Even if you don’t wear glasses or contacts, it may be a good idea to get vision insurance.
Vision insurance often covers all or most of the cost of an annual eye exam, and comprehensive eye exams are necessary for much more than checking whether current eyeglass/corrective lens prescriptions are correct. They are also the first line of defense when it comes to catching eye disease or injury.
For example, your eye doctor may find signs of conditions that may have otherwise gone undetected, including diabetes, glaucoma, high cholesterol and some forms of cancer. Your eye exam is also how your eye doctor assesses your vision to determine whether you need glasses, contact lenses or eye surgery. While your vision may seem satisfactory now, quality of vision can diminish at any point in life.
Who needs vision insurance?
People of any age or level of eye health could benefit from having vision insurance, and your coverage can apply to more than just you.
Covering your spouse and children could increase your annual savings on those important comprehensive eye exams, as well as on eyewear. If you or your family need glasses or contacts, your vision insurance may cover part of those costs.
Another reason why even the healthiest eyes can benefit from vision insurance is that injuries or ailments of the eye may be fairly expensive to treat without insurance.
The cost of out-of-pocket visits to an eye doctor could be more than what you would pay for a year’s worth of monthly vision insurance premiums. Not to mention the peace of mind you may feel when you are able to stay on top of your family's eye health with potentially lower out-of-pocket costs.
Do I need vision insurance for my baby?
In our guide to vision insurance for children, we note that within the first year, it is recommended that your baby be screened three times to assess vision and eye development. During regular well-child visits, a pediatrician will perform the screening by shining a light in the child’s eyes to check pupillary reaction and eye alignment. If any problems are spotted, you’ll be referred to an eye doctor that specializes in pediatrics.
Catching vision conditions while your child is still a baby can help ensure that the issue is treated quickly and monitored closely throughout your child’s development.
Insurance and eye care
Both optometrists and ophthalmologists can diagnose and manage a wide range of eye conditions. If you experience changes in your vision or have concerns about your eye health, either type of eye doctor can evaluate your condition and recommend a treatment plan. If your condition requires surgery or more specialized care, your eye doctor may refer you to an ophthalmologist or subspecialist.
Routine eye exams are typically covered under vision insurance, while visits for medical eye conditions — such as glaucoma, cataracts or diabetic eye disease — are generally billed to medical insurance, regardless of whether you see an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
What is covered by vision insurance?
Vision insurance is typically designed to reduce your costs for routine preventive eye care (eye exams), medically necessary treatments, and prescription eyewear (eyeglasses and contact lenses).
Many vision insurance plans include allowances or discounts for photochromic lenses, scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings, and other lens upgrades. Some vision plans also offer discounts on elective vision correction surgery, such as LASIK and PRK.
The services, products and procedures covered by vision insurance can vary greatly depending on the provider and plan. For example, some vision insurance plans differ in copay amounts, eye exam tests covered (retinal scan may not be included) and how often you can use your benefits toward glasses or contacts.
That is why your first step when evaluating vision insurance plans is to take an assessment of what vision needs you and your family have. Some vision insurance plans offer different levels of coverage and premiums depending on those needs.
How much does vision insurance cost?
The price of vision insurance varies based on the provider and how comprehensive the plan is. Some employers may cover some part of those monthly premiums themselves.
It's important to understand the difference between what vision insurance and medical insurance cover. Vision insurance is designed for routine preventive eye care — such as annual comprehensive eye exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses. For many people, the monthly cost of vision insurance may be lower than the price of paying for these vision products and services without insurance coverage.
Medical eye conditions, including eye injuries, chronic conditions like dry eye, and diseases such as glaucoma or cataracts, are generally billed to your medical insurance. If you're unsure which plan applies, your eye doctor's office can help determine the appropriate coverage for your visit.
