OPTICAL AND EYE CARE INSURANCE
What is eye care insurance?
Eye care insurance – sometimes called optical or vision insurance – is usually offered as a standalone product or as part of a private medical insurance (PMI) plan. While standard health insurance may cover some common eye conditions, optical cover can provide quicker access to treatment if the condition is included in your policy.
Saga doesn’t currently offer eye care insurance as a separate product. However, some eye-related conditions may be covered under our wider health insurance plans, depending on your level of cover. You may also be eligible for a cash benefit to help with the cost of treatment.
So, what types of conditions are typically covered by eye care plans? And what benefits might you expect? Explore our full guide to optical insurance to find out more.
Vision insurance common conditions and treatments
Depending on the type of optical or private medical insurance you choose, these common eye conditions could be covered:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Uveitis
- Macular degeneration
- Dry eye syndrome
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Retinal detachment
This coverage is especially helpful if you have an over 50s health insurance plan, as eye conditions become more common with age.
However, it's important to know that these conditions may only be covered if they develop after your policy starts. If they were diagnosed before your policy began (pre-existing medical conditions), they might not be covered.
Health cash benefits cover and optical care
At Saga, you can enhance your over 50s health insurance by adding Health Cash Benefits Cover. This gives you extra eye care coverage, with up to £150 cashback per person, per year towards optical expenses. This includes:
- Eye tests
- Prescription glasses
- Lenses or contact lenses (paid for by you or your partner, to a qualified optician)
- Laser eye surgery (at a registered clinic)
Our optical care benefit doesn't cover buying frames alone, cleaning solutions, non-prescription sunglasses or repairs. It also doesn't cover cataract surgery and isn’t a stand alone eye insurance product. But you might be able to claim for common eye conditions through other Saga HealthPlan benefits. Be sure to check your policy for details.
You can claim for optical care without paying any excess, and it won't affect your No Claim Discount as long you you’re claiming under Health Cash benefits cover. However, if you were claiming for cataracts under the core part of your Saga HealthPlan, excess applies and your NCD would be impacted if you’re over the excess.
Saga Health Insurance
At Saga, we offer four health insurance plans, each with different levels of coverage:
- Super: Our most comprehensive plan. It includes unlimited outpatient treatment, up to £2,000 a year for therapists (like osteopaths and chiropractors), acupuncturist charges, mental health treatment, private ambulance use, home nursing and recuperative care.
- Secure: This plan offers quick access to inpatient and day patient treatment, up to £2,000 for outpatient consultations and tests and full coverage for CT, MRI, and PET scans.
- Saver Plus: This plan includes access to the Saga GP service, up to £1,500 for outpatient treatment, one outpatient scan, and fast access to inpatient and day patient treatment.
- Support: Our basic over 50s health insurance plan. It provides quick access to inpatient and day patient treatment at private UK hospitals from our list, but no outpatient cover. Only surgical cancer treatments are included.
You can also add our optional Health Cash Benefits Cover to any plan for extra eye health coverage.
Who underwrites Saga Health Insurance?
Saga Health Insurance is a unique product designed by us specifically for our customers and it is only available through us. Together with our underwriter, Bupa Insurance Limited, we are committed to providing high levels of quality, service and choice. That's why we offer a range of policies that can be tailored to suit your needs and budget.
Defaqto 5 Star rated health insurance
We are proud to offer five-star treatment every day with Saga Health Insurance. Saga Healthplan Super is 5 Star rated by Defaqto.
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