Insurance question.

[CTmomof3]

How do I find out if my son has vision coverage and if so where are the providers in his area?  He's in need of contacts and doesn't know what to do.

[Craig]

Normally, he would get an eye exam, and the ophthalmologist would write a prescription
for the contact lenses. He would have to pay for the contacts. However, there are exceptions,
depending on what rating and assignment you're in, the Navy will pick up the tab. He really
needs to check with the ophthalmologist and they will give him the information.

Secondly, he needs to ask them about LASIK. The Navy is now doing LASIK on members for free. If
he meets the criteria, and they offer it, then he should really think about doing it.


Washington, DC--Beginning immediately, if you're a naval aviator or SEAL, and your
commanding officer says you need contact lenses instead of glasses on the job, the
Navy will pay for them.

In the past, most Navy personnel who needed to wear contact lenses to enhance their
effectiveness on the job paid for the lenses themselves. But beginning 1 January 1997,
contact lenses and solutions are being provided to Navy and Marine Corps pilots, flight
officers and air crew as well as special warfare personnel (i.e., SEALS) whose job requires
they wear contact lenses.

The new policy is implemented by CNO message 042158Z December 1996.
"The member's commanding officer is the 'gatekeeper' on who in their unit should be
authorized contacts," said LCDR Ann Bobeck, MSC, health care analyst at the Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). "He or she will be the one who will determine whether or
not it's operationally necessary."According to Bobeck, some of the reasons it's "mission
essential" for aviators and SEALS to

wear contact lenses is that their jobs often require them to wear night vision devices, protective
eye equipment, diving masks, and other devices, all of which preclude wearing glasses. Eligibility
for contact lenses must be documented in writing by the member's commanding officer to the
supporting military treatment facility (MTF). Contact lenses fitting and follow- up care will be
provided by ophthalmology or optometry clinics in the MTF.

Marine Corps aviators and air crew members have been authorized contact lenses since 1992. For
them, the only change will be that they will now be supported by Navy MTFs for procurement of lenses.
The submarine contact lenses program will not be affected by this policy change.
Additional guidance on implementing the contact lenses program is available in BUMED
message 111510Z December 1996.

[CTmomof3]

Does the Navy insurance cover the exams or is that on his dime too?

[Angie]

Anything with contacts is at his expence the USN only pays glasses and the glasses exam.

[Craig]

Angie - Every eye doctor I've ever seen in the Navy always wrote a prescription for contact, if asked.  They

are not require to, but I have never had one say no.  

For the civilians - Yes all eye exams are free, they are required to write prescriptions for glasses and provide BCD.  The script for the contacts will be free is the doctor is willing to write it.

[Angie]

Craig...not sure what doc's you have seen but I have asked everywhere I have been stationed and they will give me a glasses prescription which is different than a contact prescription.  Also the glasses we are issued now (after bootcamp) are WAY different than the BCD's.  We get to pick from a rack of them, some nice ones too.

 

I wear both glasses and contacts so yes I do know first hand.  Also I just had an eye exam a little over a month ago and asked again about contacts.  The answer was no they don't do it. 

 

 

[Craig]

Angie - Remember, I'm old Navy.  We did alot of cool stuff when I was in.  That is really weird to me that they wouldn't write the script for contacts.  Have you asked about the free LASIK? 

Per the glasses, I worked with the submarine group (COMSUBGRU10) in Kings Bay Georgia.  The submarine guys were issued really cool wire framed glasses, and even though I wasn't a submarine guy myself, I was issued them because I was a member of their team.  So my whole career from then on, I was issued wire frames since it was documented in my medical record.  

[Angie]

I looked into eye surgery but not really for me due to what is wrong with my eye. 

 

[CTmomof3]

So, if I'm reading this correctly. He goes to an eye Dr and the entire expense is on his dime exam and contacts. The navy would only cover if he were to get new glasses correct? Hmm, I wonder since he's just out of bootcamp and I haven't taken him off my insurance yet. I wonder if my ins would still cover him.  His pay is peanuts and this will cost him a lot.   Just why, oh why, he waited till now to discover he wanted contacts I will never know. A few months ago he wouldn't be in the predicament.    Gotta love boys...

How does he go about finding info on lasik?

[Craig]

CTmom - Have him make an appointment to get an eye exam.  When he is in there, have him ask the doctor if he could write a script for contacts.  If not, have him go in town and pay the $90 for the exam.  Either way he would still have to pay for the contacts.

Secondly, had him ask about LASIK.  The eye doctor will let him know if it is available in that area.  I know where I live, we have a civilian doctor that does 2000 military members for free each year, to show support for the military. 

Everything starts with him going to the eye doctor.

[CTmomof3]

ok will do thanks

 

[blackie123]

I actually work for an optometrist and we accept Tricare. the coverage depends on the plan. For Tricare prime active duty the basic eye exam is covered for the sponsor and dependents at one evry 365 days (basic meaning the eye exam to obtain an eye glass rx). Anything to do with contacts such as any contact lens evaluation fee and the contacts themselves are the patients responsibility.

[Angie]

Thank you for the up to date info! .