Vision care plan inclusions can be confusing at first. If your coverage is through an employer, start by reviewing your HR materials, insurance company documents, or the plan website. These sources explain what your vision insurance specifics cover and what is not included.

In general, there are two main types of vision insurance plans:

Vision Benefits Package
This type of plan is usually offered as an add-on to health insurance. It covers routine eye exam insurance benefits, testing, and discounts for corrective eyewear. Some packages may also include partial coverage for eye surgery. These plans work through networks of participating optometrists and eye doctors.

Many plans today include defined contribution options. With these, you select services or discount options based on your expected eye health plan features. Contributions are often handled with pre-tax dollars through Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Cafeteria Plans, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), or Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs). Each option has its own tax rules, so it’s best to confirm with your provider or a tax professional.

Vision Discount Plans
Unlike benefit packages, these provide flat discounts across many services. They may reduce costs for eye exams, prescription lens coverage, eyeglasses, contact lens coverage, or even some surgeries. You pay the balance, but premiums are usually lower than with benefit packages. Like benefit plans, these also require you to use in-network providers for full savings.

To get the most from your comprehensive vision plans, understand exactly what is covered and what is not. For example, vision plans usually cover routine exams, eyeglass frames, and contact lenses, but unexpected injuries or certain diseases may fall under your standard medical insurance.

It’s important to discuss your vision insurance specifics with your Nashville eye care professional. Together, you can plan how to use your optometry insurance perks toward exams, eyewear reimbursement plans, or other vision care needs.