Seniors, can we talk?
I’m happy to report that Ruth, Betty and David had a wonderful “road trip” vacation. They enjoyed great food and had lots of new adventures. One thing they did discover was that it was difficult reading road signs. They ended up in places they did not intend to and it took a little longer to get to some of their destinations. Does this sound familiar? Afterwards they laughed and said they probably all needed to get their eyes checked. It had been a few years since their last exam and an exam was obviously overdue. We all have a tendency to get lazy about having an annual checkup until someone tells us our shoes don’t match or it becomes very frustrating trying to find a new place because the signage isn’t BIG enough! Let’s talk about each of their situations when they got their eyes examined. Ruth had added vision insurance when she bought her dental plan. She uses a participating provider (a provider who participates in the insurance company’s plan and accepts what the plan pays). The $10 copay was all she had to pay for her annual exam. Obviously her lenses needed to be “upgraded” (a gentle way to say strengthened!). Ruth only had to pay a $25 copay to get new single vision lenses. She didn’t get new frames but decided to keep the “cute” frames she and Betty selected last year. Betty’s Medicare Supplement provides an annual vision exam, if she goes to a participating provider. (Remember to always check if the provider is in your plan’s network before you make your appointment – it will really save you money.) Betty did confirm her optometrist is in her plan’s network and her exam was covered in full. Her Medicare Supplement does not cover lenses but does offer a small discount. Since Betty wears no-line progressive lens, she appreciated that discount. Then there’s poor David. David has not been wearing glasses. (Since he did most of the driving on their trip, do you think that’s why they had so many unplanned adventures?) David has no vision insurance and his Medicare Supplement plan does not provide for an annual exam. Even though he went to the same optometrist that Ruth and Betty went to, his exam cost $120! Plus he needs glasses – surprised? He needs single vision lenses plus he has to select frames. Luckily he has Ruth and Betty to help him select some handsome frames particularly since he has to pay full price for them. After David paid his bill of over $300, he is now looking into a vision plan. Which situation are you in? Ruth who only paid copays, Betty who is covered by a participating provider for her exam and gets a small discount on lenses and frames or David who just had to get his checkbook out? Want to talk about your situation and how it’s working for you? Just call 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?”
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AuthorCaroline Beauchamp specializes in personalized life and health insurance solutions. Archives
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