The selection of vision benefits plans

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There are two kinds of vision insurance plans for your selection. One is the vision benefits package which may require co-pay at the time of service. The other one is vision discount plan, which offers services at fixed discount prices. No matter which kind of vision insurance you purchase, you can obtain specific eye care services and products, such as eye exams, contact lenses, eyeglasses and eyeglass frames. Besides, you can access to a network of eye care providers including optometrists and ophthalmologists. These services also include some vision correction procedures and refractive surgery, such as LASIK and PRK.

Pay close attention to value-added visual services

Some vision insurance plans also provide value-added eyewear products, such as progressive lenses, high-index lenses, polarized lenses, polycarbonate lenses, plastic photosensitive lenses and lenses applied with scratch-resistant coating and anti-reflective coating. It is worth mentioning that most vision insurance companies do not cover the services of powerful eyewear products. They only provide discounts on traditional prescription glasses and contact lenses. In this case, people who need treatment for serious eye problems and get a surgery should pay more attention to the services range set by their insurances. For instance, multifocal artificial lenses usually require out-of-pocket cost at the patient’s side.

Personal and family visual needs and budget are decisive

Before making a decision of the vision plan type, you should estimate your personal eye care needs. You can refer to your personal records to find out which services are most frequently used by yourself and your family members and which vision plan can provide most related and satisfying services and products. Cost is another important factor that should be under consideration. And you also need to pay attention to quality assurance mechanisms provided by the company.

Buy vision insurance individually or via your company

When you have evaluated personal visual needs and current budget, you can use Vision Plans–Benefits Comparison and Vision Plans–Price Comparison worksheets which provide enough information to decide which plan best meets your requirements. You can purchase a vision plan directly from an insurance company or just through your company or employer. In general, the former channel costs a higher premium and the latter usually brings benefits due to group coverage.