As the year winds down, many people scramble to make the most of their benefits before they expire. Among these are vision insurance benefits, which often operate on a “use-it-or-lose-it” basis. If you don’t take advantage of your vision benefits before the end of the year, they reset, leaving you to pay out-of-pocket for services you could have accessed with little to no additional cost.
At Hartland Eye Care, we want to help you maximize your vision insurance and maintain excellent eye health. Let’s explore what vision insurance typically covers and why it is essential to use it before the year ends. Additionally, discover how we can help you put it to good use at our practice in Hartland Township, Michigan.
What Does Vision Insurance Cover?
Vision insurance helps offset the cost of maintaining healthy eyesight. Coverage varies depending on your plan, but most policies include:
- Routine Eye Exams: Regular exams are essential for maintaining your vision and detecting problems early, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy.
- Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses: Many plans allow for prescription eyeglasses, lenses, or contact lenses. These benefits often reset annually, so you lose them if you don’t use them.
- Discounts on Lens Enhancements: Features like anti-reflective coatings, progressive lenses, and photochromic lenses may come at a discounted rate.
- Specialty Services: Some plans include coverage for advanced services like myopia management, orthokeratology (ortho-k), or even LASIK consultations.
While vision insurance doesn’t typically cover major medical treatments for eye diseases (medical insurance covers those costs), it plays a crucial role in preventative and corrective care.
Why Use Your Benefits Before Year-End
Vision insurance operates on an annual cycle. Most benefits reset on January 1st, meaning any unused allowances or discounts will no longer be available. Here’s why acting now is important:
1. Avoid Paying Out-of-Pocket
Unused benefits represent money left on the table. By scheduling an eye exam or updating your eyewear now, you avoid paying out-of-pocket costs later.
2. Refresh Your Prescription
Your vision can change over time. Regular eye exams ensure your prescription is accurate, improving your daily comfort and performance at work or school.
3. Stay Ahead of Eye Health Problems
Comprehensive eye exams can detect conditions early, often before noticeable symptoms appear. Delaying care may lead to more severe, costlier issues down the road.
4. Take Advantage of Tax-Free Savings
You can also use these funds for vision care if you contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). FSAs typically follow the same use-it-or-lose-it rule as vision insurance, making now the time to spend.
Maximize Your Benefits at Hartland Eye Care
We make it easy for patients to take full advantage of their vision insurance. Here’s how we can help:
1. Comprehensive Eye Exams
Our experienced optometrists provide thorough eye exams assessing your vision and eye health. If you have vision insurance, this service may be fully or partially covered, depending on your plan.
2. Designer Eyewear
Looking for new glasses? Hartland Eye Care offers a stunning selection of designer frames to suit every style and budget. Use your annual eyewear allowance to upgrade your look.
3. Contact Lens Fitting
We are skilled in fitting contact lenses, including specialty lenses for dry eye, astigmatism, and other conditions. Don’t let your contact lens benefits go unused—schedule a fitting with us.
4. Specialized Services
We offer myopia management, orthokeratology (ortho-k), and vision therapy. If your plan covers these services, now is the perfect time to explore them.
5. Flexible Payment Options
Not sure what your insurance covers? Our friendly staff will verify your benefits and explain your options. Plus, we offer CareCredit, making getting the care you need even easier.
Visit Our Eye Doctors in Hartland Township, MI
Hartland Eye Care has been serving the community since 1992. We aim to meet all your eye care needs with a focus on personalized, compassionate care.
Don’t let your vision insurance benefits go to waste! We are here to help you make the most of your coverage and keep your eyes healthy. Whether you need a routine eye exam, new glasses, or advanced care, our team can assist you.