I just need a routine check up and I don’t have a vision plan, why are you asking for my medical insurance?

Your medical insurance may often cover routine eyecare.  If you are coming in with healthy and normal eyes,  you are coming in for a routine eyecare.  Routine eyecare may be covered by your medical insurance like BCBS, and can also be covered by a stand alone vision plan, like VSP.  It is all pretty confusing, but we are dedicated to figuring out the details for you.  Let us help save you money by making sure you are utilizing your full benefits.

We also like to know who your medical carrier is because if there is a medical eye condition, they most often will be able to cover your costs.  Additionally, if a referral needs to be made, it will help get you to the most appropriate doctor.

What insurance will cover what: Vision Vs Medical

Vision plans are primarily for routine eye exams, glasses, and contacts only.  A routine eye exam is for patients that have no medical eye problems or known eye health issues.  The goal of a routine eye exam is to prove that your eyes are perfectly healthy and to discover unknown problems.

If a patient presents with an eye problem, such as pinkeye, glaucoma, or dry eye, this office visit is can be billed to medical insurance, not a vision plan. See the list below for some common medical presenting conditions.  Your vision plan may be utilized in addition to your medical plan to provide coverage for additional services and products such as glasses and contacts.

Vision Plans Cover Refractive Care.  Ie. What a pair of glasses or contacts can correct.

They include the common vision conditions:

Medical Insurance Covers Conditions That Can Affect the Health Of Your Eye.

Most Common Presenting Medical Complaints and Conditions:

Family History of Eye Disorders, other than needing glasses or contacts.

• Styes
• Eyelid Infections
• Glaucoma
• Cataract
• Macular Degeneration
• Eye Movement Problems, Eye Turn, Lazy Eye

Medical Conditions that have ocular implications are also covered, such as:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension