In the realm of health and wellness, eyesight sometimes takes a back seat until the moment we notice a change in our vision or experience discomfort. This in-the-moment approach not only jeopardizes our visual health but also hurts our wallets. Here is the critical question: Why get vision insurance? In this guide for choosing the right vision insurance, we’ll explore the benefits of vision insurance, weigh these benefits against the drawbacks of not having it, and provide a comprehensive road map to selecting the best vision insurance plan tailored to your vision and health needs.
Why Should You Get Vision Insurance?
Vision insurance is not just a policy—it’s a proactive way to care for the health of your eyes now and in the future. This means vision insurance is about more than just glasses or contacts. Vision insurance is also about regular eye health checks, early detection of vision-related health issues, and managing costs that can otherwise be surprisingly high. With vision insurance, you’re not just buying lenses you’re investing in greater peace of mind.
Benefits of Vision Insurance vs. Drawbacks of Not Having It
Having vision insurance isn’t just about saving money on glasses and contact lenses. Vision insurance covers comprehensive eye exams that can detect early signs of eye disease such as cataracts or glaucoma. This preemptive vision care with the help of vision insurance can save you thousands in medical bills down the line.
On the flip side, without having vision insurance, you’re not just risking unforeseen out-of-pocket expenses. You might also be overlooking the health of your eyes until it’s too late, leading to higher costs and more complex eye and vision treatments. If the cost of glasses or contacts has been high enough to keep you in an older prescription, you may even not be experiencing the clear vision you need to fully enjoy life.
Types of Vision Insurance Available
Vision insurance comes in several varieties, including individual plans, group plans (often provided by employers), and discount plans. Each type of vision insurance plan has pros and cons. Individual plans such as VSP® offer reasonable premiums, flexibility, and coverage. Some group plans provide cost benefits or simple enrollment. Finally, discount plans offer reduced rates on services and products.
Understanding these different types of vision insurance plans can help you choose the right kind of coverage for your situation.
How To Choose Vision Insurance — Things to Consider as You Search
Choosing the right vision insurance requires a thoughtful approach. We have several tips on what to consider as you look at your vision plan options. Use these steps to help you search for the vision insurance plan that best fits your vision needs.
Estimate Your Eye Care Costs: Reflect on your past year’s eye care expenses — this may include costs that you had delayed until you have coverage. Use this to anticipate your needs for the coming year. This foresight can help you decide on the necessity and extent of vision insurance coverage you require.
Review Your Plan Costs and Vision Plan Coverage: Dive into the details of what each insurance policy offers and at what cost. Be mindful of premiums, deductibles, copays, and coverage caps. Discount plans may have lower premiums that are offset by limited savings on services and corrective eyewear.
Narrow Down Your Plan Options: Focus on plans that match your budget and eye health needs. Consider whether you’re looking for basic coverage or comprehensive benefits that include eye exams, glasses, contacts, and even corrective surgery.
In-network Providers: Do you have a preferred eye doctor? If you'd prefer not to switch, find out if they are within each plan’s network. Staying in network can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Wide Coverage and Vision Benefits: If you have a complex prescription, look for plans that offer extensive coverage. This could include a broad spectrum of eye care services and treatments.
Annual Eye Examination Coverage: Confirm that the plan provides full or partial coverage for annual eye exams. This can make it easier for you to stay current with your annual eye exam, helping to detect vision and health problems in their earlier stages.
Eyewear and Contact Lens Allowances: Check the specifics on allowances for glasses and contacts. Some plans offer generous allowances, while others might provide discounts on purchases.
Ease of Access: Consider how easy it is to use the insurance. This includes booking eye appointments, the size of the provider network, customer service support, and claims processing.
How Can I Buy a Vision Insurance Plan?
Once you’ve selected a vision insurance plan that suits your needs, purchasing it is the next step. If you’re opting for an individual plan, you can buy directly from the insurance company. For example, VSP offers a useful feature to help you find and buy your plan with their Vision Plan Wizard tool. You can also browse options for other vision plans on a health insurance marketplace.
For employer-sponsored or group plans, enrollment is typically done through your workplace during the open enrollment period or when you first become eligible for benefits.
Conclusion
Choosing the right vision insurance is a crucial decision that affects not just your financial health but also your overall well-being. By taking a proactive, informed approach, you can ensure that your eyes receive the care they deserve without putting undue strain on your finances. Remember, vision insurance isn’t just about seeing better today—it’s about ensuring a clearer tomorrow through benefits that help you maintain your eye health.
As you shop for eye insurance, consider a VSP Individual Vision Plan that gives you the vision coverage you need, while also providing you with flexibility to get the most benefit from your plan.
Information received through VSP Individual Vision Plans' social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Reviewed by Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon:
Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon is Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs at VSP Vison Care where she helps drive strategic initiatives aimed at raising awareness about vision, eye health and its connection to overall wellness, while providing insight into medical advancements that seek to benefit patient care. She also provides oversight of VSP programs to address gaps in care for some of the most high-risk populations, including those living with diabetes.
With more than two decades of experience as a Doctor of Optometry, Dr. Sheety-Pilon has dedicated much of her time to clinical research across numerous ophthalmic subspecialties and has an established history of helping patients through novel therapeutic agents and clinical adoption of transformative technology in the areas of digital health, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
Prior to joining VSP Vision in 2019, Dr. Sheety-Pilon served as Adjunct Clinical Professor at Illinois College of Optometry, held various executive positions within the eye health industry, and has extensive experience managing and practicing within an ophthalmology and optometry practice.
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