Does Insurance Cover Prescription Sunglasses?What You Should Know
Have you ever had to squint against the sun's glare or shade your eyes with your hand to watch your favorite outdoor sports competition? If you wear glasses, chances are you’re frustrated with the inconvenience and have wondered whether you can put prescription lenses in sunglasses. You can! Consider purchasing prescription sunglasses to help when the sun is in full force.
If the cost of prescription sunglasses has been holding you back, don't worry! Let us answer some commonly asked questions and the main question: Does insurance cover prescription sunglasses?
FAQs
1. Are prescription sunglasses covered by FSA, HSA or insurance?
Usually yes. Most vision insurance plans have yearly lens and frame allowances that can be used toward the cost of prescription sunglasses. Keep in mind that if your prescription sunglasses cost more than your allowance, you must pay the difference. Most FSA and HSA funds consider prescription sunglasses eligible expenses. Always check your plan’s guidelines before making such a purchase.
2. Can you put prescription lenses in sunglasses?
In most cases, yes. This depends on the specific frames and lenses, though. Visionworks has a big selection of prescription sunglasses ready to accommodate your vision needs—and almost all frames can be fitted with sunglass lenses.
3. Are prescription sunglasses worth the cost?
Yes. Prescription sunglasses are convenient, protect your eyes from the sun and allow you to see clearly no matter the circumstances. Plus, they’re fashionable!
4. Do you need a new prescription to get prescription sunglasses?
Not necessarily. Your vision prescription must be valid and unexpired to ensure it matches your eyes’ current vision needs. Most prescriptions are valid for only a year, so double-check whether it’s time for you to have an eye exam and update your prescription. Annual eye exams are always a good idea anyway, because your vision can change without you even noticing.
5. What should you look for in prescription sunglasses?
Start by making sure your sunglasses’ frames fit your style. Then consider the benefits of polarized lenses, light-reactive lenses or even multiple pairs for different uses. Ask one of our Associates to explain how these options help you see better and enhance your lifestyle as well.
How to Pay for Prescription Sunglasses with Your Health Benefits
There are two options for using health benefits to pay for new prescription sunglasses. Here are the details of each.
Option 1: Vision Insurance
If you have vision insurance, plans usually provide yearly set amounts of money for vision care expenses.
Frames vs. Lenses
Most vision insurance plans cover lenses and frames as separate expenses. They typically give you an allowance to spend in each category. Most plans allow you to use these allowances to pay for prescription sunglasses.
Contacts vs. Glasses
Many vision plans cover either contacts or glasses, so you may need to decide whether you would rather have help paying for prescription sunglasses or contact lenses.
Annual Limits
There are annual limits on allowances for corrective eyewear. For example, many plans help you buy one pair of new frames each year. If this applies to you, you may be able to purchase new glasses one year and then prescription sunglasses the next year—as long as your vision doesn’t change.
Option 2: FSA or HSA
Both of these accounts deduct funds from each paycheck for medical expenses, including eye care. You can use them along with your insurance to pay costs the insurance doesn’t cover, like deductibles, copayments and amounts over your lens and frame allowances. If you aren’t familiar with these plans, don’t worry—we’ll break them down for you.
FSA
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an account with funds set aside before taxes for healthcare purposes. This account is provided through your employer. The funds are usually deducted from your paycheck. Some employers even contribute to this account.
In most FSA plans, the balance does not roll over into the next year. You lose any money remaining in the account when the fiscal year ends, so it’s best to keep an eye on this account so you use all the funds by year’s end.
HSA
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a type of savings account that allows you to put money aside (before taxes) to pay for approved medical expenses and may include employer contributions. HSA plans allow you to use the funds to pay for healthcare and purchase corrective eyewear—including prescription sunglasses.
The main reasons an HSA differs from an FSA are that to have an HSA you need a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and most people can set this account up without the help of an employer. An HSA also allows your money balance to transfer from one year to the next, and the balance remains accessible to you even if you change jobs or move.
Are Prescription Sunglasses Worth It?
The short answer: Yes! Prescription sunglasses may seem an extravagance, but they have many benefits.
- Comfort: With prescription sunglasses, you’ll enjoy outdoor pastimes without having to squint to see, shade your eyes from harmful UV rays or feel uncomfortable.
- Protection: If you do not adequately shade your eyes from the sun, UV rays can seriously harm your eyes, leading to conditions like cataracts and eyelid cancers.
- Safety: Squinting and trying to block the sun can become distracting and dangerous, especially while driving. Sunglasses alleviate that risk.
- Style: You can complement your personal style with prescription sunglasses! You’ll never feel embarrassed whipping out your classy shades in public.
Still Can't Decide?
If you can’t decide between glasses and sunglasses, there is an option just for you! Visionworks has light-reactive lenses. This means while you’re indoors or out of the sun, they work like normal glasses—they’re clear. When you walk out into the sun, however, the lenses in your glasses gradually darken and become like sunglasses. You’ll never have to switch back and forth between frames, because your lenses do all that work for you!
If you want prescription sunglasses but have difficulty deciding on frames, you can try them out and see how they work for you. With the Visionworks 100-day guarantee, you can exchange your glasses for new ones for up to 100 days after purchase. Now you have the power to own the glasses you love most.
Get Your Prescription Sunglasses Today
If your insurance covers even a small portion of the cost of prescription sunglasses, buying a new pair is worth it for the eye health benefits alone. Start by scheduling an eye appointment with Visionworks today! Then pick out your favorite frames, and we’ll get your prescription sunglasses ready as soon as possible.
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Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
