Many eye doctors occupy space in two distinct realms. This does not mean dual citizenship or superhero origins. Rather, it means that eye doctors can participate in insurance plans that cover routine vision care and plans which cover medical eye care.
For many, the start of a new year also means changes in insurance benefits. Consumers naturally want to use their benefits in a manner that is most advantageous but doing so can be challenging and confusing. Some plans renew at the beginning of the calendar year while others go year-to-date from the previous date of service for certain benefits. Some plans allow for out-of-network care but some of those have reduced benefits or a separate deductible. Many consumers are unsure about the difference between vision plans vs. insurance for medical eye care and which plan may be used for their eye care needs.
Routine vision care benefits are those for which you pay an add-on fee in addition to your medical insurance premium for benefits not covered under your medical plan such as annual eye exams where your eyes and vision are evaluated and corrective lenses are prescribed. Vision plans also have hardware benefits for new frames, eyeglass lenses or contact lenses.
Medical insurance covers visits to the eye doctor for problems such as eye injuries, eye infections, visual disturbances not related to glasses or contacts and for medical conditions that affect they eyes like dry eyes, ocular allergies, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, retinal defects and so forth.
Many people do not seek care for medical eye problems because they mistakenly think that they need a vision plan to see the eye doctor. However, if the problem has a medical basis then the regular health plan will cover medical care for eyes, just as it would for any other health problem anywhere else on or in the body.
The world can be a confusing place. The approach to your care at Valley Eye Care is simple and the fees for eye care are the same for equivalent services whether patients are self-pay or insured. And remember, if you have health insurance, medical eye care is covered even if you do not have a separate vision plan. For care that is not covered by insurance or where insurance benefits are not applicable, Valley Eye Care's fees are very competitive. If you have questions about your eyes and how to best meet your eye care needs or the needs of your loved ones, give us a call at (208) 522-2839. The affiliate Optical staff is well-versed in helping patients learn about the provisions and limitations of their insurance plan(s) prior to receiving any services and other considerations detected during an examination may also help ensure that third-party coverage is used appropriately.