Is Eye Care Covered by Health Insurance?

Health insurance is something which is taken out in order to ensure that you are covered for various medical procedures should the unforeseen happen. The level of benefit you receive usually varies from company to company, but the usual rule of thumb is that the higher the monthly premium, the richer the policy benefits. Many health insurers will give you an amount of money back towards health care bills, which are deemed essential. These health care bills would include such medical costs as:

•   Optical expenses, which would include things such as prescription sunglasses, sight testing, glasses and contact lenses (there is usually an upper limit for this which can be found on your health insurance policy documentation).
•   Dental treatment expenses, this would include treatment such as fillings, crowns, check ups etc (again there would usually be an upper limit inforced).
•   Treatments such as chiropractic, homeopathy, chirpody, osteopathy and physiotherapy.
•   You can also claim for fees on diagnostic testing such as x-rays and MRI scans as well as private consultation fees.

There is usually an upper limit enforced for the above, for instance, if you had an upper limit of £500.00 on your health insurance policy and your treatment was £800.00, then you would have to stand to the cost of £300.00 and the health insurance would give you the £500.00.

Is the plan beneficial for claiming optical expenses?

Usually you can claim the optical expenses back once every say 2 years (check with your health insurance plan). So if you are a regular wearer of glasses then this plan is beneficial. The plan also ensures that you are not paying out a lump sum all at once.

How does the health insurance policy work?

Once you have decided to go ahead with the health insurance plan, then after a relatively simple application process you are ready to roll. Your health insurer will then set you up a monthly instalment plan, which is usually paid by direct debit.

Claiming couldn’t be simpler

Usually, you, the policy holder will be expected to pay upfront for what is classed as essential treatment. Make sure that you keep hold of your receipt, you will often be asked to fill in a claim form and provide a receipt for the treatment and the money will then be refunded to you (usually into your bank/building society).