Affordable Eyewear Options for Healthcare Consumers

When it comes to healthcare, vision care is often overlooked. However, regular eye exams and corrective eyewear are essential for maintaining good eyesight and overall health. For many people, the cost of eyeglasses can be a significant barrier to accessing this important care.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many health insurance plans now include vision coverage. This coverage can help you save money on eyeglasses and contact lenses. In some cases, you may even be able to get free eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Finding Affordable Eyewear

If you have vision insurance, your first step is to check with your insurance provider to see what your coverage includes. Many insurance plans have a network of preferred providers that offer discounts on eyewear. You can also use your insurance to purchase eyeglasses or contact lenses from any provider, but you may have to pay more out-of-pocket costs.

There are a number of ways to find affordable eyewear, even if you don’t have vision insurance. Here are a few tips:

Shop around. Compare prices from different retailers before you buy. You can also use online price comparison tools to find the best deals.
Look for sales. Many retailers offer sales on eyeglasses and contact lenses throughout the year.
Use coupons. You can find coupons for eyeglasses and contact lenses in newspapers, magazines, and online.
Buy generic brands. Generic brands of eyeglasses and contact lenses are often just as good as name brands, but they cost less.
Get your eyes examined regularly. By getting your eyes examined regularly, you can catch vision problems early on and avoid more serious problems down the road. This can save you money in the long run.

Types of Vision Coverage

The ACA requires most health insurance plans to offer vision coverage. This coverage can vary from plan to plan, but it typically includes:

An annual eye exam.
Corrective lenses (eyeglasses or contact lenses).
Other vision care services, such as glaucoma screenings.

Some plans also offer coverage for LASIK surgery and other refractive eye procedures.

If you’re not sure if your health insurance plan includes vision coverage, you can contact your insurance provider or visit their website.

Getting Help

If you’re having trouble affording eyeglasses or contact lenses, there are a number of resources available to help you. You can:

Contact your local health department. Many health departments offer free or low-cost vision care services.
Apply for Medicaid. Medicaid is a government program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals and families. Medicaid covers vision care services for children and certain adults.
Seek help from a non-profit organization. There are a number of non-profit organizations that provide free or low-cost vision care services.

Don’t let the cost of eyeglasses or contact lenses stand in the way of getting the vision care you need. By using the resources available to you, you can find affordable eyewear and keep your eyes healthy.