The air’s getting crisp, your calendar’s filling up, and holiday lights are just around the corner, but while you’re making plans for turkey dinners and gift shopping, there’s one more thing worth checking off your list: your annual eye exam.
For many families in Georgia, the end of the year isn’t just about celebration; it’s also a deadline. Most vision insurance plans, including VSP, EyeMed, and employer-provided benefits, reset on January 1. That means anything you haven’t used by December 31, like your eye exam, contact lens fitting, or frame allowance, disappears at the end of the year.
At Elevated Eyecare, we see a surge of last-minute patients in November and December who realize they’ve left money on the table. Most plans include:
- One comprehensive eye exam per year
- An annual allowance for glasses or contact lenses
- Discounts on additional eyewear or lens upgrades
But if you skip your appointment? Those benefits disappear. They don’t carry over, meaning you’ve paid into a plan that you never fully used.
What Vision Insurance Actually Covers
Understanding what your plan covers is the key to getting your money’s worth. Most patients are surprised to learn that vision insurance is not the same as medical insurance. Here’s the difference:
Vision Insurance
- Routine eye exams
- A basic pair of prescription glasses or contacts
- Frame and lens allowances (often between $100–$200)
- Add-on discounts for blue light filters or progressive lenses
Medical Insurance
- Eye emergencies
- Conditions like dry eye, infections, glaucoma, or diabetes-related eye issues
If you’ve been putting off your annual checkup because “nothing’s wrong,” remember vision insurance is designed for preventive care. And just like you wouldn’t skip a dental cleaning, your annual eye exam is essential, even if your vision feels fine.
Why November Is the Best Time for an Eye Exam
If you're reading this in November, consider this your two-minute warning. The end-of-year rush is real. Appointments book fast, and waiting until mid-December might mean missing out entirely.
Here’s what happens every year in Decatur, McDonough, and surrounding Georgia communities:
- Parents scramble to get kids’ exams in before school breaks.
- Professionals try to squeeze in appointments before holiday travel.
- Those who wear glasses finally make time to have their lenses updated.
By the time the holiday lights go up, many practices are fully booked. If you wait too long, you may lose your spot and your benefits.
Even if you're unsure what your insurance covers, our team at Elevated Eyecare can help you verify your plan and explain it. We’ve worked with most major providers and can walk you through exactly what’s available to you and your family.
How Elevated Eyecare Helps You Maximize Benefits
We believe vision care should be proactive, not reactive. Here, your exam isn't just a quick vision check. Our eye doctors assess your overall eye health, screen for early signs of disease, and help you choose eyewear that fits your needs and your plan.
Need new glasses? We stock frames for all styles and budgets. Have leftover funds? Use them toward premium lenses, prescription sunglasses, or a second pair of glasses for work or play.
And if your child hasn't had their yearly exam yet, this is the perfect time. Many school-aged children in McDonough and Decatur struggle with undiagnosed vision issues that can affect reading, learning, and focus.
Book Your Eye Exam in Decatur or McDonough
Whether you’re near East Lake, Belvedere Park, Flippen, or Heritage Park, our locations in Decatur and McDonough make it easy to access friendly care before your benefits reset.
Don’t wait until December 30. Let us help you get the most from your plan, whether it’s VSP, EyeMed, or another provider.
Request your appointment at Elevated Eyecare and protect the benefits you’ve already paid for.