You may not realize it yet if you’ve never had a serious eye problem in the past, but the fact is, many eye issues are not covered by standard health insurance. Instead, you generally need a separate vision insurance policy or a rider on your health plan.
Therefore, when it comes to protecting your eye health for the long term, you need to take the time to explore your options and not just assume regular health insurance will cover it.
Vision Benefits Packages
Many who get their health insurance through their employer have the option of adding on a vision benefits package to ensure eye care is included in their overall health coverage.
A vision benefits package will offer a fixed array of specific eye care benefits like annual eye examinations, diagnostic tests (as needed), discounts on glasses, frames, and contacts, and cost reductions for LASIK and other eye surgeries. You tap into a local network of eye care professionals and often have great flexibility in customizing your policy – you can add or subtract services (up to a point) and pay the corresponding premiums.
Many times, a vision benefits plan will be connected to a Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Account, Flexible Spending Account, or other health-related, employer-involved cost-reduction arrangement.
Vision Discount Plans
Another setup when it comes to vision insurance is the “vision discount plan.” This differs a bit from a vision benefits package in that it is normally more rigidly designed and in that it gives you a particular discount on a wider range of eye care needs.
While you may have to pay more out of pocket with a discount plan than with a benefits package, you also typically have much lower premiums. So, it’s a trade off. Each individual must weigh his/her overall eye care needs and decide how to balance benefits and costs.
Choosing A Vision Insurance Plan
There a several important consideration you need to take into account before making a decision on vision insurance:
Vision Benefits Packages
Many who get their health insurance through their employer have the option of adding on a vision benefits package to ensure eye care is included in their overall health coverage.
A vision benefits package will offer a fixed array of specific eye care benefits like annual eye examinations, diagnostic tests (as needed), discounts on glasses, frames, and contacts, and cost reductions for LASIK and other eye surgeries. You tap into a local network of eye care professionals and often have great flexibility in customizing your policy – you can add or subtract services (up to a point) and pay the corresponding premiums.
Many times, a vision benefits plan will be connected to a Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Account, Flexible Spending Account, or other health-related, employer-involved cost-reduction arrangement.
Vision Discount Plans
Another setup when it comes to vision insurance is the “vision discount plan.” This differs a bit from a vision benefits package in that it is normally more rigidly designed and in that it gives you a particular discount on a wider range of eye care needs.
While you may have to pay more out of pocket with a discount plan than with a benefits package, you also typically have much lower premiums. So, it’s a trade off. Each individual must weigh his/her overall eye care needs and decide how to balance benefits and costs.
Choosing A Vision Insurance Plan
There a several important consideration you need to take into account before making a decision on vision insurance:
- Examine your current health plan. It should cover at least some eye disease treatments and accidental eye injuries. But find out exactly what would/would not be covered.
- Ask about any vision insurance options your employer may offer as an employee benefit. Also, ask about how an HSA or other relevant arrangements might be useable for eye care needs.
- Assess your annual eye care needs. Do you wear glasses or contacts? Do you or your family have a history of eye disease? How much did you spend last year on vision-related medical services?
- Talk to an experienced insurance agent or broker. Get his or her advice on what kind of vision coverage might meet your needs and fit your budget. Be sure you get a plan in place that will be adequate to both your personal needs and those of your whole family.
We tend to take our eyes for granted, but the reality is our vision can deteriorate as we age or if suddenly struck by an accident or disease that affects our eyes. The costs of paying for serious (or even routine) eye care 100% out of pocket can be prohibitively high, and regular health insurance leaves many things uncovered in this regard.
If you are interested in finding or customizing a vision insurance plan that works for you, talk to the vision insurance experts at Flagler County (FL) Insurance Agency today! We will give you a free, no-obligation consultation and help you find your ideal policy.