Vision vs. Medical

HOW VISION INSURANCE DIFFERS FROM MEDICAL INSURANCE

There are two types of insurance you may have which will help pay for your eye care services and products. Our practice accepts both: 1. Medical insurance (such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare) and 2. Vision care plans (such as VSP).

Vision care plans are not true insurance and help cover one routine vision exam per year for patients with no systemic or medical diagnosis. They often help cover eyeglasses or contact lenses. Vision plans do not cover the diagnosis, management, treatment, or consultation for eye diseases.

Medical insurance is used if you have any eye health problem or systemic health problem that requires specialty care, testing, treatment, or consultation. Diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, dry eye and ocular allergies are common examples. If your doctor has to perform any diagnostic testing or procedures during your visit, they are billed to your medical insurance.

If you have both types of plans it may be necessary for us to bill some services to one plan and some services to the other. We will do our best to properly bill and coordinate your benefits to minimize your out-of-pocket expense. Please note, we do not determine your coverage, copays, deductible, etc.

For more information on insurance, please visit our insurance page.