What is the difference between a Medical Eye Exam and a Vision Exam?
Insurance coverage for eye exams varies. Some plans only cover routine, well eye exams. Other plans will not cover your exam unless you have a eye-related medical condition or disease. Some plans require a referral from your primary care physician. Be sure to check your policy to determine your coverage prior to your appointment.

For insurance purposes, eye examinations are divided into two categories:

• Vision Exam:
  These are routine (Well Vision) exams for people who have no medical symptoms, complaints, conditions, or eye diseases. Your eyes will be examined for any needed correction (glasses or contact lenses) or any potential indicators for eye disease. If any medical condition is detected during the course of your vision exam, further medical testing may be required at a future date. In this case, your medical insurance will be billed.
   
• Medical Exam:
  This is a medically necessary comprehensive eye examination to diagnose and treat diseases and conditions of the eye. This exam evaluates the reasons for the symptoms and assesses any treatment needed. Some conditions evaluated with medical eye exams include cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, side effects of high risk medications, and other potentially sight-threatening diseases.

Routine vision exams do not qualify for prescribing medications. Yearly diabetic eye exams are considered medical examsn and cannot be billed to insurance under vision coverage.