USE YOUR BENEFITS

Vision insurance, decoded without the headache.

Vision insurance is the most underused benefit in American employment. Millions of people pay for it, forget they have it, and then pay full price for glasses. Don't be those people. Here's the decode.

**In-network vs. out-of-network** is the whole game. In-network providers have contracted rates with your plan — you pay a copay, the plan covers the rest up to an allowance, done. Out-of-network means you pay upfront and file for reimbursement, usually at a lower rate. Neither is automatically better, but in-network is simpler, and for most people, simpler wins. Note the trend: players like Warby Parker have pushed in-network insurance penetration to around 10% of their business, which tells you the plans are finally meeting customers where they shop.

**What plans typically cover:** an annual eye exam (small copay), plus an allowance toward frames or contact lenses, and a contribution toward lenses. The frame allowance is the number to know — it resets yearly, and it doesn't roll over.

**The move:** schedule the exam first, get the prescription and the PD (see p72), then shop the allowance like cash. And check whether your plan covers a second pair — many do, and that's your prescription sunglasses sorted.

Watch the fine print on one thing: some plans discount heavily in-network but reimburse generously out-of-network, and the math can favor going rogue if you've found a shop you love. Run both numbers before you commit. And if your employer offers a vision plan during open enrollment and you've been skipping it — this is your sign. The premium is usually less than one pair of glasses.

Millions pay for vision insurance and forget it exists. Check yours today.