Vision Insurance Plans for Children

Vision problems are often the cause of poor academic performance in children. In fact, one in four school-age children suffer from eye problems. Between 40 and 67 percent of children who fail simple vision screening tests do not receive followup care, reports the American Academy of Ophthalmology. When problems with vision go untreated, a child can experience both learning and behavioral problems. Vision insurance helps make routine eye exams and prescription lenses more affordable.

Prevention

• Preventive eye exams for children are essential, especially if your family has a history of vision problems. Regular eye exams can help detect problems early on in the event a child needs to wear corrective lenses. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent a child's vision from getting worse and causing other problems. Once children go to school, routine eye exams are an essential part of preventive health care. The frequency of eye exams can vary according to a child's age, family history of vision problems and a child's own medical history. Vision plans usually cover biannual eye exams for children.

Coverage

• Not all health insurance plans automatically include vision coverage. Vision insurance is often included as a supplemental form of coverage to your basic health insurance plan for which you pay an extra premium. Sometimes vision coverage is offered as part of major medical insurance coverage. Vision insurance generally pays for routine eye exams in addition to all or part of the cost of corrective lenses for children. Some plans cover medical eye emergencies and may pay toward medical expenses related to progressive eye disease in children.

Policy Specifics

• Whether or not vision coverage is included in your basic health plan is outlined in the terms of your policy. States vary in the laws describing what types of health plan coverage are mandatory. Many employer-sponsored group health plans offer employees the option of participating in a vision plan. Employees are often allowed to elect family coverage. In most cases, an employee is required to pay a portion of the premium cost. Check with your insurance carrier if you have questions about the terms of your policy.

Costs

• The cost of eye exams and corrective eye wear varies depending on the eye clinic and regional location. While most vision plans cover the full cost of eye exams, some types of vision insurance charge a copay for a regular eye exam. Before scheduling an eye appointment for your child, compare the prices at several different eye clinics. If testing indicates that a child needs glasses, a plan will normally cover the cost of frames and prescription lenses. Some limits may apply. For instance, a vision plan may only cover certain types of frames or set a maximum dollar amount on what the plan will pay toward the cost of frames.