Today, we’ve decided to take a close look at some of the best vision insurance plans available in 2019. As with most healthcare options, your eye coverage will likely come at a cost. That’s why we’ve decided to factor in pricing to help determine your best options.
What Is Vision Insurance?
Vision insurance, or eye insurance, is unlike traditional health insurance plans. Typically, medical insurance policies cover benefits after all copays and deductibles have been satisfied. Eye insurance usually consists of discounts schedules and wellness benefit plans. These eye insurance plans offer significant savings that can be used on progressive lenses, and anti-reflective coating, making the cost more affordable to the consumer.
Generally, those enrolled in vision insurance will pay a fixed fee (or premium) monthly to have their vision needs covered. In addition to routine eye exams, vision insurance often covers the cost of corrective lenses and frames. Coverage may also be available for additional treatments such as laser surgery or specialty contact lenses. Most employers also offer a discounted rate on vision insurance plans to their employees!
Is It Included In Traditional Health Insurance Plans?
While vision coverage may sometimes be included as part of your employer benefits or individual policies, eye insurance is typically purchased as a stand-alone plan. Even with health insurance plans that include vision, your coverage will likely remain limited, which is why it’s still a good idea to explore more comprehensive supplemental options. Vision insurance often provides more flexibility than regular health plans when it comes to covering costs for contact lenses, frames, specialty lenses, and laser surgery. If you are planning to purchase a new policy or modify an existing one, it is important to compare your options and look into the different benefits offered by each plan.
The primary advantage of these supplemental policies is to provide affordable eye care for yourself and your family. Affordable eye care affects over 80% of the general population suffering from visual impairments.
How We Ranked The Best Eye Insurance Plans Of 2023
The best insurance vision plans are ranked in regards to coverage including yearly eye exams, correct vision wear, examinations for contact lenses, and eye surgery procedure such as LASIK surgery to permanently correct a vision impairment issue. Also, the best vision insurance plans usually offer flexible spending accounts which can be used as pre-tax dollars to assist in vision care expenses. As we move into the new year, it’s important to make sure that you have the right insurance plan in place. Eye insurance is no exception. With so many different plans and options out there, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. To help make your decision easier, here is a comprehensive guide to the top 5 eye insurance plans of 2023.
1. VSP Direct
VSP Direct offers affordable vision insurance coverage with zero deductibles and no waiting period. They offer a range of plans that can cover all or part of your eye exams, lenses, contact lenses and frames. Their Preferred Provider Network includes thousands of independent optometrists and ophthalmologists nationwide, so you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to finding an eye doctor near you. Plus, their online portal makes it easy to manage your policy and check on claims status anytime.
VSP Direct is offered by over 36,000 eye care providers. VSP Direct can be purchased through employee group plans or purchased individually. The standard coverage covers most eye care needs. Annual eye exams are offered and a choice of new contact lenses or prescription eyeglasses yearly. An allowance for LASIK surgery procedures is also included in the policy’s benefits.
2. EyeBenefits
Unlike traditional plans that are paid monthly, EyeBenefits premiums are paid yearly. There are no caps on the number of times coverage can be used during the year. Routine eye care is paid by a percentage of the cost of the service. Coverage can be purchased in increments of one to three years. EyeBenefits offers a 20% discount on eye examinations for eyewear and a 30% discount on contact eye examinations.
Discounts depend on the provider the member uses. Some LASIK providers discount can be as high as 50%. EyeBenefits offers a network of 12,000 locations such as Lenscrafters and VisionWorks. No discount is offered for any provider, not in EyeBenefits network of providers.
3. Vision Plan Of America
Vision Plan Of America offers some of the most reasonable rates in vision care insurance plans. Your network provider is extremely limited since the policyholder can only choose one eye care provider with their plan. However, the plans offer additional lenses options when purchasing eyeglasses and $190 incentive toward the purchase of progressive type lenses.
