Definition
The term vision care benefit refers to a company sponsored program that provides employees with insurance that helps pay for a portion, or all, of their eye care needs. Vision care benefits can pay for services such as routine eye examinations, prescription glasses, contact lenses, as well as LASIK surgery.
Explanation
Also known as vision care insurance, companies may offer their employees this benefit, although the range of covered services can vary a great deal from company to company. Comprehensive offerings will not only provide coverage for routine eye exams, prescription glasses and contact lenses, but also corrective procedures such as LASIK.
An employee's out-of-pocket costs can include both copayments and plan deductibles. Companies may place a "cap" on the dollar value of services received by individuals or their families. Plan participants may also be required to obtain eye care services from a pre-established network of providers. Companies can also exclude what they believe are non-essential products such as progressive lenses, blended bi-focal lenses, scratch and anti-reflective coatings, as well as tinted glasses.
Procedures not directly covered by this benefit, copayments, and deductibles may be eligible for reimbursement through health savings accounts and other types of healthcare funds.