3 benefits of vision insurance
Vision ranks as one of our most dominant senses, enabling us to take in the world around us and process meaning from what we see. In fact, roughly 80% of what we learn is due to visual perception. Given that, there’s real value in protecting your eyes and considering the benefits of vision coverage.
“You might think of vision benefits only for an annual eye exam or a discount on lenses, but modern plans offer far more,” said Dr. Premilla Banwait, an optometrist and vice president of clinical programs at UnitedHealthcare. “These plans are designed to help protect your eye health, provide resources for living in our digital world and offer help for seeing clearly while we learn, work and play.”
Here are three benefits of a vision plan that you might not have considered:
1. Help with detecting diseases
Vision plans often include coverage for an annual comprehensive exam, which can be a powerful way to measure health — and not just for your eyes. An eye exam can reveal signs of at least 20 different health conditions, including:
For people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, who may be required to get routine eye exams as part of a recommended treatment plan, vision benefits that include a comprehensive eye exam may be especially valuable.
2. Proactive protection against blue light
In our increasingly connected world, many people spend significant time in front of blue-light-emitting digital devices, which may contribute to eye health issues such as digital eye strain. Your vision plan may provide resources designed to help lower exposure to blue light, including coverage for glasses with anti-reflective coating, and may provide up to a 20% discount on screen protectors and laptops with embedded blue-light-filtering technology.
3. Savings on prescription eyewear and LASIK surgery
Many employer-sponsored vision plans offer savings on prescription eyewear, including sunglasses, reading glasses and blue-light-filtering glasses.
UnitedHealthcare Vision members have access to prescription eyewear through a broad network of care providers and locations nationwide. National and regional retailers, specialty online retailers and private practices are all part of the vision network, which helps create more access, choice and flexibility for members.
Some plans also include coverage or a member discount for laser eye surgery. If you’re a UnitedHealthcare Vision member, you may be eligible for discounts of up to 35% on laser vision correction at QualSight LASIK locations.
“As part of comprehensive approach to well-being, it is key to look into vision resources that may help support your health and enable you to save at the same time,” Dr. Banwait said. “Having a vision plan can help you stay on top of your eye health and promote your overall well-being — and it may make it more affordable to get the eyewear you need to see clearly.”
For more information on vision insurance and eye health, visit myuhcvision.com.
