Use Your Health Savings Account to Buy Glasses Online

This morning at work we had a presentation on health care plan options. With rate increases, our company is making us switch plans or pay out-of-pocket for the deductible on the existing plans. One of the options we are looking at is a high-deductible plan in combination with an HSA (Health Savings Account).

If you have not heard of a Health Savings Account, you will soon, as they are becoming increasingly popular. The concept for an HSA plan is two fold: a high-deductible health insurance plan is combined with a special tax-deductible savings account, called an HSA, or Health Savings Account. First, a high-deductible insurance plan means that the first $1000-$3000 (depending on the plan) of any medical service, often with the exception of annual physicals and other preventative care (which are covered with a small co-payment), is paid for entirely by the individual. The insurer does not begin paying until the deductible has been met, after which the insured individual is not required to pay anything.

But from where is an employee supposed to get this $1000-$3000 to meet deductible payments?

Enter the HSA. The IRS has set up these special accounts as such that all contributions are completely tax-free (as a "top-line" deduction, itemizing not required) and the money in the account can be used to fund any health-related expenses, including eyewear, vision, dental, acupuncture and other services typically not covered by your primary health provider. Because high-deductible health plans offer significant savings compared to traditional plans, your employer will possibly use part of the difference to fund your HSA, essentially putting money in your pocket!

Back to my company, the presentation on our health insurance options resulted in an interesting discussion. The company will be paying the premium on a high-deductible health plan and contributing $500 annually to my Health Savings Account. I'm young, healthy, and rarely see the Doctor, so this will essentially be $500 in my pocket to use on future medical expenses. Something particularly appealing about the HSA plan is that I could use my Health Savings Account to buy glasses online! This is a huge step away from the paradigm of the insurer paying ridiculous prices to the eye doctor for glasses. Because my employer has agreed to contribute $500/year into my HSA, for the first time ever, my glasses will cost me nothing out of pocket and the cost of eyeglasses will go towards my deductible! But I'll still have the incentive to go with the most cost-effective route (thereby using less from my account), so I'll buy my glasses online with the HSA debit card.

For the budget-conscious do-it-yourself type, the HSA really works out great. So, if you have a health savings account, use it to buy glasses online! It is a qualifying expense , so just save the receipt in your health expense file. Tax-free eyewear for under $100.

Why You Should Have Vision Insurance   Vision Insurance and Prescription Glasses   Where to Get Individual Vision Insurance   Understanding Vision Health Insurance Before You Purchase a Plan   Vision Insurance Plans - What Should You Keep an Eye Out For   Vision Insurance Information for Your Family   

Vision Insurance Providers Protect Your Eyes and Your Pocketbook

Your eyes are important. Without your vision, you would be.....blind. Don't make the mistake of thinking that vision insurance only covers glasses. There are plenty of conditions you should be insured against. But, even if you never have a horrible disease, your vision coverage will provide you with eye prescriptions like glasses or contact lenses helping to reduce the costs you will have to endure yourself. In addition, you will have the security which regular examinations will provide.

Being regularly screened for things like glaucoma can increase the chances for early detection of various conditions which in turn can reduce the severity of problems those conditions might cause. Vision insurance is one of those things that many people think of as a luxury, but some fortunate souls are saved from blindness as a result of the increased medical attention they receive due to having more frequent visits.

When you visit an optometrist, you'll find the environment relaxing and peaceful. Usually their office will have carpet and comfortable furniture. After completing your initial paperwork you'll sit in a darkened room and read eye charts to determine you current vision level. When you look through the optometry machine it with the assistance of it's human operator will try several combinations of lenses until the perfect solution is found for you. You will also be checked for an astigmatism which means a cornea that is not perfectly shaped. Astigmatisms cause terrible eye strain that over the counter reading glasses cannot correct.

Your eyes are something you don't want to take a chance with. Take care of them, and they'll take care of you. This way, you can keep on seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Consider some of your vision insurance options. There are many fine companies that want your business. I'll be happy to show you a few.

Why You Should Have Vision Insurance   Vision Insurance and Prescription Glasses   Where to Get Individual Vision Insurance   Understanding Vision Health Insurance Before You Purchase a Plan   Vision Insurance Plans - What Should You Keep an Eye Out For   

Are Prescription Glasses Covered by Insurance?

