Choosing a vision plan is difficult. How do you know what options you need or what insurance plan is best? Vision insurance plans are full of confusing language and options that most of us are not familiar with. In this confusion, most of use simply just choose one and forget about it until next year.
It should come as no surprise today that much of this confusion is intentional. It’s designed to create the sense of need so consumers purchase a vision insurance plan, even when the vision plan is not the best.
There are circumstances when purchasing a vision insurance plan may be right for you. We will break down the three most important aspects of a vision insurance plan that you should consider before signing up.
What is the total cost of vision insurance? Many employers offer vision insurance, albeit at your own cost, as a deduction in your pay every pay period. We tend rationalize the cost as minimal in these circumstances.
These minimal deductions add up.
It is not uncommon for these payments to range between $5-$10 bi-weekly or $10-$20 per month. One popular vision insurance corporation advertises directly to the consumer for plans that start at only $25 per month.
So what exactly does paying for vision insurance get you?
Let’s say you purchased a vision insurance plan that you felt was affordable for your budget. How much does it cost to use this vision insurance plan?
Gone are the days where we could walk out of our Doctor’s appointment with an eye exam and a new pair of glasses and not have to pay anything extra. Today, the average person using their vision insurance plan is paying out-of-pocket up to 80% of the cost of their glasses purchase.
When choosing a vision plan be sure to look at the co-pay fees and the cost of the small stuff.
Many vision insurance plans will tout the amount of the frame that is covered under the plan. The fine print typically reads that the frame benefit can only be used when prescription lenses are made as well. What are the co-pay requirements for these prescription lenses?
Prescription lenses are made up of many parts. Vision, material, and coatings. It’s the design and sum of these parts that make for great vision.
Do you wear single vision versus progressive | multifocal lenses. Based on your prescription do you require a Hi-Index lens or will the Trivex lens work for you? Let’s not forget about coatings such as anti-glare, scratch resistant, and blue light blocking technology.
It is not uncommon for a vision insurance plan to offer a nice benefit towards your frame while requiring large co-pays or no benefits towards certain components of your prescription lenses.
Be sure to get into the details of what your vision care plan provides not just what they are selling and look for plans with $0 co-pays on what they would consider as additional features or add-ons.
Did you know that the two largest vision insurance corporations are estimated to own and operate over 5,000 stores in the U.S.?
With or without insurance, you deserve not just access to care but access to the absolute best eye care and products available.
One way to assure you have access to the very best care and products is to choose a vision plan that offers out of network benefits.
Out of network benefits limits the vision insurance corporation’s ability to funnel you to their own stores, selling their own products and provides you the freedom to choose the Optometrist and Optician that you feel is the best.
If you prefer in-network access, do your research. Find a top-rated local, independent eye care provider and contact them directly to ask if they are in-network providers.
Before choosing a vision insurance plan be sure to do your research and directly reach out and talk to the people that work with vision insurance plans on a daily basis.
Most reputable, independent eye care professionals will be happy to go over the plan options with you. Talking with your current Optometrist or Optician is beneficial as they have a great sense of what you really need based on your purchase history.
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