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    How to get the most from your vision insurance when buying eyeglasses.

    vision insurance

    Vision insurance plans are a bad deal

    network providers
    Network providers sell at inflated prices
    in network frames
    In-network free frames are low quality
    final cost icon
    Final cost of eyeglasses is no bargain for the employee
    ex icon
    Benefits expire, but the premiums don't
    plans are complicated
    Plans are extremely complicated
    poor value and complicated
    Poor value + complicated = Unnecessary add-on
    co icon
    Just because your company offers it, does not mean it is a good idea for you
    what to do?

    What to do?

    • Don't sign up for the plan
    • If your employer provides it free, then you should
      1. Use the Out of Network Benefit, or
      2. Use the free frame and lens benefit, or
      3. Use the contact lens benefit
    Shop: Eyeglasses.com offers a vast selection of
    high-quality frames and lenses, at 50% lower
    prices than typical network providers.

    Why Going "Out of Network" Will
    Save You the Most Money

    vision icon
    What does out-of-network mean?

    An out-of-network provider is one which has not contracted with your insurance company for reimbursement at a negotiated rate.

    Are Vision Benefits a Good Deal?

    Many employers provide "Vision Benefits" to employees as an add-on to the total employee benefits package. Sometimes the employer pays for the premium, and sometimes the employee pays for the premium. Premiums looks small - a few dollars a week - and so employees think it's a good deal. But if you look more closely at these plans, you will see that they are not a great deal in most cases.

    Why do Vision
    Benefits Look Like
    a Good Deal?

    • You don't pay the premium because the employer gives it to you free
    • The co-pay is low
    • You pick a frame that costs less than the frame allowance
    • You pick a lens that costs less than the lens allowance
    • You get a pair of glasses for free, or low cost

    So Why are Vision
    Benefits Not a
    Good Deal?

    • You must use an In-Network store
    • Stores are ready for you: To make a profit, they do a few things:
      1. Inflate their prices
      2. Offer lower quality frames for vision benefits
      3. Sales pitch to more expensive add-ons
    • Many people forget to use their benefit, and lose it
    • Plans are complicated and hard to understand

    How to Get the Most Out of Your
    Vision Insurance Plan?

    The best option is not to sign up for a vision benefit plan. But if you are already signed up,
    or if your employer provides a vision benefit plan free of charge, there are some tricks to
    getting the most out of it:

    Set up your calendar

    Set up your calendar with a reminder to make sure you use your benefit every year before the plan expires.

    Use the free frame and lens benefit

    Use the free frame and lens benefit. The quality of the frame and lens will be low, but you did not pay much for it. The only problem here is that low quality frames and lenses don't last as long, and may cause you inconvenience.

    If you want a better quality frame

    If you want a better quality frame and/or need a better quality lens (possibly due to a higher prescription), then you will save money by shopping online and using the "Out of Network" benefit.

    massive selection of only high quality, guaranteed eyewear

    example, provides a massive selection of only high quality, guaranteed eyewear. Because prices are over 50% lower than typical optical stores, when you use your Out of Network benefit, you pay the lowest total amount.

    If you wear contact lenses

    If you wear contact lenses, the benefit is also substantial, and a better deal than getting a free frame.

    • Cash Paid Out

    • Varies between FREE and
      $2.00/week, or $208/year
    • $0-$25
    • $0 - $100
    • $0 - $100
    • TOTAL OUT OF POCKET:
      0 - $433

    • What You Get Back

    • $100-$180
    • $40-$80
    • $150 - $200
    • $0 - $150

    Restrictions
    Use it or lose it • Once a year, or once every two years
    • Can only be used at In-Network stores

    Use Your FSA (Flex Spending Account)
    Benefits Before Year End

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    We often hear from customers after year end that they forgot to use their FSA benefits. We recommend funding HSA (Health Savings Accounts) instead of FSA accounts, because HSA funds do not expire at the end of the year. Either way, BE SURE TO USE UP YOUR FSA funds before the end of the year, or lose them!

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