WHAT DOES VISION INSURANCE COVER?

Vision insurance is supplemental coverage specifically for eyecare that covers routine checkups, partially covering the cost of glasses or contacts, and even helps cover the cost of procedures like LASIK and PRK. As far as healthcare costs go, an eye checkup might not seem like too much of a burden, but for a family or those wanting access to more premium lenses, the numbers add up quickly.

HOW MUCH DOES VISION INSURANCE COST?

Vision insurance is usually quite a bit cheaper than you might expect and is offered by many employers and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Even for the self-employed, coverage can make a lot of financial sense if you typically spend big bucks on eyecare each year.

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS?

Like health insurance, there are certain restrictions that are important to understand, such as in- and out-of-network care. That means people have to make sure they're getting the care they want—especially if they already have an eyecare provider they want to stick with—and be aware that out-of-network charges can be steep. Then it's a matter of ensuring the deductibles and co-pays match up with expectations and carefully examining benefits to see what's covered and what's not.

HOW TO COMPARE PLANS

A list of many of the country's biggest vision insurance providers can be found online to help comparison shop for an individual plan; though as vision coverage becomes more common, it's probably worth a check-in with your HR provider first.