My workplace just opened enrollment, and I added vision coverage this year thinking about getting my eyes checked. They charge 14 dollars a month.
So I called to schedule an eye exam, and guess what? The cost without insurance is 59 dollars, but with the coverage, it’s labeled as covered with a 49 dollar copay. What have I gotten myself into
Health insurance is different from vision coverage, and the same goes for dental plans; they often work more like discount programs.
While you may not save much on an eye exam, hopefully, you get some benefits for glasses or contacts.
@Maverick
Absolutely. VSP is generally for folks with vision needs that require corrective lenses.
A standalone VSP plan runs about 15 dollars monthly, but you could benefit more from enrolling through your employer.
@Kirby
I’m paying 5 dollars a month for VSP through my insurance
Mal said:
@Kirby
I’m paying 5 dollars a month for VSP through my insurance
Right, here’s a consideration. If you’re at a smaller company, you might find dental and vision plans carrying higher fees.
That’s why union workers often enjoy great benefits; they have a large collective bargaining for better insurance options.
@Kirby
Some employers cover part of dental and vision plans and some don’t. That’s often the biggest factor for pricing on similar plans.
These are usually actual insurance programs rather than self-insurance managed by a third party, even for very large employers.
Mal said:
@Kirby
I’m paying 5 dollars a month for VSP through my insurance
About what I’m paying too. I have a 10 dollar copay for vision exams and an annual 130 dollar allowance for materials.
Vision insurance feels more like a club membership for discounts on frames. I wear glasses but skip vision coverage unless I want new ones that year. It may not be a scam for everyone, but it doesn’t fit everyone’s needs.
@Wynn
And their coverage for glasses isn’t great either. You’ll often end up paying over 100 dollars at any physical store—even with insurance. It’s frustrating. My plan has a good allowance for contacts for up to five people. I usually buy glasses online; if someone doesn’t use contacts, then I submit the receipt for reimbursement. Eye exams frequently cost 50 to 80 dollars.
EDIT: My eye doctor wants to take a picture of my eye for around 30 dollars instead of using drops to dilate. I also prefer this, but why isn’t it included? Sometimes I just refuse it, and they do the picture for free since it’s quicker and dilation can be annoying.
@Derry
The doctor just wants to charge you more. It’s not strictly necessary.
@Wynn
Sadly, it’s a scam over there too. If you check the price of frames at your doctor’s office and then look them up online at a store that doesn’t take insurance, you’ll often find they cost about the same but are cheaper than your coverage would give. The free ones are pretty similar to the 10 dollars offered at cheap online retailers like Zenni. It creates the illusion of savings. I guess if you have no insurance, you end up losing out even more.
Vision insurance is worth checking annually, especially for eye conditions like cataracts or glaucoma. You might get help for your glasses or contacts, depending on your coverage.
If an expert does it right, premiums can be run through a cafeteria plan to save taxes for the insured. That makes the 168 dollars seem like a discount.
Many people buy vision for one year, get glasses, and then drop it for a year.
As for dental, it can pay for itself if you are going for cleanings and x-rays. Dental has a low calendar max of about 2000 to 3000 dollars.
@Han
In New York City, a cleaning, exam, and x-rays can cost around 250 to 350 dollars, less in other places. Most dental plans don’t kick in unless you expect cavities.
Ren said:
@Han
In New York City, a cleaning, exam, and x-rays can cost around 250 to 350 dollars, less in other places. Most dental plans don’t kick in unless you expect cavities.
But many plans have a 1500 dollar annual maximum benefit, so if you end up needing multiple fillings or more intense work, the plan becomes useless again.
In my opinion, dental insurance is less of a scam than vision but still has its issues.
Ren said:
@Han
In New York City, a cleaning, exam, and x-rays can cost around 250 to 350 dollars, less in other places. Most dental plans don’t kick in unless you expect cavities.
They do around here. Using type 1 services costs a bit more than the annual premium, but you still have benefits left. Having coverage might save you money over paying out of pocket. Plus, you make part of dental care tax-free.
The only way it doesn’t break even or is better is if you skip cleanings. Skipping cleanings leads to bigger problems like needing implants.
@Han
What’s a cafeteria plan
It’s a way for your employer to provide various benefits that you can pick and choose from on a pre-tax basis. This includes health insurance and other services. It’s called a cafeteria plan because everything’s optional, and you can select what you want.
@Jalen
Got it, thanks!