Vision Insurance FAQs

Are you worried about increasing eye care costs, but have questions about vision insurance? You’re in luck! Linneo is here to answer some of the most important questions people have about purchasing an individual vision insurance plan or a vision discount plan. Plus, you can learn even more about Linneo and how you can benefit.

Table of Contents

What Does Individual Vision Insurance Typically Cover?

Individual vision insurance plans typically cover a range of vision-related expenses, including:

Eye exams: Vision insurance covers routine exams that check for vision problems and eye diseases.
Prescription eyewear: Vision insurance may cover the cost of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Diagnostic testing: Vision insurance may cover diagnostic testing for eye conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts.
Eye-related medical treatment: Some vision insurance plans may cover medical treatment for eye conditions, such as infections, injuries, or diseases.

Individual vision insurance plans can vary in terms of what they cover and to what extent. It is recommended to carefully review the plan details and benefits before enrolling in a specific vision insurance plan.

All of Linneo’s individual vision insurance plans include allowances that cover eyewear and vision accessories. Eyewear includes prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, replacement lenses for a frame you already have, and contact lenses. Vision accessories include things like eyeglass cases, lens cleaning kits, and at-home vision testing devices.

Additionally, some of Linneo’s individual vision insurance plans include an allowance for comprehensive eye exams received from any doctor they choose. To receive reimbursement members need to go to the Member Web Portal, go to Policy Documents, fill out the Member Claim Form, and then Send It In.

For those who only need a renewed prescription and don’t need a comprehensive eye exam, Linneo partners offer prescription renewal services. The prescription renewal services offered by Visibly and Lensabl provide a renewed prescription from a licensed optometrist.
With Linneo you can get a new prescription for a fraction of the price of the comprehensive exam. Plus, the fee is covered by Linneo’s exam allowance. To apply for your Linneo allowance, just look for the Linneo link when you’re ready to pay.

How Does Vision Insurance Differ From Regular Health Insurance?

Vision insurance differs from regular health insurance in a few key ways:

Coverage: Vision insurance is designed specifically to cover vision-related expenses, such as routine eye exams, and prescription glasses or contact lenses. In contrast, regular health insurance covers a broad range of medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs.
Cost: The cost of vision insurance is typically lower than that of regular health insurance because it covers a narrower set of expenses. Additionally, many vision insurance plans have lower deductibles and copays than regular health insurance plans.
Benefits: Vision insurance plans often have specific benefits tailored to vision care, such as discounts on eyeglasses and contact lenses. In contrast, regular health insurance plans may have benefits such as coverage for preventive care, chronic disease management, and emergency care.

Overall, vision insurance is a specialized form of insurance that provides coverage for vision-related expenses, while regular health insurance provides broader coverage for medical expenses.

What is a Vision Discount Plan?

A vision discount plan is a type of plan that offers discounts on vision-related expenses. It is not insurance, but rather a membership program that provides access to discounted services and products. Vision discount plans are typically offered by private companies, and members pay a fee to join and access the discounts.

Linneo offers its Eyewear Savings Plan (vision discount plan) to individuals for $12 per year. Members of the Eyewear Savings Plan get 15% off of eyewear and vision accessories from participating online retailers.

The 15% discount from Linneo is in addition to other discounts offered by our participating providers.

Be sure to so check in with our providers with them regularly to get the best deal. Linneo’s Eyewear Savings Plan isn’t currently available in all states so be sure to find out how much you can save on our enrollment page.

How Do I Know Which Option is Right For Me?

Families of three or more who choose Linneo for vision insurance will get the best coverage options from a vision insurance plan. Linneo insurance plans cover eyewear from online retailers and reimburses members for comprehensive eye examinations.

For example, a family of four from Ohio can access Linneo’s Vision 200-100 plan for $537.24 annually. That gives each member of the family a $200.00 eyewear allowance and a $100.00 exam allowance. That’s $1,200.00 in benefits at a 55% discount!

Individuals and Plus Ones need to decide whether or not exam coverage is needed. If exam coverage is needed the choice is simple— choose a plan with an exam allowance that’s high enough to cover your expenses. Currently, the national average price of a comprehensive eye exam is $95 but some offices charge as little as $40.

If exam coverage is not needed for Individuals and Plus Ones the next question is—how much are you planning to spend? If you will require over $300 in eyewear, Linneo’s Eyewear Savings Plan is the right choice. If you expect to spend under $300 on eyewear, the Eyewear Savings Plan and insurance will save you about the same amount.

The main difference between the Vision Insurance Plan and an Eyewear Savings plan is the participating online retailers. If you want to use an online retailer that only participates in the insurance plans, like SmartBuyGlasses, then an insurance plan is right for you. Otherwise, the Eyewear Savings Plan is a great choice.

Can I Use My Individual Vision Insurance or Vision Discount Plan for Online Eyewear Purchases?

