Medical vs Vision Insurance

What does vision insurance cover?
Most vision insurance plans include the following benefits: 

• Annual Vision exams with no medical complaints or underlying medical eye conditions.

• Refraction for glasses

• Eyeglass frames 

• Eyeglass lenses 

• Contact lenses 

Check with your plan to see if your benefits cover you once every year or once every two years. Eyeglass frames and lenses and contact lenses can usually be purchased at a discount, but not every plan has this benefit. 

 

What does my vision insurance NOT cover? 
Vision plans do not cover any part of an eye exam considered “medical”. For example, vision insurance will not cover vision loss, floaters, dry eyes, allergies, infections, eye disease, or eye exams for complication from diabetes. If you need medication the doctor will not be able to give you a prescription if you are using a vision insurance. 
Additionally, some vision insurance plans do not cover contact lens fittings (for first time wearers or established wearers that need to switch to a new brand) or yearly contact lens evaluations. 
What kinds of Vision insurance plans are available? 
Typical vision insurance plans include benefits in exchange for a yearly fee. Just like your medical insurance, this means that you may have a yearly deductible and/or copays for exams and other services. 

 

When do I use my medical insurance at the eye doctor’s office? 
Your medical insurance is usually billed if you have an eye problem or eye disease or if any medical condition is present that causes your eye problems. Some common conditions for which we will bill your medical insurance include: 

• Patients with complaints of vision loss, floaters, dry eyes, allergies, infections, etc. Monitoring cataract development, annual examination of patients with diabetes or other medical conditions that cause eye related diseases.

• Examination of patients using medications with potential eye side effects, such as steroid medications, arthritis medications such as plaquenil, etc. 

• Patients that have underlying eye diseases such as diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts etc.

When you call in to make your next appointment with the eye doctor, make sure to explain the purpose of your visit so that we can advise you of the appropriate insurance. Additionally, please always bring your insurance card(s) with you to every appointment. 
Most medical insurance plans will not cover refraction for eyeglass prescription. If you want an eyeglass prescription during a medical eye visit the fee will be $50.00.

 

Will Medicare cover my eye exam for new glasses or contact lenses? 
Medicare does not cover routine eye exams where your glasses or contact lens prescription is checked. Medicare will only pay for eye exams relating to medical complaints or underlying medical conditions. 

 

Can I use my vision insurance and my medical insurance for a joint exam on the same day? 
No. By law, we cannot bill two different types of insurance on one day. There are two alternatives. 
First, we can address your medical eye issue(s) on one visit and address your vision or refractive needs on a seperate visit, this will allow you to utilize both your medical and vision insurance plans. 
If you need to schedule your medical and refraction exam on the same day, another option is billing your medical insurance for the medical exam (don’t forget, this may include a copayment/coinsurance at the time of your visit) and paying the additional flat rate for a refraction ($50.00). 

 

Why is insurance so complicated? 
Good question! We don’t make the rules, we just follow them. You can call the phone number on the back of your insurance card or look up your insurance policy details online. Ultimately it is your responsibility to understand the policies of your insurance companies, both medical and vision. Please call us if you have any remaining questions.