Many people wonder if the cost of their prescription glasses is covered by their insurance plan. The answer is that it varies tremendously from plan to plan. Before you pay out of your own pocket for prescription glasses, take a look at your plan to determine whether or not you have vision coverage.

What Most Insurance Plans Cover

Most medical insurance plans cover losses of vision and finances due to eye injury or disease. In other words, if your eye is damaged in a car accident and you require the services of an eye doctor, it will be covered. Most medical insurance plans do not cover typical "wellness" care for your eyes, such as prescription glasses and routine eye exams, unless the plan has a vision insurance policy attached to it.

Adding Vision Insurance

If you are part of a group insurance plan, you may have the option to add vision insurance to your policy. This is usually considered a value-added benefit that is attached to a traditional health insurance structure. Whether you have indemnity health insurance, an HMO, or a PPO, you may have the opportunity to add vision insurance. By adding this coverage, you will be able to access a network of eye care providers and specialists, as well as coverage and discounts on your routine eye care. This usually includes the cost of prescription glasses.

Paying for Vision Insurance

Adding a vision benefits package to your health insurance adds an annual premium amount. You may also have a deductible that you have to meet before the insurance will cover your eye care. Typically, the premium will be an amount up to $144 a year, and the maximum deductible is typically under $40. Each plan is different, so be sure to read the fine print, but you will pay more for this coverage if you pay for your own health insurance. Some companies provide this as part of their overall healthcare benefits, so read your policy to see if you are covered.

In general, those with vision insurance will receive:

- A yearly eye exam - Eyeglass lenses and frames - Contacts - LASIK discounts

Some providers will put limits on their coverage, such as only allowing the insured to get new glasses or contacts every other year. They also may put a limit on the amount they will pay for frames, which means you will pay a little out of your pocket if you want designer frames.

Tips for Using Vision Insurance

Before you schedule an appointment, check with your benefits information packet to see what doctors are covered. Remember, you will need to use a doctor in your network if you want to be covered. If you need to see a doctor who is not in your network, you may still be able to have your prescription glasses covered by filling your prescription elsewhere, but you will have to pay out of pocket for your exam.

When it is time for your eye exam, make sure you talk to your optometrist about your insurance. Most policies require the doctor to seek pre-authorization before they treat you if you are going to be covered. If this is necessary, have the doctor make the necessary calls before your appointment.

When you arrive for your appointment, present your vision insurance card. You will be asked to pay any deductibles or co-pays associated with the coverage you have. After your exam, the doctor or his staff will help you choose frames. If you have limits on the amount you can spend for frames, make sure you are looking at covered options.

If you are lucky enough to have prescription glasses coverage, make sure you take advantage of it as often as you are allowed. This will ensure that you have updated glasses as often as you need them, helping you see the world around you clearly.

Why You Should Have Vision Insurance   Vision Insurance and Prescription Glasses   Where to Get Individual Vision Insurance   Understanding Vision Health Insurance Before You Purchase a Plan   

Vision Insurance is Something You Need to Look Into

Have you looked into your medical insurance policy lately? Does it cover such things as; Lasik eye surgery, glasses or catastrophic eye problems? Most medical policies do not have these coverages. Even the best medical coverage policies do not always cover such things. Perhaps you need to look into vision insurance and see if you can get the coverage you may need in case of problems with your eyes.

Of course you will need to talk to an expert insurance and it is best to talk with someone before such issues with your vision arise. One eye insurance policy I looked into had a monthly membership fee which was nominal and low deductibles too. I asked my insurance person about this and she told me she had even a better plan that what I had found searching on the Internet, which tells me that shopping around makes a lot of sense.

First, review your current medical policy, then study what is available on the Internet a little and then once you have a pretty good handle on it write down a list of serious questions to ask and get the answers you need from an insurance expert.

Sometimes employer medical plans include such things, but not always and for us self-employed folks well we are clearly on our own when it comes to such things, but we must not forget our eyes.

