Beware: Having vision problems or impairments can be more costly than you think - even if you have health insurance.
According to a May 2005 survey commissioned by Aflac, the insurance company, more than half of Americans have vision problems or impairments of some sort. Of the 1,006 adults who were randomly surveyed by telephone, 40 percent said they avoided or postponed vision care because of cost.
Further, the National Eye Institute published research findings on its Web site confirming that more than 11 million people in the U.S. have some sort of visual impairment that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses. Its findings also reveal that as Americans age, treatment for eye disorders and blindness is estimated to cost more than $16 billion annually.
"Employers and employees alike are looking to new alternatives to deal with health care costs, whether related to eye care or other types of medical needs," said Daniel P. Amos, chairman and chief executive officer of Aflac. "It is increasingly important for consumers and employers to understand the coverage options available to them."
The American Optometric Association reports that a recent
survey showed that about 66 percent of employees would trade at least one vacation day for vision coverage. While the number of employers making vision benefits available has increased steadily over the last few years, those traditional plans tend to give discounts on only the basics - eye exams, for instance.
Aflac's Vision Now plan has the same basic benefits but also extends the coverage to include serious eye conditions that require surgery or other forms of treatment. It also offers benefits for the loss of sight.
The Vision Now plan is only offered through employers. For more information about Aflac, visit www.aflac.com. - NU |
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