Choosing a core health insurance plan is a daunting task. Considering the extras offered through supplementary insurance can increase the feeling of stress and overwhelm.
Unfortunately, when choosing vision insurance, there’s no black and white answer: you ultimately have to choose what works for your unique needs. However, there are things everyone should evaluate and consider before choosing a plan.
Here’s everything you need to know when selecting a vision insurance plan.
Why You Might Need Vision Insurance
Before putting in the work to select a vision insurance plan that fits the needs of your family, you must first understand why this matters.
When it comes to optometry, treatment isn’t cheap. Many health insurance plans consider visioning a specialty treatment that falls outside their scope of coverage. This might seem ridiculous, as being able to see plays a significant role in your overall health and wellness. Furthermore, going without treatment can have serious consequences.
Having vision insurance is a necessity if you anticipate high costs in this area.
What Your Current Plan Covers
While most basic health insurance plans don’t cover vision, many private plans do. Look at what your current plan covers to see if a vision insurance option is necessary. Some insurance plans will only cover eye examinations, and won’t include things like prescription lenses, frames, and add-ons.
Assessing Your Immediate Needs
Once you are aware of what your current plan does and doesn’t cover, you need to consider your immediate needs. When you commit to an insurance plan, it’s not a lifelong commitment. However, there are often designated periods during which you can change your plan, so you need to think ahead a bit.
Consider what you might require in the next year based on your history. If you already wear prescription glasses and know you’re due for an exam and lens change, it’s wise to invest in vision insurance. If you haven’t had any problems so far and don’t anticipate issues, you could do without.
Coverage Percentages and Networks
Another consideration when evaluating your plan options is to look at what each plan offering covers and network commitments. Depending on the level of your plan, it might cover the basics, like eye exams and a percentage toward your glasses, or it could offer extensive coverage for LASIK surgery. Of course, the more extensive the plan, the more it will cost you.
Another consideration is the network commitments that come with various plans. Determine if there are any network limitations regarding your coverage. In other words, do you have to see a specific set of vision care doctors to be covered, or do you have some freedom to select your own?
The challenge with network limitations is that you could unknowingly sign up for a plan that only allows you to visit an eye doctor who is a significant distance from you. Additionally, the network might not have someone who can help with special cases and treatments. Take a close look at the network commitments before enrolling in an insurance plan.
Budget and Financial Concerns
Take time to crunch the numbers of your past medical bills and see how much coverage you need. There’s no point in paying thousands of extra dollars in insurance each year if you don’t come close to using that coverage.
Find a plan that fits your budget and consider the various monetary aspects of the plan: deductibles, co-pay, coverage limits, etc. The main goal of purchasing insurance is to save you money. If it’s not going to help reduce your medical costs, it isn’t the plan for you.
Take some time to consider the various factors listed above before selecting a vision insurance plan. Talk to trusted colleagues and friends for their recommendations to help you find a reputable provider who offers excellent customer service.
