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How do I Choose the Best Vision Care Insurance?
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
While many people have vision protection as part of a general health insurance policy, others have to secure vision care insurance separately. With so many different types of eye care options today, it is important to choose the one that meets as many of your needs as possible. This often involves spending some time researching various options in order to find the vision care package that is right for you.
A good place to begin your search for quality vision care insurance is with your optometrist or ophthalmologist. It is often possible to obtain a list of the providers they accept, as well as contact information for each of those providers. Many health care providers make it a point to accept plans that are either very popular, or that offer some type of services they consider to be important to the well-being of their patients.
Take the list and begin researching each of the providers. You are likely to find similarities between all the policies, in terms of basic coverage. At the same time, there will be factors that distinguish some vision care insurance providers from the rest. Those factors may be low deductibles, more procedures covered without the need for a co-pay, and additional maintenance services offered at no charge.
As you compare the provisions of one vision care plan to another, make sure any plans that seem to be a good deal include services that are of special interest to you and your family. If some members of the household wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, look closely at how much coverage the different plans offer in terms of paying for regular eye examinations, new frames, and the lenses themselves. For people who are thinking of trying some of the new surgical procedures that help to reverse some vision issues, look closely at what is and is not covered by each of the policies.
The cost of the monthly or quarterly premium is also very important when selecting vision care insurance coverage. Ideally, you will find a policy that provides for each of the services you will need routinely, and still have a premium that you can reasonably afford. Keep in mind you may have to compromise on some elements in order to remain within your budget. However, many vision care insurance providers will allow existing subscribers to upgrade from time to time. This means that as your financial circumstances improve, there will be the chance to obtain a more comprehensive insurance package without having to switch to another provider.
Malcolm Tatum
After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.
Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.
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![Vision care insurance may cover some of the cost of new glasses.]()
By: prosotphotoVision care insurance may cover some of the cost of new glasses. -
![Before purchasing vision insurance, make sure that the eye doctor you prefer is in its network.]()
By: daniel rajszczakBefore purchasing vision insurance, make sure that the eye doctor you prefer is in its network. -
![A family member's need for contact lenses should be considered when choosing vision care insurance.]()
By: ruigsantosA family member's need for contact lenses should be considered when choosing vision care insurance. -
![Experts advise that people age 62 and older have an annual vision screening.]()
By: JPC-PRODExperts advise that people age 62 and older have an annual vision screening.
Discussion Comments
@MrsWinslow - I don't exactly disagree with you that it might not always be advantageous to purchase this coverage, but I think there is a psychological reason to have vision benefits.
If you are paying a monthly premium, or even receiving this coverage for free through an employer, you'll feel like you should use it or you're wasting money - even if you have fairly high copays. So you will get your eyes checked when you should and get new glasses when you should.
But if you don't have the coverage, it's easy to let it slide. I once went a couple of years without seeing a dentist, for instance, because I moved a couple of times, didn't have dental insurance, etc. When I finally went back, my gums were in bad shape. If I had had the insurance, I probably would have used it and I would have been better off.
You might want to ask whether you need a vision insurance plan at all. Keep in mind that if something goes medically wrong with your eyes, your medical insurance will cover it. Vision insurance is basically a discount plan for your glasses and contacts.
Everyone needs a yearly eye exam, whether or not they currently wear glasses - these can turn up medical conditions like multiple sclerosis as well as determining the health of your eyes. But an eye exam is a fairly fixed cost.
You may be able to negotiate a discounted cash rate and/or a monthly payment plan with optometrist that could be just as good a deal as vision insurance. It's worth looking into.
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