As the year winds down, many people find themselves rushing to make the most of their remaining healthcare benefits. If you’ve been putting it off, you’re not alone. While it’s tempting to simply prioritize practitioners like RMTs and chiropractors, your vision test is one of the most important but overlooked appointments.

As an optometrist with close to a decade of expertise, I have worked with patients who have vision coverage from a large variety of providers. I’ll break down how you can make the most of your eye care benefits before the year ends, and why booking an appointment now could save you money. So, let’s dive into:

How do I make the most of my vision benefits?
Where can I get an eye checkup near me?
How do I find an optometrist I can trust?
Why now is the perfect time to schedule your eye exam?

Why Time’s Running Out to Schedule Your Vision Test

Most vision insurance plans offer coverage for eye exams, glasses, or contact lenses every two years, but your insurance benefits probably expire at the end of the year. If you don’t use them, you lose them.

Why should you care? You might think your eyesight is fine, but vision problems can sneak up on you gradually. And here’s the kicker: getting your annual or bi-annual eye exam is not only about your vision. Comprehensive eye exams can reveal underlying eye and systemic health conditions that can be serious like:

Glaucoma
Cataracts
Macular degeneration
Diabetic retinopathy
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol
Thyroid disease
Multiple sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Brain tumors

5 Key Insurance Provider Differences: How Covered is Your Vision Test?

When it comes to visual coverage, not all suppliers are equal. Most people have experienced variations in vision benefits when they’ve switched jobs or perhaps taken advantage of a spouse’s benefits plan.Depending on your plan, the amount covered for your vision test and other eye care needs will vary. To help, we’ve broken down details for 5 of the most commonly used British Columbia health insurance providers:

1. Sun Life

Often covers a vision test up to a certain sum, currently a $50 maximum per year per eye exam, but this does not deplete your overall vision benefit, so you still have the full vision allotment to spend on glasses or contacts!

Optometrist Warning: If you have the Basic plan, it does not include vision.

2. Canada Life

In contrast, Canada Life may include eye exams in your overall vision maximum, which means that if you use some of your benefits for an eye checkup, you will have less left over for eyeglasses.

Optometrist Tip: Canada Life offers 100% vision coverage!

3. Costco

Costco’s vision benefits often come as a membership perk rather than insurance coverage. While you may get discounts on eye exams and eyewear, it’s important to note that they don’t offer standalone insurance coverage like traditional providers. Their health coverage is offered through Manulife.

Optometrist Tip: Gain extra vision and prescription coverage when purchasing from Costco Optical and Hearing Aid Centers.

4. Pacific Blue Cross

One vision exam every two years is covered, with a six month waiting period across all plans. Pacific Blue Cross also provides either partial or full coverage for a contact lens evaluation. Unsure if you need an assessment? Dive into our Ultimate Guide to Contact Lens Fitting and discover if you should be booking a contact lens assessment in addition to your vision test.

Optometrist Warning: Pacific Blue Cross is part of the Canadian Blue Cross network but operates independently in BC and Yukon. Despite its Blue Cross branding, it is a separate company that provides health, dental, and travel insurance to BC and Yukon individuals and employers. Other Canadian provinces and areas have distinct Blue Cross providers.

5. CAA (Canadian Automobile Association)

Similar to Blue Cross, CAA provides separate allowances for eye exams, so when you are ready to find an optometrist, your exam will not cut into the amount you can spend on new glasses or contacts.

Understanding the details of your plan will help you get the most out of your vision benefits, so double-check the specifics of what’s covered before scheduling an eye exam near me or getting new glasses.

REO has direct billing coverage for over 18+ different insurance companies!

Where to Get an Eye Checkup Near Me

As the cost for a vision test tends to be relatively similar across most clinics, when you are ready to find an optometrist, it’s important to focus on the quality of care and expertise rather than just the price of a vision test. Consider factors like:

The optometrist’s experience
Patient reviews
How comfortable you feel during your visit.

A skilled and caring optometrist can make a significant difference in detecting potential eye issues early and providing personalized solutions. So, when looking for an eye checkup near you, prioritize finding someone you trust to care for your long-term eye health. Not sure what to look for? Check out this 8-step guide vetted by top professionals and ensure you’re getting the best care possible!

Ready to Book Your Vision Test?

With the end of the year approaching, there is no better time to care for your eyes. For personalized care, visit the leading eye doctor Vancouver locals rely on for their vision needs. At Real Eyes Optometry, we’re here to help you make the most of your vision coverage. Our professional optometrists are ready to give you a thorough vision test, answer any questions you may have, and, if necessary, guide you through the process of selecting the best eyewear.