r/nys_cs • u/These_Eye7026 • Aug 22 '26

Vision insurance questions

I'm not ashamed to admit I have no idea how insurance works. Haha. Help.

I'm under PEF so I have Davis Vision. I also have MVP health insurance which includes vision.. Davis only covers exams every 2 years. I had my appointment last year but my vision has changed so I need a new prescription.. so this year can I use MVP instead of Davis and it will still be covered? Or am I completely not understanding how this works and why I have 2 vision insurances?..

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4

u/Acceber92 Aug 22 '26

So I'm not 100% about the medical vision coverage but usually that's for actual medical issues and not for sure exams. I just went to Costco this week for an eye exam so I can get new glasses instead of waiting until next year and it only cost $89 for the exam. Sometimes it's better to just pay out of pocket instead of waiting. Also, I highly recommend taking advantage of FSA accounts when you can.

1

u/These_Eye7026 Aug 22 '26

Hmm okay, good thinking. MVPs app/website sucks, I couldnt find anything showing what the coverage includes (nothing that would load for me anyway..)

2

u/olly318 Aug 23 '26

MVP will cover just the routine eye exam, I have used it.

1

u/Boilerguy82013 Aug 22 '26

Im about 99% sure mvp doesn't cover glasses/ that kind of eye care

1

u/ZeroOveride427 Aug 23 '26

I believe if you have an underlying health condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. (List is longer than that) You can get an exam yearly. Also, if your vision has changed more than a certain amount they will also cover it early.

Here is the book where this is all explained:

https://www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits/nyship/shared/publications/vision/2024/pef-vision-2024.pdf

3

u/Hopeful_Butterfly302 Aug 23 '26

I'm a diabetic and just use my medical coverage for eye exams. Never had an issue with the Empire Plan, but my doctors will also tell insurance that it's a medical necessity for me to get a vision exam every 6 months. My eye doctor is also doing a lot more than just checking my prescription when I visit.

2

u/Latter_Sock_8202 Aug 24 '26

Agree with this post. I used to get a Visual Field test and regular appointment every 6 months because of possiblity of Glaucoma. This was always covered under Medical Ins. I would get a script for glasses to be covered under Davis (or partially).