Does Eye Insurance Cover Sunglasses? Top 4 Powerful Facts [2023]

Want to look cool in shades without spending a ton of money? As you wonder “does eye insurance cover sunglasses?”, you’re probably hoping your vision benefits can help pay for stylish sunnies.

Well, I’ve got good news – many eye insurance plans do offer at least some coverage for prescription and UV-blocking non-prescription shades!

Before you head out shopping, let’s take a look at what vision insurance typically includes for glasses, how sunglasses factor in, and tips for scoring discounts. Time to shed some light on using your eyewear allowance for fun in the sun!

What Does Vision Insurance Actually Cover?

Before we dive into sunglasses specifically, it helps to understand what vision insurance policies generally include. Most plans cover:

1.      Annual eye exams by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

This allows them to check your prescription and eye health.

2.      Prescription eyeglasses.

Lenses, frames, and coatings are often partially or fully covered on a yearly or bi-yearly basis.

3.      Prescription contact lenses.

Just like glasses, you’ll get a specified allowance per year.

4.      Corrective eye surgeries like LASIK.

You’ll likely have copays or coinsurance.

So regular eye tests, contacts, and glasses for seeing clearly are the main benefits. Now, back to our original question…

Does eye insurance cover sunglasses?

Luckily, the answer is often yes! Many vision insurance plans provide at least partial coverage for sunglasses. Let’s break down what typical eye insurance includes, how sunglasses factor in, and tips for making the most of your eyewear allowance.

Do Sunglasses Count as Eyeglasses Under Insurance Plans?

In many cases, yes! Most vision insurance works like this:

You’re given an eyeglass coverage allowance per year, say $150. You can put that toward prescription eyeglasses, non-prescription sunglasses, or some combination of both from any provider. So if you buy $75 regular glasses, you could put the remaining $75 toward nice Ray-Bans.

The catch is that the sunnies can’t have any corrective lenses or special coatings, since those aren’t medically necessary. But plain old UV-blocking shades are often fair game.

Your best bet is to ask your eye doctor or benefits manager:

• Does my plan’s eyeglass allowance apply to non-prescription sunglasses?
• Is there a limit on how much can go toward sunglasses versus prescription glasses?
• What providers can I shop at to get coverage?

Every insurer is a bit different, so get the details. And make sure you get the doctor to write you a prescription specifically for sunglasses, even if they have no vision correction. This prescription makes them count as a medical necessity and not just a fashion accessory.

What If Your Plan Has a Separate Sunglass Allowance?

Some insurers structure benefits to cover sunglasses separately from standard eyeglasses. For example, they may do:

• $200 allowance for prescription glasses
• $50 allowance for non-prescription sunglasses

That’s a nice perk if you can score it! With separate accounts, you could potentially use up both allowances each year and stock up on sunnies as well as your regular glasses.

Watch Out for Extra Fees and Limitations

A couple restrictions to note with vision insurance and sunglasses:

1. You’ll likely pay extra for add-ons like polarization, mirrored coating, or high-index lenses. Check what’s covered in your plan’s materials allowance.
2. Stick to in-network eyeglass providers to avoid extra charges. Going out-of-network means you’ll have to pay upfront and submit a claim.
3. There may be a limit on the number of glasses or sunglasses allowed per year, like one pair of each.

FAQs:

Does vision insurance cover sunglasses?

It sure can! Many vision plans include an allowance that you can use towards prescription sunglasses or even regular UV-protecting shades. Just make sure to ask your provider exactly what’s included. Some plans cover sunglasses separately from standard glasses. And you’ll typically need a sunnies-specific prescription from your eye doc.

Does vision insurance cover prescription sunglasses?

Vision insurance generally covers prescription sunglasses the same as regular glasses, using your eyewear allowance. Verify with your insurer if sunglasses have a separate allowance or share one pool of coverage with regular prescription eyewear. Shop in-network and get a valid sunglass prescription to maximize savings.

Does insurance cover sunglasses?

Sometimes! If your vision insurance offers a separate sunglass allowance, you can likely use that to get money off non-prescription shades. Even plans that lump sunglasses in with standard eyeglasses often cover UV-blocking sunnies to some degree. But extras like polarization or high-index lenses may cost extra.

What does eye insurance cover?

A few key things: yearly eye exams to get your prescription, eyeglasses (both prescription and sometimes non-prescription sunglasses), contact lenses, and discounts on LASIK or cataract surgery. Most plans specify a dollar allowance for glasses/contacts and copays for procedures.

What does eye insurance not cover?

A few things eye insurance usually won’t pay for: vision therapy and training, cosmetic extras like colored contacts purely for enhancing appearance, non-prescription reading glasses, out-of-network providers marked up over your plan’s allowance, and replacement of lost/damaged glasses or contacts.

Will insurance cover lost sunglasses?

Unfortunately, vision insurance won’t offer reimbursement for lost or damaged eyewear. Those would be considered your personal responsibility. You can check if a property/renters insurance policy could help offset the cost if your sunglasses were stolen. But otherwise you’ll be paying out of pocket for replacements.

Conclusion:

In summary – does eye insurance cover sunglasses? Often times, yes! By leveraging your vision benefits and getting a special sunglasses prescription, you can likely put your allowance towards awesome shades. Just be aware of any extra costs for add-ons. With the inside scoop, you can rock cool sunnies this summer while keeping cash in your wallet. When it comes to eye insurance covering sunglasses, you really can have the best of both worlds!

Also Read:

Best Sunglasses for Women’s Face Shapes

Best Sunglasses For Men

Best Sunglasses for Beach Volleyball

How To Remove Scratches from Sunglasses

Best Sunglasses for Golf

How to Take Care of Your Eyes