Insurance can be confusing, especially when it comes to eye care. You might be asking yourself if your eye exam or a sudden eye issue is covered and whether to use vision or medical insurance. Both types of insurance help with eye care costs, but they serve different purposes. Understanding how each one works can help you get the most out of your benefits and avoid any unexpected costs.
What vision insurance covers
Vision insurance focuses on routine eye care and eyewear. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, this plan can make your annual exams and prescription updates more affordable. Most plans cover yearly eye exams to keep your vision sharp and your prescription current. They often include allowances or discounts for frames, lenses, and contacts. Some plans also help with lens enhancements like anti-reflective coatings or blue light filters.
What medical insurance covers
Medical insurance covers eye care related to health conditions, diseases, and injuries. It applies if you have an eye infection, sudden vision changes, or need treatment for conditions like dry eye, cataracts, or glaucoma. It also covers diabetic eye exams, emergency visits for eye pain or vision loss, and procedures like cataract surgery.
How to know which insurance to use
The type of insurance you use depends on the reason for your visit. For a comprehensive eye exam to check your vision and update your prescription, you would use your vision plan. But if you’re experiencing eye pain, irritation, or sudden vision changes or need ongoing treatment for an eye disease, medical insurance will likely cover the visit.
In some cases, both types of insurance might be used together. For example, if you have glaucoma, medical insurance covers your treatment, but vision insurance might still help with glasses costs if your prescription changes.
Making the most of your insurance at Integrity Eye Care
If you’re unsure which plan applies to your visit, our team at Integrity Eye Care is here to assist you. We accept a range of vision and medical insurance plans, along with flexible payment plan options with Cherry and CareCredit.
Have any questions or need to schedule an eye exam in Murfreesboro, TN? Give us a call or request an appointment online. We’re dedicated to keeping your eyes healthy and your vision clear!