4. Humana Vision Plans
The Humana Vision Preferred Plus Plan provides comprehensive coverage while also keeping costs low by offering competitive premiums. It covers all basic services typically associated with eye care such as routine exams and frames/lenses as well as additional services such as contact lens fittings/supplies and discounts on laser vision correction procedures like LASIK or PRK. Humana’s network of providers offers additional discounts on eyewear when purchased through them directly.
Humana policy offers its benefits at a flat rate. Premium payments are offered at a monthly rate. Discounted prescription eyeglasses are offered through FramesDirect.com. Reasonable rates are offered for eye exams and yearly eye frame replacements are offered. Low rates for eye exams, yearly eye frame replacements, and affordable premiums and copays make Humana a formidable contender in the vision health policy business.
5. Aflac
Aflac offers a cash benefit for annual eye exams. All benefits are paid directly to the policyholder. Typically, Aflac will pay $45 for eye exams and $175 for new eyeglasses. What it lacks in coverage, it makes up for in affordability.
6. UnitedHealthcare Vision
The UnitedHealthcare Vision Standard Plan provides members with quality vision coverage while keeping costs low. It includes routine exams as well as basic frames and lenses coverage up to a certain dollar amount each year. The plan also includes discounts on additional items such as contact lenses, specialty lenses, tints and coatings, laser vision correction procedures like LASIK or PRK, sunglasses, etc., when purchased through UnitedHealthcare’s network of providers.
One of the best benefits of the United Health Care plan is no waiting periods and coverage is covered for all ages. Both network and out of network providers are covered. Typically eye exam copay is $10. Discounts are available for laser eye surgery.
7. Aetna Vision Preferred
The Aetna Vision Preferred Plan offers consumers a wide range of coverage options, including routine checkups and exams, frames and lenses, and contact lens fittings and supplies. This plan also covers discounts on laser vision correction procedures like LASIK or PRK. The plan also comes with an online discount program that gives members access to savings on eyewear at participating providers.
Aetna is offered through its vast network of independent agents. Aetna is the primary choice for eye health care coverage for federal employees. Benefits include retinal imaging discount, LASIK eye surgery discount, a 40% discount on the second pair of glasses. The plan also offers discounts elusive only to Aetna policyholders.
8. BlueCross
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Essential Vision Plan is designed to provide comprehensive coverage for eye care needs. It covers a variety of services including routine eye exams, frames and lenses, contact lenses, and discounts on laser vision correction procedures like LASIK or PRK. Members can also take advantage of discounts at participating retailers for glasses and contacts when purchased through their provider’s website.
Blue Cross eye healthcare plan is offered through EyeMed. Policyholders have access to over 18,000 providers. These providers include operettists, ophthalmologists, and opticians. The plan offers discounts up to 50% off eyewear and eye care procedures including LASIK surgery. Replacement contacts are offered by mail order service.
9. Davis Vision
Davis Vision provides comprehensive vision care benefits that include routine exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses as well as discounts on laser vision correction surgery and LASIK procedures if medically necessary. Their plans also cover a wide range of treatments such as glaucoma screenings, cataract surgery or cornea transplants. Plus they have a network of over 30,000 providers nationwide so you can always find an eye doctor nearby who accepts their insurance plan.
Transitions Signature lenses are offered with a very affordable co-pay of $65. Coverages are offered for annual eye exams, eyewear, eye health, and wellness management.
10. Ameritas
Ameritas is offered through individually to policyholders. Ameritas offers access to the VSP and EyeMed. Significant savings are offered for purchases made for frames and lenses from Walmart Vision Centers nationwide. The plan has no deductibles and pays $40 for an annual eye exam.
Conclusion
No matter what your budget may be or what type of coverage you are looking for in a vision insurance plan, there are plenty of options available in 2023 that will suit your needs perfectly! From comprehensive plans that cover everything from routine exams to laser vision correction treatments to more cost-effective plans that provide basic services at an affordable rate – the choice is yours! Take some time to compare the different plans available at FirstQuote Health so you can find the one that best fits your needs.