Although an estimated 76% of American adults require vision correction, even those with perfect vision can benefit from routine eye exams for their health.

Health conditions like diabetes or glaucoma can be found through eye exams. In addition, the modern world and prolonged use of digital screens can lead to eye problems.

What is Vision Insurance?

Regular eye exams, prescription glasses, and contacts are among the costs of eye care that vision insurance can help with. Additionally, some plans might provide discounts for corrective procedures like LASIK.

Vision care isn’t generally covered by major medical plans, which is why separate vision insurance can play a key role in your health.

How Does Vision Insurance Work?

Typically, you can purchase vision insurance from an insurance provider directly or through your employer. A vision insurance provider might offer coverage, or it might come with health insurance benefits.

You may pay a premium to have vision insurance, and a plan may cover the cost of eyeglasses, contacts, routine eye exams and other services related to the overall health of your eyes. Compared to health insurance premiums, these are frequently much cheaper.

Vision coverage comes in two main flavors. Vision discount plans and health-like vision insurance are both available. Here’s how they differ.

How Much Could You Save With Vision Insurance?

Generally, the only eye care covered by regular health insurance is due to illness, injury, or other major medical problem that involves the eyes. Health insurance does not pay for eye exams, glasses, or other associated costs. Without vision insurance, you are responsible for paying the full price for eye exams and any initial or replacement eyeglass lenses, frames, or contacts.

In general, insurance companies provide two different kinds of vision insurance: benefit packages, which limit the amount of services and products you can access, and discount plans, which simply offer you a predetermined discount, like 20% on qualified services.

Depending on how many brand-new goods and services you buy each year, your vision plan will save you a certain amount of money. For example, according to Vision Service Plan, the national average cost for the following products and services are as follows: $206 for an eye exam, $114 for a single lens, and $242 for frames, amounting to $562.2

A $5 monthly basic discount plan that offers a 30% discount on all goods and services would save you about $108 over time. Obviously, plans and costs differ, but you can anticipate saving $100 to $200.

What Does Vision Insurance Cover?

Preventive eye care, specifically eye exams, and prescription eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, are included in the majority of vision insurance plans’ basic vision benefits.

For specialty options like anti-glare or anti-scratch coatings, progressive lenses, or transition lenses, higher-end plans may also offer coverage or discounts. Some policies may offer discounts on elective vision correction surgery, such as LASIK.

What Does Vision Insurance Not Cover?

Not all expenses associated with eye care are covered by vision insurance plans. Products and services that aren’t covered depend on the insurer and policy, but common exclusions include:

• More than one eye exam per year
• Non-prescription glasses and contacts
• Cost of frames and lenses beyond the allowance
• Major medical treatments or surgery (these may be covered by health insurance instead)
• Miscellaneous fees charged by the optometrist

Vision Care Via Employee Benefits

Employee benefits (health insurance obtained through an employer) frequently cover the costs of vision care, but this is not always the case. Frequently, vision insurance has a 2-year benefit period, meaning that it needs to be renewed every two years. You should be aware that many times 100% of eye exams, glasses, contacts, and frames are covered. Furthermore, every two years, optometrist exams can cost up to $50. Additionally, there is a $100 to $400 per every two-year cap on the coverage for eyeglasses, contact lenses, and frames. Additionally, some group insurance plans might pay a portion of the cost of laser eye surgery.

Is Vision Insurance Worth It?

Each person’s situation will determine whether or not it is wise to purchase vision insurance. If you’re trying to decide if vision insurance is worthwhile for you, think about how frequently you visit the eye doctor and whether or not your prescriptions change frequently.

The average eye exam without insurance can cost upward of $150, with the average pair of glasses with lenses in the $200 to $300 range.5

Your total annual out-of-pocket expenses would be $400 if your average annual costs were one exam at $150 and a mid-range pair of glasses at $250. You could save $220 if you purchased coverage for $15 per month for a full year that included coverage for an annual eye exam and a pair of glasses.

Vision insurance might not be worthwhile for you if all is well with your vision and all you need is a checkup every few years.

Frequently Asked Questions