Vision
Insurance - What Is Vision Insurance?
A vision insurance
plan differs from regular health insurance because
it is a wellness benefit that helps defray costs of
eye exams, eyewear, and other vision services. In this
section, you'll also learn what you can expect to pay
for vision insurance coverage.
Potentially high costs
of regular eye examinations and prescription eyewear
can be of real concern, especially for large families.
You might be able to defray at least some of these
costs by looking into acquiring vision insurance
for yourself or better understanding the plan your
company already provides.
First, you must
understand that vision insurance only
supplements regular health insurance. Regular health
insurance plans protect you against financial losses
due to unexpected eye injury or disease. Vision
insurance, on the other hand, is a wellness
benefit designed to provide routine, preventive eye
care such as eye exams, eyewear, and other services at
a reduced cost.
Vision
Insurance - Vision Insurance Providers
Typically, vision
insurance or benefits companies are preferred
provider organizations (PPOs). A vision insurance
PPO contracts with a network of eye care professionals
that includes optometrists, ophthalmologists, eyewear
outlets, contact lens manufacturers, and optical
laboratories to provide services to vision plan
members at fixed rates. These rates sometimes can be
reduced significantly below posted retail prices.
A vision insurance
PPO usually offers access to both network and
out-of-network providers. Vision plan members
are asked to pay a small co-pay, $10-$15, at the time
each network service is rendered.
Vision plan
members electing to use out-of-network providers are
required to pay the full bill at the time of service.
Afterward, they can request reimbursement from the vision
insurance company. Out-of-network provider
services usually are more expensive than network
services.
Many vision
insurance and benefits companies belong to the
National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP),
which represents the vision insurance industry.
This association's goal is to provide a forum for
communication, as well as improve quality of managed
care in terms of standards and credentials.
NAVCP's membership is
comprised of companies that manage networks of vision
care providers, participate in contracting, and market
and administer vision care plans. These companies may
also be involved in credentialing and processing
claims.
