Vision insurance is a supplemental benefit and is usually taken in conjunction with your primary health insurance policy, which covers doctor visits, hospital stays, diagnoses and surgeries. Vision insurance is typically offered as group coverage and is difficult, not impossible, to obtain independently at a reasonable cost. Dental and vision insurance usually go together.
So Should You Have Vision Insurance?
Before I answer that, let me tell you why vision testing and treatment is important.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the top government health agency, approximately 11 million Americans ages 12 and older have vision problems. More than 3 million Americans over the age of 40 are legally blind or have low vision.
Aside from the fact that sight is one of the most important functions for humans, you must understand that our eye and the locations around it (the capillaries, the focusing and receiving mechanisms, etc.) are built in a very complex formation. .
Here’s what your eye insurance or vision insurance should cover at a minimum:
1. Eye exam
The vision basics most commonly covered are annual eye exams in which a complete eye evaluation is performed, including eye health testing and a refraction to determine the need for glasses.
2. Vision correction
This means making sure you are properly equipped with the right types of glasses: trifocals, reading glasses, distance glasses, etc.
3. Eye exam related to a medical condition
This could mean lack of oxygen in the eye area due to excess blood sugar. This can affect your vision and eye muscles.
4. Other medical conditions
This includes cataracts, glaucoma or retinal disorders. They should be reviewed and if surgery is indicated, covered by insurance.
As you can see, there are many types of conditions that, depending on your age and medical history, need coverage. Unfortunately, most vision insurance policies will only cover the eye exam and will partially cover treatments related to medical conditions. However, you can compare prices.
Also, look for policies with higher deductibles. In fact, they may be better for you if they have expanded coverage for treatments related to medical conditions.
Next, be selective when choosing your ophthalmologist. Know the difference between Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and Optician. An Ophthalmologist is an ophthalmologist. He or she has a doctor with nine years of medical education and can not only diagnose but treat even serious conditions, including eye surgery. An optometrist is a diploma holder with 4 years of medical education and is primarily limited to diagnosing eye-related conditions.
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