Vision benefits companies such as VSP and Eyemed are limited prepaid benefits that you have purchased or are provided from your employer.  In general, vision coverage is designed to provide an exam to determine a prescription for glasses or contact lenses.  Some may also help with the cost of purchasing glasses or contact lenses to correct vision problems.  This benefit can be for annual eye health exams to screen for problems and diseases in patients without medical concerns, symptoms, or systemic conditions that affect our eyes.  

They do not provide for the care of your eyes for medical concerns.  Once medical problems are present, diagnosed, or causing symptoms that need evaluation, then medical insurance will be billed for your eye care services.

Medical insurances are designed to help with the expenses of dealing with medically necessary health care.  Having an eye exam is an essential part of your complete health care.  There are hundreds of reasons of why you may need medical eye care instead of a basic vision exam.  There are many medical conditions that can cause blurred vision.  Sometimes blurred vision is a symptom of a more serious eye health problem than just needing to update your glasses prescription.  During a medical eye exam, we still may perform a refraction when indicated to determine your best corrected vision and provide a prescription for glasses or contact lenses but we will also address the medical condition affecting your eyes.