Vision Insurance For Individuals

People buy vision insurance for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is to pay for costly Optometrist visits, and to help cover the costs of eye glasses or contacts. Whatever the case maybe having the right vision plan can you save hundreds of dollars a year and more importantly help you take care of your eyes? Vision insurance generally pays all or a percentage of the charges related to your vision care (i.e. routine eye exams, preventative eye care). A Vision Discount plan is similar to vision insurance, but instead of “co-pays” for services rendered you receive a specific discount percentage for specific procedures.

Another reason to consider buying a vision discount or insurance plan is to maintain a healthy eye sight, and catch any potential diseases (i.e. Glaucoma). Many insurance plans pay 100% for check-ups every six (6) months. Most vision insurance plans will even cover a check-up immediately after you are approved for coverage. Be sure to check the specific coverage or discount amounts on check-ups before you sign up for a vision insurance plan.

Think of how important you vision is to you. It's no wonder then that vision insurance has become a common part of employment packages.

What is Covered with Individual Vision Insurance?

Like most health insurance plans, vision care plans can vary tremendously. They range from plans that cover just the bare minimum to premium plans that cover high-cost eye treatments such as laser eye surgery (LASIK). In general though, vision plans are not meant to replace an individual’s medical coverage. Only “routine” health issues are generally addressed.

Most plans will cover at least the basics:

Routine eye exams
Prescription eyewear (glasses and contacts)
Routine eye exams typically include:
A check of internal and external eye health for signs of possible disorders such as cataracts or problems with your retina
An evaluation of your current prescription (glasses or contact lenses)
A visual acuity test to check your ability to see clearly at all distances
A refraction test to determine your eyes' ability to focus light rays on the retina at all distances
A glaucoma test of your eyes' internal pressure
A visual coordination test for muscle control
A test of your eyes' ability to change focus

Source: American Optometric Association

If the routine eye exam uncovers eye problems, the vision plan usually does not cover surgery or other more invasive medical procedures. These are usually left for the individual’s main health insurance plan.

Plans through a managed care organization (HMO, PPO) will generally restrict coverage to in network optometrists and ophthalmologists.

Lastly, many plans are set up as discount plans, where the employer or managed care group has negotiated preferred rates with local providers. The discount provided is usually in excess of 10%, but note, the other 90% is still the responsibility of the patient.

Who Needs Individual Vision Insurance?

Anyone that wears prescription glasses or contact lenses would benefit from a vision insurance plan. Getting cheaper prices on services and corrective lenses that you need anyway is an obvious benefit.

Vision insurance is fairly inexpensive. Expect to pay around $130 per year for a plan through an HMO or insurance carrier. In addition, many employers will either cover vision insurance as part of your benefits package, or at least contribute 25-50% of the individual's annual premium.

Where Do I Buy Vision Insurance?

Get several quotes (it’s easiest to do this online) and then do some comparing to get the best price and benefits. Shopping around can often make a big difference in how satisfied you’re with the plan you end up choosing. We recommend using an online vision insurance broker like: www.VisionInsuranceForIndividuals.com because a broker will give you quotes from many different vision insurance providers to ensure you get the best value for your money. An insurance broker can also help you navigate the vision marketplace and make recommendations to ensure you find a vision plan that will meet your individual needs.

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