How to Find The Vision Insurance Policy That's Right for You

Over 7 million Americans have vision loss or blindness, and many of these cases could be prevented or treated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Why are so many people struggling to see? One major obstacle when accessing care is cost; eye exams, glasses, and contacts tend to be incredibly expensive, and many individuals choose to forgo care due to financial restrictions and limitations. That’s where vision insurance comes in. It can help cover those expenses, making eye health attainable for millions nationwide. Understanding these basics lets you easily make more informed decisions and find your vision insurance. 

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What Is the Meaning of a Vision Plan?

A vision insurance policy is a type of health plan that offsets out-of-pocket costs for routine eye care. While these policies differ from regular health insurance, they share a few commonalities. In both cases, individuals pay a monthly premium in exchange for specific benefits, with vision coverage typically including:

• Routine Eye Exams. Prevention is a powerful tool in any wellness plan, and seeing a specialist at least once a year to monitor eye changes is an important part of maintaining healthy vision.
• Contact Lens Fittings. In addition to routine eye checkups, patients who wish to wear contacts must make an appointment for a fitting to ensure the right prescription. After that, those individuals must regularly visit their contact lens specialist. 
• Frames For Eyeglasses. While their primary function is vision, glasses are a featured part of a wearer’s face and can add to a person’s style. They can also be expensive. Vision insurance, on the other hand, covers a percentage of or the whole cost of new frames, often yearly, so nobody gets stuck with the same look for too long.
• Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses. No matter how stylish, frames aren’t any good without lenses, which can be more expensive, especially for folks with strong prescriptions that often require complex lens crafting. Additionally, contacts are a recurring fee as they are not typically used for long periods. Most vision insurance plans cover these expenses.

When policyholders understand the individual components of their vision plan, they can make more informed decisions about their vision health and requirements without spending a fortune. 

What Is an Allowance in Vision Insurance?

Once you find your vision insurance, understanding the financial aspects of the plan can be confusing. These policies often come with specific terms that can affect your out-of-pocket costs, including:

• Allowance. This is the set amount of money the insurance company contributes towards the cost of certain necessities. That means if a patient has a frame allowance of $150, but the pair they want costs $200, the remaining $50 is their responsibility.
• Co-pay. This fee is a fixed amount charged to the patient for each specific service, like an eye exam or a contact lens fitting. Typically, health plans have a predetermined pricing structure for different services. For example 
• Deductible. This is the amount an individual pays out-of-pocket before insurance starts covering costs. For example, if a deductible on a healthcare policy is $500, once a patient has contributed that much in the way of out-of-pocket expenses, the insurance company will cover the rest of the costs in their entirety for the remainder of the policy.

It’s important to remember that allowances, co-pays, and deductibles will vary depending on which specific vision policy an individual is covered by, so it’s crucial to double-check plan details to understand exactly how much coverage there is.

Why Is It Important to Have Vision Insurance?

Regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining adequate vision health and allow individuals to prioritize their sight without draining their savings. Consider these reasons when contemplating the importance of having vision insurance:

• Detect Problems Sooner. Doctors get to know their patients better when they see them regularly and can notice small changes that could potentially lead to more serious problems if left untreated. The sooner conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and more are caught, the better the likelihood of effective treatment options. Early detection and diagnosis can prevent vision loss, so not seeing an eye doctor regularly could cost more than the premiums.
• Improved Quality of Life. From the moment we wake up to the second we go to sleep, our eyes take in details that entire time. Vision impacts wellness so much more than just sight. Headaches, dizziness, and blurry vision can be miserable experiences and make everyday tasks like reading, working with one’s hands, or driving complicated and even dangerous. 
• Cost Savings. Without insurance coverage, eye care can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year that the average consumer doesn’t have to spare. Instead of going broke or going without, insurance puts the power to take charge of health back into the hands of the people. 
• Access to a Network. Finding the right eye care professional can be complicated. When you find your vision insurance, you gain access to a network of specialists who take your insurance so you can locate a provider confidently, knowing there won’t be any surprise expenses not outlined in your plan.

Eye care can be expensive, but avoiding regular exams can have devastating and life-altering consequences. For this reason, the costs of vision insurance are often worth the investment.

Is Vision Insurance Different From Health Insurance?

While vision and health insurance provide financial support for wellness services, they are different and serve distinct purposes and care coverage. Health insurance is a broader policy typically covering a wide range of medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and prescription medications. While it may cover some basic eye exams, its primary focus is on medical conditions that affect your overall health. Vision insurance, on the other hand, is specifically designed to cover routine eye care and eyewear. It typically covers:

• An annual checkup.
• Frames and lenses for glasses.
• Contact lenses and fitting fees.

Vision insurance is often offered as a separate policy from health insurance and is a valuable tool for maintaining good eye health and saving money on eye care expenses, so it’s important to find your vision insurance plan and start making those appointments.

Find Your Vision Insurance With HealthPlusLife

Eye care is paramount for health, and insurance makes affordable care accessible. When selecting a plan, consider the following factors:

• Coverage: What services are covered, and what are the limits on those services?
• Network: How extensive is the network of eye care providers in your area?
• Cost: What is the monthly premium, and what are the out-of-pocket costs?
• Deductibles and Co-pays: Understand the specific costs you’ll be responsible for.
• Additional Benefits: Some plans may offer additional benefits like discounts on LASIK surgery or other vision-related procedures.

By carefully evaluating your needs and comparing different plans, you can choose a vision insurance policy that provides adequate coverage at an affordable price. While it’s possible to locate vision policies in the Health insurance marketplace, there’s no need to do it alone. Our experts at HealthPlusLife are here to help.

Navigating the choppy waters of insurance plans is not for the faint of heart. With a wide range of policies and plans, it’s helpful to have someone well-versed in the industry to point out any factors you may be overlooking and point you toward a plan that fits your needs and budget. If you need help, we’re ready! Call HealthPlusLife at 888-828-5064 today, and we’ll help you find your vision insurance plan for a lifetime of clear vision.