MsElui

I was just wondering the other day - how this would work?

Who actually covers the 'health' issues that are discovered in eye tests? I know optical insurance would cover potentially the eye test, glasses, contacts etc - but would they for example cover other illnesses discovered through an eye exam - like glaucoma or something? Or would that go through the health insurance plan?

No idea what made me think of this but now im curious.

limeynus

I'm diabetic and my eye health is covered under my medical ... when they have to dialate the pupils to check the blood vessels behind the eye that is health.

But you are correct for vision, glasses etc ... that's vision insurance.

N1cky

I had a scratched cornea which needed lasik, it was covered on my health insurance.

Duncan Roberts

Generally speaking health insurance covers all the actual practical stuff. Vision insurance is mainly used for glasses/contacts and more than yearly eye exams. However, like most things to do with healthcare, your policy is your policy and could be completely different to everyone elses so you'd need to check!

On a side note, for eye exams done for health reasons like a dilated eye exam for diabetes, sometimes you can fight with the insurance company and get your co-pay lowered. For instance I have a $40 specialty co-pay but $20 PCP co-pay. If you try you might be able to get the insurance to class the doctor who does your eye exam as a primary care doctor rather than a specialist since your PCP can't do a proper dilated eye exam and the exam is an essential part of managing a medical condition. You may also need to get the eye doctor to run it through the insurance slightly differently. An eye doctor told me that and only charged me $20, when the EOB came through I owed nothing extra.

Bill_S

Most vision-type insurance policies are pretty lousy, in my experience. My employer offers a plan, but I haven't bothered enrolling because the coverage is very limited and I'd be lucky to break even. I just pay out of pocket for my annual exam and new glasses every few years.

I doubt that even the most platinum-plated, diamond-encrusted vision plan would cover treatment for ophthalmic diseases; you'd be punted over to your medical plan.

I'd be happy to be proved wrong, though.

Jerseygirl

My visits were covered by the standard healthcare insurance.

MsElui

thats actually god news - because i dont have any optical coverage. We chose to only add my husband as he is the only one with glasses. I was just going to pay for a regular eye test and then i wondered what would happen if they found anything - ie would i be okay with my health plan or would i be stuck as no optical cover.

Bob

Way back when, up in Maine, before where the missus worked got bought out and it went to shit, adding vision insurance to the insurance plan was $2 a month.

For that, you got a free pair of glasses every 2 years and a set of lenses and they covered about 50% for a second pair if you wanted a spare or prescription sunglasses, which when lenses went for around $400, that's a pretty good saving....still can't believe they quote you per lens when you ask how much getting the glasses and lenses will be though, cheeky gits

DMDA

Posts like this make me appreciate being in the UK a little bit more. Because I work with computers all day my employer has to cover the costs of my eye checks. It's only 30 quid a visit but better than a kick in the teeth.

Poppy girl

Thats interesting because I have had bad eye problems this year, and went to see an Optomologist after getting new glass's that did not work

Before I went Blue Cross Blus Sheild of California informed me that, my standard health care plan would cover any serious problems, if my Optomologist found any thing potentially harmful.

Luckily I was in the all clear, it was severe eye strain, through driving excessive miles and BE lol.

made of kent

yes and if you need glasses for VDU work they have to pay for basic glasses which at our place was £50! the glasses you would get at this price won't be pretty, but you could also put it towards glasses you want.
due to the vauge VDU regs employers tend to employ nurses to do a basic keystone test to save money, I cost £68 and hour and can see 3 people in that time, however I was always uneasy with this set up as, it could mean people don't see an optician thinking they had been "tested" so I always told them this does not replace a test,
if they had real concerns straight to the optician, I wouldn't even test, gave them the rebate form and the phone to get an appointment and in 8 years of doing this, by-pasted the optician on 2 occasions when doing the test as it was clear "all was not well" sent straight to the doctor, both had, had strokes they where unaware of!

Rete

Your medical covers it. I just had cataract surgery paid for by my medical healthcare provider. They also pay for my eye exam but not my glasses.

NC Penguin

In the last year, I've seen an optometrist and an opthomologist under health insurance. It was covered under medical insurance.

augigi

Is that a cross between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

Poppy girl

Whoops should of used spell check but you know what I meant so stop complaining lol.