How to Hack your Vision Plan
If you have a vision plan, you might be aware that they serve one purpose: to provide one routine eye exam per year and a pair of lenses or contacts. A standard vision plan covers almost nothing beyond that. You will likely be handed off to your medical insurance for anything beyond that standard of care. Vision plans are not “insurance,” but an odd type of savings plan for a yearly exam and glasses. Once you are enrolled into a vision plan, you are directed to an in-network doctor’s office to get your exam and buy glasses or contacts. Simply put, the doctors are required by the vision plans to jack up the price so they can give you a discount. If this sounds like a scam, it is.
There is a way to “hack” your vision plan though, to get better eyewear at a better value. Whether you have a vision plan or none at all, there are a few resources you can utilize to ensure you receive the best value.
- You have a vision plan
You, or your employer, paid real money into the plan so you will want to use it one more time before dropping it during open enrollment. Here’s how:
Use Your Out-of-Network Coverage
If you shop for eyewear from a brand which does not participate in in-network vision plan discounting, then you will come out ahead. You can often find very similar (or better) pricing to an in-network doctor’s office, if you utilize a reimbursement option. It can often be hard to find your available out-of-network reimbursement though. Fortunately, our team is here to help. At David Kind, you can chat with an optician on our team to find out if you are eligible for a reimbursement. Our team can look into what reimbursements might be available to you, depending on your insurance and vision plan. If you want to see if your vision plan might qualify, email us here at optician@davidkind.com or check coverage here.
- You don’t have a vision plan
Great! You are a part of a needed change in the eyewear industry. If you still have a Vision Plan though, you might find the below information helpful when deciding if you or your employer should drop this from your insurance coverage.
Tell your Optometrist you don’t have Insurance/a Vision plan
The majority of Optometrists are tired of Vision Plans. If they didn’t need them to acquire patients, then they’d likely drop them. You can ask if your optometrist offers pricing alternatives for services or products for patients without vision plans.
Use your Medical Insurance
Most people don’t know this, but most medical plans will cover your eye exam if you have a condition like: dry eyes, infection, corneal disorders, diabetes, a lazy eye, cataracts, glaucoma suspect, double vision, etc. If you suspect you may have one of these conditions, make sure you tell your doctor this when booking your exam. If you are responsible for anything out of pocket, it will only be for your eyeglass prescription, not the exam. It should also be at a reduced rate.
Use your Flexible Spending or Health Savings Account
If your employer offers a FSA or HSA, and you take advantage of it, you will be placing a portion of your income into an account tax-free. If your income tax rate is 30%, then you are basically receiving $30 for free, for every $100 put in. This can be used for your eye exam, your glasses, lenses, your prescription sunglasses, contacts, and many other things.
Finally, Purchase Glasses From Direct Eyewear Brands
The key element to hacking vision insurance plans is to shop brands which do not participate in the in-network “discounting” scam. They provide simple transparent pricing. Not all eyewear is created equal, so make sure you know what you are buying.
At David Kind, we focus on creating the finest eyewear at an honest price. To do so, we’ve partnered with the best eyewear manufacturers from Sabae, Japan and Cadore, Italy, and offer our frames direct to clients through a patented home try-on experience. While our prices might be higher than what is available at in-network offices, our frames are intended to last for years — thanks to our premium materials and exceptionally skilled craftsmen. Plus, David Kind offers a 10 year warranty to ensure your frames can last you a decade. We also offer support to help make your ordering process go smoothly. Please reach out with any questions to optician@davidkind.com