Use It or Lose It: Maximize Your End-of-Year Insurance Benefits

As the end of the year approaches, many people rush to take advantage of their health insurance benefits before they expire. If you’ve been putting off your annual eye exam, updates to your contacts or glasses, or other eye care, now is the time to act! Most insurance plans, including flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs), operate on a "use it or lose it" basis, meaning that any unused benefits won’t roll over into the new year, and you could miss out on valuable savings.

Below, our Troy eye care team at Unger Eye Wellness discusses how best to make the most of your end-of-year insurance benefits today.

Schedule Your Annual Eye Exam

Annual eye exams are essential for maintaining your overall eye health. Even if your vision seems perfect, routine check-ups help detect early signs of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Your end-of-year insurance benefits often cover these exams, so take advantage of them while you still can! A quick visit now could save you from costly treatments later.

Why Eye Exams Are Important

• Preventative care: Detecting eye conditions early can prevent vision loss.
• Vision changes: Your prescription might have changed over the year, even if you don’t notice.
• General health: Eye exams can also reveal signs of other health issues, like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Upgrade Your Glasses or Contact Lenses

If you’ve been thinking about updating your glasses or switching to contact lenses, now is the perfect time. Many insurance plans offer allowances for new eyewear every year. Don’t let those benefits slip away! Whether you want to try a new frame style or need a stronger prescription, using your insurance now can help you avoid out-of-pocket expenses later.

How Insurance Can Help

• Eyeglass frames and lenses: Most plans cover a portion of the cost of new frames and lenses.
• Contact lenses: If you prefer contacts, you can use your benefits for a year’s supply.
• Prescription or non-prescription sunglasses: Perfect for protecting your eyes from harmful UV radiation and glare while driving or spending time outdoors.

Consider Specialty Eye Care Services

If you've been considering any specialized eye care, such as treatment for binocular vision dysfunction or dry eye management, this is the perfect time to use your insurance benefits. These treatments can be expensive out of pocket, but your end-of-year benefits might cover part of the cost, ensuring you get the care you need without a large financial burden.

Your Eye Care: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!

As the year comes to an end, appointment slots fill up quickly. Schedule your eye exam or treatment now to ensure you don’t miss out on your benefits. Don’t let your hard-earned insurance go to waste! Call us today to make sure your eyes—and your wallet—stay in great shape well into the new year!