How to Evaluate a Vision Care Plan

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By freeser67
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Evaluate a Vision Care Plan

Routine vision care continues to be linked to better overall health and productivity. Many companies offer either employer-funded or voluntary vision coverage to their employees. Affordable vision insurance and discount plans are also available for individual consumers outside of the workplace. These plans often offer members paid-in-full or discounted routine eye examinations, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. Follow the simple tips below to evaluate whether a vision care plan will meet your needs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Routine Eye Examinations - Review the plan that you are interested in carefully and determine whether a routine eye examination would be covered every 12 months or every 24 months. Depending on your age, it might be preferable to receive a routine eye exam every year. Vision screenings can often detect other health issues such as diabetes and glaucoma. Small children should also receive annual screenings to determine whether glasses might be needed for school. If you are considering vision insurance coverage, your plan might allow you to receive a routine exam from an in-network or out-of-network provider. Depending upon the plan, an in-network exam may be covered in full or you might owe a small copayment for the exam. Partial reimbursement (up to a fixed dollar) should be available if you receive an exam from an out-of-network provider. If you are considering a discount vision plan, you will probably receive a discount on a routine vision exam when you stay in-network only.
Step 2

Eyeglasses - Most vision insurance plans offer members a fixed allowance for either a pair of eyeglasses or a supply of contact lenses each benefit period. If a member decides to purchase eyeglasses, the plan will usually reimburse him up to a pre-established dollar amount for his frames and eyeglass lenses. Anything in excess of this fixed allowance will need to be paid for by the member. Some vision insurance plans operate their own labs where they manufacture their own eyewear. These plans may offer their members a selection of frames and lenses that are free of charge. Choosing a vision plan with its own eyewear collection can save you a considerable amount of money! If you are considering a discount vision plan, you will usually receive a reduced rate on your eyeglasses when you purchase them from an in-network provider only.
Step 3

Contact Lenses - If a member decides to purchase contact lenses in lieu of eyeglasses, vision insurance plans will usually either reimburse the cost of the contact lenses up to a fixed dollar mount or pay for an initial supply of contact lenses (3-6 months) in full. Anything in excess of the fixed allowance or any quantity of contact lenses greater than the initial supply would need to be paid for by the member. A discount vision plan will usually allow you to receive a reduced rate on your contact lenses when you purchase them from an in-network provider only.
Step 4

Additional Discounts - Many vision plans offer additional discounts on laser vision correction services, replacement contact lenses and special lens extras (scratch-resistant coating, tinting, etc.). Carefully review the plan that you are interested in to determine whether significant savings are available on additional services and materials.
Step 5

In-Network Providers -Make sure that the vision plan that you are considering has a large network of participating providers, including independent optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians as well as eye care practitioners at popular retail locations (LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, etc.). Visit the plan's website or contact their Customer Service department to obtain a list of network providers closest to your home or business.