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Make the Most of Your End-of-Year Insurance Benefits

happy family at the optical store

As the end of the year approaches, now is the perfect time to review your insurance benefits and ensure you’re making the most of them before they reset. Many insurance plans operate on a “use it or lose it” basis, meaning unused benefits don’t roll over into the new year. Below, our Philadelphia eye care team at Fox Chase Family Eye Care discusses the difference between vision and medical insurance, and how you can maximize your benefits for eye care and maintain your overall health.

Understanding Vision vs. Medical Insurance

While both vision and medical insurance can cover aspects of your eye health, they serve different purposes:

  • Vision Insurance: Primarily covers routine eye care, such as annual eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses. Some plans may include discounts or allowances for frames or lenses and special services like contact lens fittings.
  • Medical Insurance: Covers eye-related medical conditions and diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or injuries to the eye. It may also apply to medically necessary treatments like cataract surgery.

Knowing which plan applies to your needs ensures you receive the appropriate care without unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Why You Should Use Your Benefits Now

Many insurance plans reset on January 1, meaning unused benefits for the current year will expire. Here’s how to make the most of your coverage before time runs out:

  1. Schedule an Eye Exam: If your vision insurance covers yearly exams, don’t let the benefit go to waste. A comprehensive eye exam can detect vision changes and screen for eye diseases.
  2. Update Your Glasses or Contacts: If you have an allowance for eyewear, use it to refresh your prescription glasses or stock up on contact lenses. Even if your prescription has stayed the same over the last year, it never hurts to have a spare pair of glasses around.
  3. Treat Eye Conditions: If you’re experiencing symptoms like dry eyes, eye strain, or blurry vision, take advantage of your medical insurance to address these concerns.
  4. Utilize FSA or HSA Funds: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) often allow you to use pre-tax dollars for eye care. Many FSAs require you to spend funds by year-end, so now is the time to act.

Don’t Forget Your Family’s Eye Health

Vision care is important for the whole family, especially children. Use your benefits to ensure your child has an updated prescription and glasses that fit well before the new school term. Pediatric eye exams can also detect vision issues that might affect their learning and development.

How Our Clinic Can Help You Maximize Benefits

At our clinic, we make it easy to take advantage of your end-of-year insurance benefits. Our services include:

  • Routine eye exams for all ages.
  • A wide selection of frames and lenses to suit your style and prescription.
  • Expert care for managing eye conditions covered by medical insurance.
  • Assistance in understanding and utilizing your insurance coverage.

Whether you need a new pair of glasses, contact lenses, or treatment for an eye condition, we’re here to help you get the most from your insurance.

Request Your Appointment Today!

Don’t let your benefits go to waste! Schedule your eye exam and eyewear consultation with us today to ensure you and your family start the new year with clear, healthy vision.