It’s the time of year when many select healthcare insurance plans or make changes to their coverage for the coming year. Coverage is updated annually but can be impacted by a career change, or changes to your family that will affect insurance needs.
One option that can bring more value to a plan is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through an employer. This benefit option can set aside money to pay for certain healthcare services and dependent care expenses.
However, these funds do not roll over year to year, so it’s important to make purchases before Dec. 31 to use your 2024 funds.
At Carle Health, these plans can be used to cover hearing, vision, medical devices and more to help your family stay healthy. At the Optical Shop in Champaign, FSA can be used to purchase glasses, contacts, readers, sunglasses, frame-only purchases, lens-only purchases and other medical items. FSA is also applicable to purchase Bruder masks, heat masks used to treat dry eyes.
“Children will always benefit from two pairs of glasses as a just in case,” said Betsy Wilson, Optician. “If one should break, they will have the back-up ready to go. If the child is in contacts, it is also very important that their glasses are updated at the same time as their contact lenses.”
Often, Carle Optical can provide a rebate from the contact lens vendor if an annual supply was purchased at one time.
“Adults also benefit from this ‘multiple pair’ theory for many reasons. The back-up, the task specific, such as a computer pair or prescription sunglasses, and glasses are so much more than something you just put on your face every morning,” Wilson said. “They are an extension of how you present yourself to the world, multiple pairs allow you to accessorize and elevate your attire.”
For 2025, selecting a Flex Spending Account, Flex Health Savings, or other coverage should be based on healthcare needs for the next year. These plans can help you budget for your annual supply of contacts and glasses. It’s important to consider what you will need over the next year, as well as what your provider anticipates you needing. This can include prescriptions, equipment, and what may be covered or out-of-pocket.
“When you update your contact lens prescription it is important that you update your glasses prescription at the same time. You never know when an eye infection might occur, or you may run out of contacts. This is especially important if you have a high prescription.”
A virtual try-on tool is also available to see how brands, styles, and colors of glasses look to help you make a remote purchase. Glasses are “tried on” to an uploaded image of your face, or in real-time using a phone or computer camera.
“We have experienced and certified Opticians to help guide and educate you in your purchase process. We take pride in helping you achieve your best vision and expression of your style and personality,” Wilson said.
Stay healthy and prepared by planning for your healthcare vision in 2025, including what your vision will need. For more information, visit Carle.org.
One option that can bring more value to a plan is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through an employer. This benefit option can set aside money to pay for certain healthcare services and dependent care expenses.
However, these funds do not roll over year to year, so it’s important to make purchases before Dec. 31 to use your 2024 funds.
At Carle Health, these plans can be used to cover hearing, vision, medical devices and more to help your family stay healthy. At the Optical Shop in Champaign, FSA can be used to purchase glasses, contacts, readers, sunglasses, frame-only purchases, lens-only purchases and other medical items. FSA is also applicable to purchase Bruder masks, heat masks used to treat dry eyes.
“Children will always benefit from two pairs of glasses as a just in case,” said Betsy Wilson, Optician. “If one should break, they will have the back-up ready to go. If the child is in contacts, it is also very important that their glasses are updated at the same time as their contact lenses.”
Often, Carle Optical can provide a rebate from the contact lens vendor if an annual supply was purchased at one time.
“Adults also benefit from this ‘multiple pair’ theory for many reasons. The back-up, the task specific, such as a computer pair or prescription sunglasses, and glasses are so much more than something you just put on your face every morning,” Wilson said. “They are an extension of how you present yourself to the world, multiple pairs allow you to accessorize and elevate your attire.”
For 2025, selecting a Flex Spending Account, Flex Health Savings, or other coverage should be based on healthcare needs for the next year. These plans can help you budget for your annual supply of contacts and glasses. It’s important to consider what you will need over the next year, as well as what your provider anticipates you needing. This can include prescriptions, equipment, and what may be covered or out-of-pocket.
“When you update your contact lens prescription it is important that you update your glasses prescription at the same time. You never know when an eye infection might occur, or you may run out of contacts. This is especially important if you have a high prescription.”
A virtual try-on tool is also available to see how brands, styles, and colors of glasses look to help you make a remote purchase. Glasses are “tried on” to an uploaded image of your face, or in real-time using a phone or computer camera.
“We have experienced and certified Opticians to help guide and educate you in your purchase process. We take pride in helping you achieve your best vision and expression of your style and personality,” Wilson said.
Stay healthy and prepared by planning for your healthcare vision in 2025, including what your vision will need. For more information, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Staying Healthy
Tags: Account, Benefits, Care, Coverage, Eye, Flex, Ophthalmology, Optical, Optometry, Shop, Spending, Vision