Most people agree that health insurance is a must-have. However, when it comes to vision insurance, some may wonder if there is actual value in having it. Vision problems are one of the most common conditions Americans live with. In fact, 12 million adults over the age of 40 suffer from some type of vision impairment. Additionally, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s estimated that by 2030, people experiencing blindness or visual impairment will double unless corrective actions are taken.
Having and using vision insurance benefits helps you stay on top of vision problems and may help detect potentially serious conditions early. Read on to learn more about what vision insurance is and why vision insurance is incredibly valuable.
What is vision insurance?
Vision insurance helps reduce the cost of eye exams, eyeglasses and contacts. Like other types of insurance, you can get vision insurance through your employer or by purchasing an individual vision plan. Employer-sponsored vision benefits often come with various plans and coverage options and is typically made available during open enrollment periods each year. If your employer doesn’t offer vision as a benefit, you can choose an individual plan that fits your coverage needs. You can explore vision plans from Delta Dental here.
Vision insurance vs. health insurance
Knowing when to use your vision insurance and when to use your health insurance can be a little tricky. Often, your health insurance covers medical conditions like eye injuries and eye diseases. According to Associates in Eye Care, health insurance is also likely used to cover medical issues such as vision loss, cataracts, floaters, dry eyes, allergies, infections, eye disease or eye exams for complications from diabetes.
Vision insurance covers routine vision-related problems. Vision insurance benefits individuals with refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia that require an exam performed by an eye doctor in order to purchase corrective lenses. It is also beneficial for individuals who want to regularly check their vision by seeing an optometrist for an eye exam.
In general, most vision insurance plans include the following benefits:
- Annual vision exams
- Eyeglass frames
- Eyeglass lenses
- Contact lenses
- Contact lens fitting
Value of vision insurance
If you already have health insurance, you might think you don’t need supplemental vision coverage. However, when you consider the services and discounts you get with a vision plan that you would otherwise pay out of pocket for, you’ll see that vision insurance is worth it!
Discounted services: With your vision plan, you likely get discounted vision exams, glasses and contacts. According to Vision Service Plan, the national average cost for an eye exam is $206. If your basic vision plan reduces cost by 30%, but only costs five dollars per month, you’re already saving $145 with just the eye exam—and that’s not considering the additional savings you’ll receive on glasses and contacts.
Vision preservation: If you wear contacts or glasses, you know your prescription may change over time. Annual trips to the optometrist are vital to get your prescription checked and avoid any damage. Even if you don’t wear corrective lenses, eye exams are essential for preserving your vision and safeguarding your eye health.
Catch diseases: Even if you are among the minority of Americans who don’t wear glasses or contacts, there are some diseases your optometrist routinely screens for. Regular check-ups can help detect diseases and injuries like the ones below:
- High cholesterol
- Glaucoma
- Some forms of cancer
- Diabetes
Low monthly premium: Vision plans are typically low in cost. For individuals needing annual exams, contacts or eyewear, this small monthly cost is worth the amount they save with the reduced costs. Learn more about Delta Dental vision plans to see which is right for you.
