How to Use Your New Year Vision Insurance Benefits for Eye Exams, Glasses, and Contact Lenses

The start of a new year often means your vision insurance benefits have reset - giving you a fresh opportunity to prioritize your eye health and save on essential vision care. Many plans operate on a “use it or lose it” basis, so understanding how to maximize your benefits early can help you avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket costs later in the year.

Start With Your Annual Eye Exam

An annual comprehensive eye exam is the foundation of good vision care and is typically covered by most vision insurance plans once per year. Scheduling your exam early ensures you take advantage of this benefit and gives your eye doctor a baseline for monitoring changes throughout the year.

Beyond updating your prescription, eye exams can detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes and hypertension - often before symptoms appear. Using your insurance for this preventive care helps protect not just your vision, but your overall health.

Use Your Frame and Lens Allowances

Most vision insurance plans include a frame allowance or discount that resets at the beginning of the year. This allowance can significantly reduce the cost of new glasses, especially when paired with in-network providers.

When selecting lenses, ask about coverage for options such as:

• Single vision, bifocal, or progressive lenses

• Anti-reflective or scratch-resistant coatings

• Blue light filtering lenses for digital screen use

Knowing what’s partially or fully covered helps you choose lenses that fit both your visual needs and your budget.

Invest in Prescription sunglasses

Prescription sunglasses are an essential investment in both clear vision and long-term eye health. Prescription sunglasses provide precise vision correction while offering comfort and convenience during outdoor activities such as driving, sports, and everyday errands. Many vision insurance plans allow you to apply frame allowances or lens benefits toward prescription sunglasses, making them an affordable way to enhance comfort, protect your eyes, and enjoy clear vision in bright conditions.

Stock Up on Contact Lenses

If you wear contact lenses, your plan may offer either a contact lens allowance or coverage for a yearly supply. Using this benefit early in the year ensures you won’t miss out if your prescription changes or your coverage expires before you place an order.

Some plans allow you to apply your contact lens allowance toward specialty lenses, such as toric lenses for astigmatism or multifocal contacts. Be sure to ask what options are included under your specific plan.

Coordinate Vision Insurance With FSAs or HSAs

If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you may be able to use those funds for additional vision expenses not fully covered by insurance. This can include lens upgrades, or additional pairs of glasses, making it easier to customize your eyewear while managing costs.

Make the Most of Your Vision Benefits at Professional VisionCare

Your New Year vision insurance benefits are a valuable resource for maintaining clear vision and healthy eyes. By scheduling your eye exam early, understanding your coverage for glasses and contacts, and using your benefits before they expire, you can make smart decisions that support long-term eye health while saving money. A little planning now can make a big difference throughout the year.

Schedule your annual eye exam with Professional VisionCare today. Our team is happy to help you understand your insurance coverage and find the best options for your glasses, and contact lenses - so you can start the year seeing your best. Call our offices in Westerville or Lewis Center at (614) 898-9989 or Johnstown at (740) 967-2936, or book an appointment online.