Now that December is here, we’re just a few weeks away from the start of the new year. With that countdown comes the expiration of many people’s annual health insurance benefits and deductibles, including vision coverage.
Because plans often change from one year to the next, getting in any last-minute check-ups or vision care is a great way to protect your eyes and prevent surprise costs later on.
Mary Demirjian, OD, and our expert team at Wide Eye Optometry in Encino, Santa Clarita, and Palmdale, California, are here to help you get the most out of your vision benefits. Here’s how to use your coverage effectively before the year is over.
Although every vision plan is different, most insurance covers:
What many people don’t realize is that benefits often reset at the beginning of each year. Since using your benefits regularly can maximize their value, it makes sense to schedule any eye care you’ve been putting off, whether it’s an annual exam, a glaucoma screening, or an updated prescription for glasses or contacts.
It can be easy to put eye care on the back burner. Many eye diseases, like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, develop slowly over years and don’t cause obvious symptoms.
If it’s been more than a year since your last eye exam, the end of the year is the perfect time to schedule one. That’s especially true if you have:
We also recommend scheduling an exam if your job or hobbies involve lots of screentime. Long hours in front of electronic screens reduce blinking, increasing the risk of dry eyes and chronic eye fatigue.
There are several ways to take full advantage of your vision benefits before the year’s end. First, schedule an eye exam for yourself, and pediatric eye care for your children.
These check-ups involve a vision acuity test, diagnostic imaging to check for eye diseases, and pupil dilation so we can examine the optic nerve and other structures at the back of the eyes.
Next, order a new pair of glasses or a package of contact lenses, depending on whether you primarily use glasses or contacts. For some patients, it may make sense to update both. You may also want to consider prescription sunglasses, especially if you do a lot of driving or spend a lot of time outdoors.
Ask questions during your appointment, and if you need help understanding your plan, we’re happy to explain it so you can maximize your coverage.
Using your vision coverage before the end of the year might seem like it’s just another task to add to your to-do list. But taking action now offers several benefits, including:
If you want to make the most of your eyecare coverage before the year ends, we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment at your nearest Wide Eye Optometry office in Encino, Santa Clarita, or Palmdale, California, today.