What’s in Your Medical Insurance?
Medical insurance coverage varies and it’s worthwhile to find out how your plan works. Some plans require you to reach a certain minimum deductible before you receive any benefits, while others require a co-pay. Nevertheless, many medical insurance carriers cover medical eye health needs.
A good rule of thumb to know whether your eye and vision needs will be covered by your medical insurance is whether it is a medical eye complaint, rather than standard vision correction needs. A few symptoms that could be considered a medically necessary eye exam may include:
- Headaches
- Eye Strain
- Blurry Vision Not Related to Prescription
- Dryness & Irritation
- Pink Eye/Red Eye
- Eye Infections
- Eye Diseases (glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration)
- Eye emergency
- Dry Eyes
- Eye Allergies
- Diabetic Eye Disease
Medical insurance may cover an eye exam even if you feel something is abnormal or strange about your eyes. Only a professional like a local optometrist can identify the cause of your concerns or discomfort.
In addition to your medical insurance covering eye exams, treatments or medications for your eyes are covered by medical insurance, such as:
- Medical Eye Exams & Diagnostic Testing
- Advanced Contact Lenses
- Medicated Eye Drops
- Prescriptions
- Dilation
Is clear vision a medical necessity?
Likely not. Seeing clearly is something that allows us to enjoy our daily activities, but more often connected to vision insurance. If you feel our eyes are not focusing right for a separate reason, medical insurance could cover a visit to an eye doctor.
Medical insurances will not cover a request for a new pair of glasses or contact lenses. If you want a yearly eye exam and a fresh new pair of glasses, many utilize a low-cost vision plan to be more cost-effective.