What kinds of vision insurance plans are available?
Vision insurance plans offer either a vision benefits package or discounts on eye care and eyewear. A vision benefits package that covers services such as eye exams may require a co-payment from you at the time of service, with the balance to be paid by your plan. In a vision discount plan, you pay fully for services but at a lower-than-normal price that the plan’s participating eyecare practitioners have agreed to charge. When you purchase vision insurance, whether it is a benefits package or a discount plan, you buy two products: • Access to a network of eye care providers who have agreed to provide services and/or products at reduced prices (either to you or to the company administering the plan). These providers are typically optometrists and general ophthalmologists. In some cases, ophthalmologists who are refractive surgeons and provide LASIK and other vision correction procedures may be included. • Specific eye care services and products, such as eye exams, eyeglasses and contac
