If you have vision insurance through work — VSP, EyeMed, or a flexible spending account — most of those benefits reset at midnight on Dec 31, 2026. Anything you don't use by then is gone. Here's what resets, what you can still use it on, and why scheduling in November beats waiting.
What actually resets on December 31
Vision insurance doesn't work like medical insurance. Most plans give you a fixed set of benefits each year — one comprehensive exam, a contact lens allowance, and/or a frame allowance. Those benefits don't roll over. If you don't use them by December 31, they disappear.
Three things reset at the end of the year for most patients:
VSP benefits. If your plan runs on a calendar year (most do), your exam and materials benefits reset January 1. A small number of VSP plans run on a different cycle tied to your anniversary date, so if you're not sure, we can check for you in a minute or two.
EyeMed benefits. Most EyeMed plans are calendar-year, and unused exam, frame, and contact lens allowances don't carry over.
FSA and HSA dollars. If you have a flexible spending account through work, unused funds typically expire December 31 (some plans allow a small carryover or a grace period into March — check with your HR). HSA dollars don't expire, but if you've been saving them for eyewear, this is still a good time to use them.
The most common thing we hear in December is some version of "I didn't realize I had anything to use." If you've gone a year without an eye exam, there's a good chance you have benefits sitting there.
What your benefits can cover
Most patients use their year-end benefits on the obvious things like the exam and a new pair of glasses. A few options get overlooked:
A comprehensive eye exam. This is the baseline and the thing we most want you to come in for. We take an unhurried approach — real time with Dr. Hoffman, a thorough refraction, and TrueColor retinal imaging with our Eidon camera so we can actually see what's going on at the back of your eye.
New glasses. VSP and EyeMed both include a frame allowance and lens coverage. We carry independent lines you won't find at chain optical stores: Salt, OVVO, Morel, MODO, State, and others — alongside Maui Jim, Oakley, and Coach. If you're due for a new pair and your frame allowance is sitting unused, this is the time.
Contact lenses. If you wear contacts, your plan likely has a separate allowance for a contact lens fitting and an annual supply. Buying a year's supply before December 31 locks in this year's allowance and often qualifies for manufacturer rebates on top.
A second pair or prescription sunglasses. Benefits don't usually cover a second pair in full, but we offer patient pricing on additional pairs that often beats the allowance math on a single pair. If you've been meaning to get a dedicated computer pair or prescription sunglasses, it’s worth asking about.
FSA-eligible services your vision plan won't cover. This is the one most patients miss. Dry eye treatments like our InMode IPL/RF, specialty contact lens fittings, and even premium lens upgrades are typically FSA-eligible. If you have FSA dollars sitting there and a dry eye problem you've been putting off, those two things line up.
Medical eye care — dry eye, diabetic eye exams, red eye, sudden vision changes, glaucoma monitoring — runs through your medical insurance, not your vision plan, and has its own deductibles and timing. If you've already met your medical deductible this year, that's another reason not to wait.
Why November beats December
Every year we watch the same thing happen: a quiet November, then a flood of calls the third week of December from patients hoping to get in before the year ends. We do our best, but there are real limits.
The practical issues:
Appointments fill up. We're a single-doctor practice. Dr. Hoffman spends real time with each patient, so that limits the number of exams we can see in a day. The week between Christmas and New Year's typically books out by early December.
Lab turnaround slows around the holidays. Order your glasses in November to have new frames for the holidays. If you order glasses after December 15, they likely won't be ready until after January 1. You still use this year's benefits as long as the order is placed in December, but you may not have the glasses in hand for the holidays.
Contact lens shipping is slower too. Annual supply orders placed close to Christmas can sit in warehouse queues until after New Year's.
How to use your benefits at Hoffman Eyecare
We're in-network with VSP and EyeMed, and we accept most major medical insurances including Medicare. If you're not sure what you have, we can usually figure it out in a short phone call. Bring your insurance card information and we'll check your benefits for you.
A few things that help:
If you have FSA dollars, check your deadline. Most are December 31, but some employers offer a grace period into March or a small carryover — your HR or FSA administrator can tell you which.
If you wear contacts, bring your current prescription or box. It saves us time on the fitting and makes the annual supply order faster.
To schedule, call us at (317) 399-1530 or book online at hoffmaneye.com. We're at 1479 W Tournament Trail in Westfield, and November is filling up fast.
If you're already a patient and your family members haven't been in yet, their benefits reset at year-end too. We see patients of all ages, and we try to schedule family appointments back-to-back when we can.
That's it. If you have benefits sitting there, use them. If you're not sure, call us and we'll help you find out.