Insurance FAQs
Insurance FAQs
Do you know what your insurance plan covers? Have you kept up on the latest changes and benefits in your plan? Knowing what your insurance coverage includes can be confusing. That’s what we’re here for.
North Country Eye Care accepts a number of insurance plans that can help cover the cost of your eyecare needs. So don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we’re right in the West Lebanon, New Hampshire area, so you won’t have to go very far for top quality eye care.
Does My Insurance Cover Vision Care?
Most health insurance plans include coverage for basic vision services, such as routine eye exams, prescription eyewear, and general eye care. The cost can add up over time, especially if you have a large family or all of your family members need vision correction. That’s why it’s important that you know to whom you can turn for detailed information, questions, or concerns. We are here to help. Call us with your vision plan questions at 603-678-4759.
Does Vision Insurance Pay for Glasses or Contacts?
If you or your children wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, you should know that most insurance plans don’t cover them completely. Your plan may pay for a portion of the cost, or they may offer you a discount. Depending on your specific coverage, you may want to consider a second pair of glasses as a backup, especially for children and their active lifestyle.
For specific details of your policy, contact our office. We can check your existing plan and the status of any used or unused benefits. This can help maximize your coverage and give you a more affordable, convenient eyecare experience.
Is Vision Insurance the Same as Medical Insurance?
A vision insurance policy is different from medical insurance. Medical insurance plans typically cover eyecare costs for sudden eye injuries or disease. Vision insurance covers the cost of care for maintaining healthy vision. Similar to an annual checkup at your family doctor, routine eyecare is necessary to ensure that your eyes are healthy and to check for any signs of eye conditions or diseases.
In general, there are two types of vision insurance plans: Vision Benefits Packages and Vision Discount Plans.
Vision Benefits Packages
A vision benefits package is usually purchased as an extra service on top of a healthcare plan through your employer. It typically includes a fixed set of benefits for maintaining good eye health, such as regular eye exams, vision tests, discounts for eyewear for vision correction, and sometimes, eye surgeries at reduced cost. Vision benefits packages generally require you to use eye doctors who are part of the network of eyecare professionals in your vision plan.
Vision Discount Plans
A vision discount plan usually gives policy holders flat discounts on all vision care services. This generally includes eye exams, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and a number of eye surgeries. With a vision discount plan, you pay the difference in cost after the discount is applied, and the premiums are usually lower than in traditional benefit plans.
Similar to vision benefits packages, discount plans also require you to use doctors who are members of the insurance provider’s network of eyecare professionals.
How Can I Maximize My Vision Insurance?
The best way to get the most out of your vision insurance plan is to gain a thorough understanding of what it includes and what it does not include. It may seem overwhelming, but if you take the time to learn the details of your coverage, you’ll be able to maximize your benefits. Feel free to discuss this with Dr. Richard Stegen to see how we can best apply your insurance plan for your eye care expenses.
Another great way to tap into your plan’s coverage is to look at the existing health insurance plan you have. A sudden eye injury or diagnosis of certain eye diseases are usually covered by your medical plan. In these cases, you may not need to make use of your vision insurance.
Knowing the ins and outs of your insurance plans is the key to maximizing your benefits and managing your vision care costs. Of course, the helpful staff at North Country Eye Care are always available to help answer any questions.
How Do I Pay for Vision Insurance?
Paying for your vision coverage depends on the type of plan you have. If you have a plan through your employer, then you pay for it through either a flexible spending account or it may be automatically deducted from your paycheck.
A flexible spending account allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars for certain healthcare benefits. If you are self-employed, or your employer does not offer a vision insurance benefit, then you will likely receive a monthly or yearly bill for payment.
Does My Vision Insurance Expire?
Many benefits provided by a vision insurance plan expire at the end of the year. This means that if you don’t use the benefits, you lose them until the start of the new year. This restriction is commonly known as “use it or lose it.”
Most vision plans where you contribute money through a flexible spending account do not roll over to the next year. Any money that you’ve designated for your vision costs must be used in the same year, or you risk losing it completely.