As anyone who’s dealt with eye conditions and other vision problems would know, the costs associated with treatment can be quite substantial.
The price of exams, co-pays, and prescription glasses can quickly add up, which is why many people with eye conditions may find themselves wondering if there would be any insurance coverage for the treatment they need.
One common question among people with light sensitivity is whether or not OptiLight is covered by insurance. To help shed some light on the topic, some insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost of OptiLight, while others might require you to make an out-of-pocket payment.
What is OptiLight?
Before diving deeper into whether or not OptiLight is covered by insurance, it would be helpful to understand what this treatment is.
OptiLight by Lumenis is a non-invasive, precise pulse of light which can help reduce symptoms associated with light sensitivity and dry eye. This can include boosting how long your tears stick around, cutting down on tiny mites and bacteria around your eyes, removing any blood vessels that cause inflammation, and stepping up how well your meibomian glands work.
Interestingly, it’s the first and sole intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment that has received FDA approval for dry eye management. You’ll be pleased to know it’s not only safe and gentle, but more than 20 clinical studies support it.
Coverage Depends on Your Insurance Plan
Whether or not OptiLight is covered by your insurance plan ultimately depends on your specific plan and policy. The surefire way to know is to look at your plan documents.
Some insurance companies may cover OptiLight, but others might not. You could find yourself with only partial coverage or, in some cases, complete coverage.
You’ll have to contact your insurance provider to determine what your insurance plan will cover. They can fill you in on all the details.
OptiLight is considered a cosmetic procedure by most insurance companies. This means that insurance plans do not typically cover it. However, there are some cases where insurance companies will cover the cost of OptiLight. For example, if your vision is severely impaired and glasses or contacts can’t correct it, your insurance company may consider OptiLight as a necessary medical treatment and cover the cost.
Insurance Plans We Accept
At Eyesmate Vision Care, we want to make sure you can get eye care that’s both easy to access and simple to deal with. That’s why we’ve teamed up with many insurance providers so you’ve got options for covering your family’s eye care costs.
Check out our list of insurance providers we accept:
Medical insurance we accept:
- AARP
- Aetna
- Bright Health
- Cigna
- EmblemHealth Enhanced Care PRIME
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Fidelis
- Healthfirst
- Humana
- MagnaCare
- MetroPlusHealth
- Nippon Life
- Oxford
- Student Life Resource
- United Healthcare
- VillageCareMAX
Vision insurance we accept:
- Davis Vision
- EyeMed
- Spectera
- Superior Vision
- VSP
When to Consider OptiLight
If you are highly sensitive to light and often find yourself squinting or experiencing headaches as a result, or if you’re experiencing symptoms of dry eye and methods such as prescription eye drops don’t seem to be working, OptiLight may be a treatment worth considering.
This is especially true if you find that traditional sunglasses and other light-blocking solutions aren’t sufficient to address your light sensitivity.
OptiLight can be a good choice for people with certain skin disorders, who have been severely sunburned recently, or have experienced keloid scarring.
Alternative Options for Treating Light Sensitivity
If OptiLight isn’t covered by your insurance plan, or if you’re looking for additional options, a few other approaches could help address light sensitivity.
For example, investing in a quality pair of polarized sunglasses can help reduce glare in bright light. Tinted and photochromic lenses may also be options, although, as with OptiLight, coverage can vary depending on your plan.
It may also be helpful to manage your screen time and take regular eye breaks to avoid exacerbating light sensitivity symptoms.
Balancing Quality & Cost
Ultimately, deciding to invest in OptiLight or any other type of treatment for dry eye syndrome and light sensitivity comes down to finding a balance between quality and cost.
While investing in high-quality vision care can yield substantial benefits in the long term, it is also important to be mindful of your budget and insurance coverage.
When considering OptiLight as a treatment option, it may be helpful to research different providers and options, as prices can vary significantly.
Insurance Coverage for OptiLight
Whether OptiLight is covered by insurance depends on your insurance policy and whether the procedure is medically necessary or cosmetic to your insurance provider.
Regardless of insurance coverage, it is important for those struggling with light sensitivity to know what types of treatments are available and to pursue options that can help improve quality of life.
Whether that involves investing in OptiLight or exploring other approaches, such as polarized sunglasses or tinted lenses, be sure to do your research, consider your budget, and speak with your healthcare provider to find the right solution for you.The team at Eyesmate Vision Care is available to answer any questions about our services or insurance, and we’re happy to help you with your eye and overall health. Book your next appointment today!
