Regular eye care is essential for maintaining good vision, which impacts your overall health and well-being. With vision insurance, individuals, families, seniors can prioritize their eye health and avoid costly out-of-pocket expenses.
Vision plans typically offer coverage for routine eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses at a discounted rate.
Many vision insurance plans allow you to use a network of providers, which can save you time and money.
Routine exams and early detection and treatment of eye conditions can help prevent vision loss.
We have a variety of solutions to fit your needs and budget. Consider how often you need eye exams and whether you wear glasses or contacts.
Many vision insurance plans can help you save significantly on eye care services by offering reduced costs when you visit providers within their network.
Once you’ve selected a vision plan and identified an in-network provider, take the next step to prioritize your eye health by scheduling a routine eye exam.
When you visit your eye doctor, be sure to bring your vision insurance card. The doctor will bill your insurance company directly for covered services.
How much can you afford for monthly premiums and potential out-of-pocket costs?
Do you have a preferred eye doctor? If so, check if they participate in the vision insurance plan’s network
Consider the level of coverage you need for routine eye exams (preventive care), eyeglasses or contacts, and any additional vision needs.
How often do you typically visit the eye doctor? Consider a plan that aligns with your eye care routine.
Consider if you need additional coverage for contacts, specialty lenses, or if you have any pre-existing eye conditions.
Children’s vision needs differ from adults. If you have a family, consider plans that cover children’s eye exams.
If you’re active in sports or hobbies that could put your eyes at risk, a plan with additional coverage for certain lens materials (e.g., polycarbonate) might be beneficial.
Average cost of an eye exam and glasses without vision insurance.
adults aged 19-64 don’t have vision insurance
Americans aged 19-64 need some form of vision correction, such as glasses or contacts.
Time average American spends on screen per day, leading to eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision.
*According to the Vision Council, EyeCare America, and National Center for Children’s Vision & Eye Health
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The cost of vision insurance varies depending on the plan you choose, your location, and other factors. Thankfully, we can help you find affordable vision insurance plans that can help you save money on eye care:
Vision benefit plans typically have higher monthly premiums than discount plans, but they may offer more comprehensive coverage.
Plans with a wider selection of eye care professionals (often referred to as a larger network) may have a higher premium compared to plans with a more limited selection.
Plans with more generous coverage for eye exams, eyeglasses, or contacts will typically cost more than plans with lower coverage limits.
Vision insurance can cost more in some areas of the country than in others.
Routine eye exams to check your vision health and detect potential problems.
Covers a portion of the cost of glasses or contact lenses, with limitations or co-pays.
Annual allowances for glasses, contacts, or both, depending on the plan.
Treatment for eye diseases like glaucoma or macular degeneration.
Most vision plans include exclusions for certain surgeries.
Some plans cover eyewear, but basic plans might only cover the cost of your lenses.
Some plans may not cover the additional exam needed for fitting contact lenses.
Generally, with vision insurance, the coverage for contacts and glasses may differ slightly, but the price you pay out-of-pocket can depend on a few things:
Some vision plans might offer a set allowance for either glasses or contacts, but not necessarily both. This could mean you pay a higher copay or have less coverage for one over the other.
The material of your lenses and any special features can significantly impact the cost. For example, high-index lenses for glasses or specialty contact lens materials might have a higher out-of-pocket expense even with insurance.
If you need both glasses and contacts, you might pay more overall compared to someone who only needs one type of corrective lens.
The type of vision plan you enroll in will determine the flexibility you have. Some plans offer benefits through a specific network, and you are required to utilize an in-network provider to receive benefits. Other plans are less restrictive and allow you to select any provider, but your out-of-pocket costs may be more. You need to decide what is most important to you when choosing a plan.
Vision insurance is an insurance policy that pays set benefit amounts for services and products. Depending on the type of exam and/or glasses and lenses needed, you could have no to very little costs out-of-pocket. Vision discount plans typically offer discounts on glasses and contacts and lens options, but usually don’t include exams or specialty items. A vision discount plan can save you money as opposed to no coverage, but the amount you will have to pay will be much higher.
Most vision plans include exclusions for certain options, such as: services or materials of a cosmetic nature, Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT), medical or surgical treatment of the eyes, corrective vision treatment of an Experimental Nature and others. The exclusions would vary by insurance carrier, so it is important to review the exclusions carefully before enrolling
This depends on your age, overall health, and risk factors. However, most vision insurance plans offer coverage for an annual eye exam. It’s best to consult with your eye doctor to determine the appropriate frequency for your individual needs. Your vision insurance plan details will specify how often covered eye exams are allowed.
Generally, vision insurance covers corrective lenses for eyeglasses and contacts. While some plans might offer discounts on sunglasses, they typically wouldn’t be covered for the corrective lens portion. You can check with your specific plan details or provider to see if they offer any coverage for prescription sunglasses.
Vision insurance typically doesn’t cover the replacement of lost or damaged glasses or contacts. Some plans might offer benefits towards a replacement after a certain waiting period, but this is less common. It’s a good idea to check your plan details or contact your provider to understand their policy on replacements.
The “best” vision insurance plan for seniors depends on individual needs, budget, and lifestyle. Key factors to consider include:
Additional tips for seniors:
Private vision insurance plans and employer-provided plans share some similarities, such as offering coverage for eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses. However, there are key differences:
Private Vision Insurance:
Employer-Provided Plans:
Additional considerations:
Vision benefits are not typically included in most health insurance plans offered through the Marketplace during Open Enrollment, though there are some exceptions and additional options. Pediatric vision care is considered an essential health benefit, meaning all Marketplace plans must include coverage for children under 19, and while some plans may offer limited adult vision benefits, it’s not guaranteed. To obtain adult vision coverage, individuals usually need to purchase a separate vision insurance plan which can be done at any time, not just during open enrollment.