Did You Know Your Vision Benefits Could Disappear by December 31?
As the year comes to a close, most people focus on holiday plans, shopping lists, or taking time off work. However, many overlook a benefit that could save them hundreds of dollars and help protect their long-term eye health: their vision insurance benefits.
At Sullivan Ostoich Eye Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, we see this happen every December. Patients rush to schedule an appointment after realizing their unused benefits will expire at the end of the year. If you have employer-provided vision insurance, your benefits likely follow the calendar year as well, making now the ideal time to maximize your vision insurance before it resets.
Thankfully, there’s still time to use your vision benefits. Here’s what they usually cover, why they expire, and how to make sure you get every bit of value before the clock resets.
Why Do Vision Benefits Expire?
Most vision insurance plans run on a calendar year. If you don’t use the included services or allowances before December 31, those benefits go unused. They don’t carry over. You can’t request reimbursement later or get credit for what you missed.
This system encourages patients to maintain their eye health with regular exams and timely updates to their glasses or contact lenses. But unless you already have a reminder system, it's easy to forget about scheduling that eye doctor appointment until the deadline is dangerously close.
What Does Vision Insurance Usually Cover?
Most vision plans typically support preventive eye care and help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for essentials like:
- One annual comprehensive eye exam
- An allowance for prescription glasses or contact lenses
- Discounts on lens upgrades or specialty contacts
These benefits aren’t just about clarity. A yearly eye exam also plays a big role in your overall health. During a routine visit, we can detect early signs of:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
This applies to children, too. Kids often don’t realize they have a vision problem, which can impact their learning and daily comfort. If your plan covers dependents, now is a great time to schedule exams for your children before benefits expire. Regular exams help detect issues like nearsightedness, eye-teaming problems, or developmental conditions early, when treatment is most effective.
Unsure what your insurance includes? You can visit our Vision Insurance Information page or contact our team directly. We’re happy to help walk you through it.
How to Maximize Your Vision Insurance Before Year-End
You still have time to make the most of your plan, especially if you act now. Here are a few ways to use your vision benefits before they reset:
1. Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam
This is the cornerstone of your vision care. An eye exam does more than update your prescription. It gives our team the chance to spot changes in your eye health, check for early signs of disease, and ensure your vision stays sharp. If you haven't visited us in over a year, now is the time to come in.
2. Update Your Glasses or Contact Lenses
If your plan includes a frame or contact lens allowance, don’t let that benefit slip away unused. Even if your prescription has not changed much, a fresh pair of glasses or backup contacts can make daily life more comfortable. Visit our Contact Lens Exams page to learn more about your options.
3. Take Care of Small Issues Before They Become Big Ones
Even a slight change in your prescription or a minor eye irritation can turn into a bigger issue if ignored. Taking action now helps you maximize your vision insurance and avoid costly complications later.
Request Your Eye Doctor Appointment Today
As the end of December approaches, it becomes increasingly difficult to find available appointments. We want to ensure that you receive the care you deserve without compromising your insurance coverage.
Don’t wait until the last week of the year to call. Schedule your eye doctor appointment at Sullivan Ostoich Eye Center in Illinois today. We’ll help you maximize your vision plan benefits before they reset.
Request an eye care appointment now and finish the year with a clear view and a confident step into 2026.