Yes! Linneo is vision insurance for online shoppers. Our plans are specifically designed for people who appreciate the convenience and cost-effectiveness of buying eyewear online.

Is Online Eye Care Right For Me?

Online eye care can be a convenient option for some individuals, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Here are some factors to consider when deciding if online eye care is right for you:

Type of service needed: Online eye care is generally best suited for routine services, such as getting a prescription for glasses or contact lenses or getting a general eye exam. If you have a more serious or complex eye condition, you may need to see an eye doctor in person.
Comfort with technology: Online eye care typically involves using technology, such as a computer or smartphone, to communicate with an eye doctor. If you are not comfortable with technology or prefer face-to-face interactions, online eye care may not be the best option for you.
Availability of services in your area: Online eye care may not be available in all areas or for all types of services. Before deciding to use online eye care, you should check to see if the services you need are available in your area.
Cost: Online eye care services may be more affordable than traditional in-person services, but the cost can vary widely depending on the provider and the services offered. You should compare the cost of online services with the cost of in-person services in your area to determine which option is more cost-effective for you.

Overall, online eye care can be a convenient and cost-effective option for individuals who need routine vision care and are comfortable with technology. However, it may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with more serious or complex eye conditions.

Can I Use My Individual Vision Insurance or Vision Discount Plan with any Eye Doctor?

Linneo’s Eyewear Savings Plan (vision discount plan) only includes eyewear from participating online retailers so there are no eye doctors involved.

On the other hand, some of Linneo’s vision insurance plans include an exam allowance. For vision insurance plans, Linneo members can see any eye doctor they choose and Linneo will reimburse the exam allowance.

For example, if a member has a $100 exam allowance and sees an eye doctor that charges $120 for an eye exam, that member can submit a claim to Linneo for reimbursement and Linneo will reimburse that member $100 of the $120 they paid for the exam.

Is It Worth It to Get Individual Vision Insurance?

Whether it’s worth it to get individual vision insurance depends on your individual needs and circumstances. Here are some factors to consider when deciding if vision insurance is worth it for you:

Frequency of eye exams and need for corrective eyewear: If you wear glasses, contact lenses, or require frequent eye exams due to a pre-existing eye condition, vision insurance may be a cost-effective option for you. With vision insurance, you will receive discounts or coverage for these services.
Cost of out-of-pocket expenses: Without vision insurance, the cost of eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses can add up quickly. If you expect to need these services frequently, it will be worth it to pay for vision insurance to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Coverage options: Before purchasing individual vision insurance, make sure to review the coverage options carefully to ensure that the plan covers the services you need at a reasonable cost. Some plans may have higher deductibles or copays than others, so it’s important to compare the options available to you.
Your budget: Vision insurance is an additional expense, so you’ll need to consider whether the cost of the plan fits into your budget. Keep in mind that vision insurance may be tax-deductible, which can help offset the cost.

Overall, individual vision insurance is a good investment if you expect to need routine vision care and corrective eyewear. It is also beneficial if you have a pre-existing eye condition that requires frequent exams. However, if you rarely need these services or can pay for them out of pocket, vision insurance may not be necessary.

Can I Add Vision Insurance to My Existing Health Insurance Plan?

Yes, in many cases, you can add vision insurance to your existing health insurance plan. Some health insurance plans may include vision coverage as part of their standard benefits, while others may offer vision insurance as an optional add-on.

If your health insurance plan does not include vision coverage, you may be able to purchase a separate vision insurance plan from the same insurance company or from a different provider.
It’s important to review the coverage options carefully to ensure that the plan meets your needs and fits within your budget. You should also be aware of any deductibles, copays, or other out-of-pocket costs associated with the plan.

Can I Use My Individual Vision Insurance or Vision Discount Plan Benefits for My Family Members?

Linneo offers three types of coverage for vision insurance (Subscriber, Subscriber Plus One, and Family) and the Eyewear Savings Plan (vision discount plan).

Including your family in your plan depends upon what type of coverage you choose. Subscriber coverage is just for individual use. If Subscriber Plus One is selected the subscriber adds one additional person to your plan—that person has access to your same benefits. The Plus One on your plan can be a spouse or a dependent.

If you select a Family plan, you have the ability to add multiple people to your plan. Typically that means a spouse and one or more dependents. Then, all members of your family have access to the same benefits.

Subscriber Plus One coverage is more expensive than Subscriber coverage and Family coverage is more expensive than Subscriber Plus One coverage. Visit our enrollment page to find out how much you can save.

The rates for Linneo’s Eyewear Savings Plan are universal: $12 per year for Subscriber, $18 per year for Subscriber Plus One, and $24 per year for Family.

Where Can I View My Benefits?

Linneo offers an easy-to-use portal that allows members to access all of their benefits information. Once you have a vision insurance plan with Linneo, all you have to do is log in to view and print ID cards, view your benefit summary, view claims and related documents, edit personal information, view eligibility history, and search for providers.