Vision Savings Benefit vs Medical Insurance Plan

Optometrists can prescribe glasses, contacts but also prescription oral or eye medication, so we are able to accept two types of plans. A patient, with no medical eye issues who just wants to check their vision and have a physical for their eye health, will have their vision savings benefit charged by the Optometrist.

However, if a patient enters an examination with concerns related to medical eye problems (e.g redness, new onset heightened light sensitivity, discharge, pain or irritation of eyes etc.) then their medical insurance plan will be charged and the patient will pay a copay under “Specialist” or “Office Visit” that day.

Just like when you see your primary care physician, every follow up visit related directly to your initial medical eye complaint, you pay your required copay – which is a regulation set by your medical insurance company. Once your eyes have been treated and returned to its healthy state, the optometrist will perform the comprehensive vision and eye exam and bill your vision savings benefit plan.

Vision Savings Benefit Plan

Often misleadingly referred to as a vision insurance, vision savings benefit plans are actually plans where the company that offers it provides significant discount towards the purchase of either glasses or contacts, but in most cases not both. Since you pay for your Vision Savings Benefit Plan out of your paycheck on a regular basis it is to your benefit to use the savings given to you towards a new pair of glasses or contacts annually. This is an opportunity to acquire better quality frames and lenses at a significant discount!

This is also an opportunity to acquire a second pair, such as prescription sunglasses, and specialized lens for computer work, specialized lenses for night driving or even for sports! Do not waste your Vision Savings Benefit. Use it or lose it!

Contact Lens Fit and Annual Contact Lens Evaluation

Unlike, non-contact lens wearer, a patient who wears contacts requires extra attention and chair time when the optometrist performs a first time fit and at the patient’s annual contact lens evaluation. As a result there is a separate additional fee for this service. The fees are tiered based on the complexity of the prescription and patient’s visual needs. Contact lens fitting can range from a simple non-astigmatism soft daily lens to a rigid gas permeable customized lens for a patient that has a medical corneal condition or irregularity from injury. The more complex the prescription or patient’s needs, the higher the service fees.

After your initial fit of contacts we must analyze your corneal condition and the fit of the contacts on an annual basis. The reality is that many patients become less compliant with the proper use of their contacts over time. Without an annual checkup on the condition of their eyes, the risk of an eye infection that can cause permanent scarring to the cornea increases and it simply is not worth it! After all we can all agree– Vision for Life. A Clear Choice.

In addition to extra chair time to carefully assess the contact lens patient’s cornea and to gather information about how they care about their contacts, technology in the contact lens world moves quickly! There are always new and improved contact lenses that may be more suitable for your eyes and lifestyle. By having your contact lens evaluation done annually you get first hand opportunity to acquire the newest and latest contact lens technology!

Do not take your vision for granted, especially when wearing contacts. It is imperative to have a good quality back up pair of glasses (we call it back up eyes) so that it will promote a better balance of contact lens wear and glasses wear and if you have an eye condition, where contacts are contraindicated, you save yourself a lot of stress and trouble.

It is very stressful and inconvenient for you if the doctor feels that contacts are unsafe for your eyes at a particular time and you have an old pair of 3+ yr old glasses that you do not like, are broken, and cannot see out of properly. Worse yet, not owning any glasses at all! The risk to your vision is just not worth it. Consider using your vision savings benefit towards a good back up pair of glasses, after all vision savings plans are designed to give you a better discount off our glasses than your contacts.

Call to Learn More

To learn more about vision savings plans or to schedule an eye exam in Lorton VA, give Clearfinity Eyecare Optometrist a call today at (703) 293-5222.