What to Choose: Vision Vs Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

  • Covers: Routine, preventative, and eyewear-related services.

  • Typical Benefits:

    • Annual eye exam for glasses/contact lens prescription

    • Glasses frames & lenses (allowance or discount)

    • Contact lenses (allowance or discount)

  • Purpose: Think of it like dental insurance — mainly preventive and corrective care, not medical treatment.

We accept the following vision plans

VSP

EyeMed

Davis Vision

March Vision

Superior Vision

Medical Insurance

  • Covers: Eye care when it relates to medical conditions, diseases, or injuries.

  • Typical Coverage:

    • Red eyes, pink eye, dry eye, eye infections

    • Glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration

    • Diabetes eye exams (diabetic retinopathy screening)

    • Eye injuries (scratches, foreign bodies)

  • Does NOT cover: Glasses, contacts, or routine vision exams (unless there’s a medical diagnosis).

We accept the following medical plans

Aetna MagnaCare

Anthem BCBS MetroPlus

Cigna Oxford

The Empire Plan VillegeCare Max

EmblemHealth UnitedHealthcare

Fidelis Care

HealthFirst

✅ Medical Insurance Examples

  • You wake up with a red, painful eye → could be pink eye, a scratch, or infection.

  • Your eye is injured at work or while playing sports.

  • You have diabetes → medical insurance covers a dilated retinal exam to check for retinopathy.

  • You are being monitored or treated for glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration.

  • You have chronic dry eye and need medical evaluation and treatment.

  • You suddenly see flashes or floaters → must be evaluated for retinal problems.

  • If your eye doctor finds a medical condition during a routine exam, the visit will be billed to your medical insurance.

✅ Vision Insurance Examples

  • You come in for your yearly eye exam to update your glasses or contact lens prescription.

  • You want new glasses — your plan gives you an allowance toward frames and lenses.

  • You want to try contact lenses or need a refill (allowance or discount applies).

  • You just need a routine check-up and don’t have any eye-related complaints.