Just like health insurance, vision insurance reduces your costs for eye care such as eye exams or prescription of eyewear. Having vision insurance includes a discount on corrective surgery such as LASIK and PRK. This insurance is more of a discount and specific benefit than providing unlimited benefits. Vision insurance can make premium eyewear more affordable than its original price.
There are costs and benefits for vision insurance which you need to understand before purchasing. Be aware that health insurance operates differently from vision insurance. It is a bright idea to ask about the benefits of vision insurance before an eye exam and purchase.
Getting a Vision Insurance
There is such a thing called group vision insurance which can be availed through a company, school, or Medicare or Medicaid. Being self-employed or other personal reasons can be a possible reason for you not to be eligible for a group plan. There is vision insurance that can be purchased individually. It is a value-added benefit to health insurance to provide eye care services.
Indemnity health insurance allows holders to access medical providers of their preference.
Health maintenance organization (HMO) provides health care at discounted rates to plan members. They are required to access health care from HMO providers only.
Preferred provider organization (PPO) provides health care at a fixed rate that is below retail prices to health plan members. They have the choice to access out-of-network providers but it comes with a larger cost.
Buying vision insurance entails the benefit of having access to optometrists and ophthalmologists, optical shops, and LASIK surgeons and paying a reduced rate of eye care services.
Available Insurance Plans for Vision
Vision benefits package or discount vision plan are the two forms of vision insurance. Vision benefits package refers to the provision of free eye care services and eyewear with a fixed rate that you pay for an annual membership fee. Other than that, you pay an extra cost when you access their service.
A discount vision plan refers to the provision of eye care and eyewear with a discounted rate excluding the annual membership fee. There are some vision benefits packages or discount vision plans that include a deductible which refers to the amount you need to pay before the benefits of insurance take effect.
Cost of Vision Insurance
The cost of vision insurance depends on the program and the state of your residence. It is a must to compare vision insurance providers before committing to one to make sure that you get the best benefits that you want. Remember that purchasing an individual vision insurance plan will be billed monthly or annually.
