payment options

Understanding Medical vs. Vision Insurance

One of the most common questions we hear from patients is: “What’s the difference between medical insurance and vision insurance?” Here’s a quick overview to help you understand how each type of coverage works.

Vision Insurance – Focused on Routine Eye Care

Vision insurance is designed to help with the cost of routine eye care and eyewear. This typically includes:

1. Comprehensive vision exams for glasses or contact lenses

2. Prescription updates for eyewear

3. Discounts or allowances toward glasses and contact lenses

4. Sometimes, coverage for lens coatings and upgrades

Vision insurance does not usually cover the diagnosis or treatment of medical eye conditions. Think of it like a “wellness plan” for your eyes, helping you maintain healthy vision and see clearly day-to-day.

Medical Insurance – Covers Eye Health Conditions

Medical insurance applies when your visit involves an eye health problem or when a systemic health condition affects your eyes. Examples include:

1. Eye diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, or cataracts

2. Eye injuries or infections

3. Diabetic eye exams

4. Dry eye evaluations and treatments

5. Surgeries and advanced procedures

If your appointment is related to a medical diagnosis, your medical insurance will be billed, even if the issue is discovered during a routine exam.

Which One Will We Bill?

1. If you are here for a routine vision exam and eyewear, we’ll use your vision insurance.

2. If you have symptoms such as eye pain, redness, sudden vision changes, or we detect a medical condition during your exam, we’ll bill your medical insurance for the visit.

3. Sometimes, both types of insurance can be used, medical for the health exam and vision for your eyewear.

4. Tip: To make the most of your benefits, be sure to bring both your medical and vision insurance cards to your appointment. Our team can help you determine which coverage applies and answer any questions you have.

No Insurance?

For patients who have little or no vision insurance coverage, flexible payment programs can be arranged. If you have no insurance or do not have vision benefits, there is still a way for you to receive the care you need. To learn more about our payment options, please call our office directly.

Insurance

Most insurance plans are accepted at our office. Since there are so many plans and coverage varies widely, please call us to find out if your plan covers care in our office.​

Vision plans

• VSP

• Eyemed

• Avesis

• AlwaysCare

• Superior/Davis

• Wellpoint
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Medical plans

• AARP

• AARP MCR ADV

• ACE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT

• AETNA & MEDICARE

• AETNA SR SUPPLEMENT

• ALL SAVERS

• ALLSTATE HEALTH SOLUTIONS

• AMERICAN REPUBLIC

• AMVA

• AUTO OWNERS

• AVERA HEALTH & MCR HMO

• AVESIS

• BANKERS LIFE

• BCBS MINNESOTA

• CHAMPVA

• CIGNA

• CIGNA MEDICARE

• CONTINENTAL GENERAL

• COVENTRY

• DAVIS VISION / SUPERIOR VISION

• DMERC NORIDIAN

• EMPLOYERS MUTUAL CASUALTY COMPANY

• EQUITABLE LIFE

• GALLAGHER

• GEHA

• HEALTH PARTNERS

• HUMANA

• IA MUNICIPALITIES WORKERS COMPENSATION

• INDIVIDUAL ASSURANCE COMPANY

• IOWA HEALTH ADVANTAGE

• LIBERTY BANKERS LIFE

• LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE

• LUMICO

• MAIL HANDLERS

• MANHATTAN LIFE

• MEDICA

• MEDICO

• MERITAIN HEALTH

• MOLINA HEALTHCARE

• MUTUAL OF OMAHA

• NATIONAL GENERAL ACCIDENT AND HEALTH

• PREFERRED ONE

• PHILADELPHIA AMERICAN

• PHYSICIANS MUTUAL

• RAILROAD MEDICARE

• RESERVE NATIONAL

• RISK ADMINISTRATION SERVICES INC

• RURAL CARRIER BENEFIT

• SANFORD HEALTH PLAN

• SEDGWICK CMS – DES MOINES

• SILAC

• STATE FARM

• STATE MUTUAL

• STERLING NATIONAL

• THIRD COAST UNDERWRITERS

• THRIVENT FINANCIAL

• TRAVELER'S

• TRICARE WEST

• UMR

• UNITED HEALTH CARE

• UNITED NATIONAL LIFE

• VERSANT/WELLPOINT

• WASHINGTON NATIONAL

• WELLPOINT MA

• WELLMARK ADVANTAGE

• WELLMARK BCBS IA

• WOODMEN LIFE

• WPS MEDICARE​​​​​​​