How to Use Your Vision Insurance Wisely: Maximizing Savings and Care

Posted: March 13, 2024

How to Use Your Vision Insurance Wisely: Maximizing Savings and Care

Vision insurance can help you save on eye exams, glasses and contact lenses — if you use your plan wisely. Learn how to maximize your plan’s benefits, whether you have VSP, EyeMed or another type of vision coverage.

1. Review Your Vision Insurance Benefits

The first step to using your benefits is understanding what your plan covers. That way, you can determine how eye care fits your budget and how often you can use your insurance. For example, you can use your VSP benefits once a year if you want coverage for an exam.

It’s best to check your member benefits to see what your specific plan will cover in a year.

2. Consider Your Needs

What is your reason for needing an eye appointment? If you’re ready to use VSP benefits to order contacts or get new glasses, your vision insurance will come in handy. Vision insurance typically offers allowances to help cover the cost of these helpful products.

However, if you’re concerned about a medical issue with your eyes, you may need to visit your primary care doctor. This doctor can diagnose problems like eye infections or diseases, and your regular health insurance can help cover the cost.

3. Find a Local In-Network Provider

If you choose an in-network provider, you’ll pay less out of pocket and won’t have to submit a claim. By contrast, using an out-of-network provider will likely cost more, and you may have to submit an insurance claim to get reimbursed for vision care services.

You can search for your in-network providers by visiting your plan’s website or calling its member services number. Choose an in-network provider close to you to save on time and transportation costs.

4. Get an Annual Exam

Vision insurance typically covers the cost of an annual eye exam if performed by an in-network provider. You may have to pay a $10, $15 or similar copay, but that should be the extent of the cost for the exam. As a result, it’s worth getting your eyes checked at least once a year if you’re already paying for insurance.

5. Take Advantage of Discounts

Visit your plan’s site and learn about discounts and offers available to its members. For example, VSP encourages members to book eye exams at VSP Premier Edge locations. These locations offer special offers, like getting rebates and saving money on contact lenses.

You can also check out brands VSP is promoting to save on frames. For instance, you might get more allowance to spend on featured products or save on a second pair of glasses if you buy them from an in-network provider within a specific time frame.

Learn More About Your Vision Insurance Options

If you need corrective lenses, vision insurance can help reduce vision care costs. The biggest way to save is to ensure you understand your member benefits and visit an in-network provider.

Do you have questions about how to obtain vision insurance in California? Our representatives can help. Contact us to learn more about the vision insurance companies Covered California has partnered with. If you’re interested in enrolling for a Covered California health insurance plan, our application process makes it easy.