Does your company offer vision insurance? If not, you may think that it’s too expensive to consider getting a regular eye exam or even updating your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription. You’d be wrong!
Can I really afford eye care if I don’t have insurance?
Yes! The good news is that at America’s Best, you’ll find eye care, contact lenses and prescription glasses that are affordable. In some cases, America’s Best deals even beat what a vision insurance company would offer in terms of benefits. In other words, you would pay more for your exam and eyeglasses if you used your insurance than if you didn’t at America’s Best store! That’s how great America’s Best’s prices really are.
My company offers vision insurance, but at a cost? Should I get it?
If you are thinking of adding vision coverage, I’d figure out exactly what that coverage will get you. If you have special vision problems or conditions, then adding insurance could certainly be a big help to your total bill. If your vision is healthy and you’ll only need an annual exam and some new frames every year or so, then vision insurance may not be the best deal for you.
I have a Flex Spending Account. Can I use it to pay for my eye exam?
If you have a Flexible Spending Account as part of, or instead of, regular healthcare benefits, you can most likely use it to pay for your eye examination, new glasses or contact lenses. As long as the expenses are deemed medical in nature (i.e. fashion glasses without a prescription will most likely be excluded!), the expense should be allowed. Your FSA funds may have expired Dec. 31, but some companies have extensions on spending, possibly even through March. Check with your employer on your FSA dollar expiration date.
What if I don’t have insurance for my children’s vision coverage?
Every state has different rules on vision coverage for children. In some states, annual eye examinations are a medical expense and may be billed to whichever insurer covers your children’s medical health. You may not need separate vision coverage for your children depending on where you live.
If you are truly in need, you may also want to check into your state’s Medicaid program and see what kind of vision assistance they can offer for uninsured children.