions but still offer discounts on correction surgeries like LASIK. Also, policyholders can receive treatment within the plan’s network or get treatment from licensed optometrists outside the network.
With vision insurance, you can upgrade your policy to get better services. For example, policyholders who want more than the standard eyewear can pay the extra deductible to access customized eyewear.
That said, here’s a list of what is covered in vision insurance;
- Comprehensive vision checks
- Preventative vision care
- Frames
- Prescription eyeglass lenses
- Annual exams
- There are also discount offers for these services:
- Progressive lenses
- Corrective surgery (LASIK)
- Special lenses treatment
What does vision insurance not cover?
Vision insurance does not cover eye issues considered medically necessary. So, it’s better to get full medical insurance for special eye conditions, infections, or diseases, as your eye plan has no coverage provision for them.
Patients with eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts will fall back on a regular health plan for insurance benefits. However, there are still special exclusions on every plan. Depending on your coverage, you can get more than one assessment yearly, missed appointment fees, or even extra frames and lenses.
Conclusion
To conclude, the essence of studying what is covered in vision insurance is to ensure that you are getting what you need. Unlike a regular health plan, vision insurance requires a careful decision, especially for people without eye issues.