Running a business blind is truly visionless indeed. I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

Why You Should Have Vision Insurance   Vision Insurance and Prescription Glasses   Where to Get Individual Vision Insurance   Understanding Vision Health Insurance Before You Purchase a Plan   

Benefits of Individual Vision Insurance

Individual vision insurance can provide a range of benefits. However, very few people actually utilize it and end up paying hundreds of dollars every year on expensive optical instruments and doctor visits. This often misunderstood insurance policy can be easily coupled with your regular health insurance policy for a tiny amount but can yielf great benefits.

Individual vision insurance is a special policy designed specifically to take care of eye health. While a health plan might cover general hospital visits, a vision plan caters specifically to eye doctors and optometrists. You are required to pay a monthly or annual premium for the policy in return for the benefits.

The people who can benefit from vision insurance the most are, of course, those who wear glasses or contacts regularly, or have other eye problems. Of course, even if you have perfect eye health but are interested in getting regular eye check-ups done, such an insurance policy will quite beneficial too.

Since the premium attached to a vision insurance policy is usually quite low (around $15 for most policies), you'll find that it pays for itself on an annual basis, even if you scarcely visit the eye doctor. It is no secret that regular doctor visits and prescription glasses can put a significant strain on your wallet. A pair of prescription glasses along with quality frames can cost you several hundred dollars. An individual vision insurance policy can cut down these costs by providing cover for visits to the optometrist.

The prevalent misconception that perhaps prevents people from getting this insurance is that it provides cover only for annual doctor visits and not any unexpected eye health issues. This is largely untrue, however. While the benefits of different policies will vary, in most policies, there is adequate cover for visits to opthalmologists, optometrists, and in some cases, even eye surgeons. A few specially designed policies can even take care of very expensive procedures such as LASIK, cataract surgery, etc. In other words, whatever your requirement, you can get a policy that fits your needs at a marginal cost.

Why You Should Have Vision Insurance   Vision Insurance and Prescription Glasses   Where to Get Individual Vision Insurance   Understanding Vision Health Insurance Before You Purchase a Plan   Vision Insurance Plans - What Should You Keep an Eye Out For   Vision Insurance Information for Your Family   

Vision Insurance Plan - How To Choose Eye Insurance Plans

If you are among the estimated 50% of American who wear prescription contact lenses or eye glasses, a vision insurance plan can help you with the costs. A good vision plan can help you pay for your eye exam, contacts and glasses. Some employers offer a benefit package or discount plan to their employees, but you can also find one and pay for it yourself. In the long run, it can be well worth the cost.

What is an Eye Insurance Plan?

An eye insurance plan is not like regular health insurance. It is a wellness benefit that either provides a discounted rate for vision services such as eye exams, contacts and glasses or it helps offset the costs of these services. You can get vision insurance in one of two different types:

Vision Benefits Package Vision Discount Plan

A vision benefits package is much like insurance coverage in that is covers vision services. Sometimes you may be required to pay a co-payment at the time of the service or purchase of your contacts or glasses. Your benefits package pays the balance.

A vision discount plan is different from a vision benefits package in that you pay for the full services, but it is at a lower, discounted rate that has been agreed upon by the network provider. Through a discount plan, you are given a list of network providers who have agreed to charge the discounted prices per the plan. Often, there are also specific eye care services that are included in the plan so review prospective plans to make sure that the one you choose meets your needs.

Benefits of a Vision Insurance Plan

Eye insurance plans can be very beneficial, particularly if you have vision problems. You can save money on vision services and even eye glasses and contacts. An eye insurance plan can offset the sometimes substantial costs of vision care. Eye glasses alone can cost more than $200, but with a vision plan you can cut that cost by 50% or more.

You can get individual plans or plans that cover the entire family. They can be particularly helpful in saving money if you cover your children as they can sometimes go through several pair of eye glasses in a year.

Choosing the Right Vision Plan

If you think that a vision insurance company could have some benefits to offer, it is important that you find the right plan for your needs. Carefully review the benefits that are offered, what is covered, how often you can get an eye exam and how many pair of eye glasses or contact lenses you can get within a year or a six month period.

You can conduct an online search for vision insurance plans or even find a site that allows you to compare different companies by their benefits. You also want to make sure that you vision plan falls within your budget. It does you no good and you won't save much if you go broke paying for the plan.

Why You Should Have Vision Insurance   Vision Insurance and Prescription Glasses   Where to Get Individual Vision Insurance   Understanding Vision Health Insurance Before You Purchase a Plan