The best vision insurance companies provide plans, simple enrollment, competitive prices, and boast high financial strength ratings for reliability.
However, health insurance often excludes vision coverage. Yet, acknowledging the vital role of eye health in overall well-being is important.
Vision insurance is a separate entity that encompasses various advantages, including preventive eye exams, consultations with ophthalmologists, prescription eyewear, and contact lenses. Additionally, it may offer discounts on elective vision correction surgeries.
What is Vision Insurance?
Vision insurance is a type of insurance coverage that is designed to help reduce the costs associated with eye care and eyewear.
It covers services such as eye exams, prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, and, in some cases, vision correction surgery. Vision insurance plans may also include discounts on various vision-related expenses.
These plans can be obtained as standalone policies or as part of a comprehensive health insurance package.
Having vision insurance can make it more affordable for individuals and families to maintain their eye health and address vision-related needs.
However, it is important to review the specific coverage details and limitations of a vision insurance plan to understand what services and expenses are included.
Best Vision Insurance Companies Of 2024
Vision insurance is often more cost-effective than other types of insurance. Several insurance companies offer vision insurance, and some of them include:
Anthem
One of the best and most reputable insurance companies you could use for your vision is Anthem. Anthem’s Blue View Vision Enhanced plan is widely accepted by over 40,000 providers nationwide. For individuals needing bifocals or trifocals, Anthem offers a low copay of only $10.
Additionally, the plan includes a yearly $150 frame allowance, making eyeglasses more affordable. Anthem’s Blue is regarded as the best overall option, catering to bifocal and trifocal needs.
VSP Vision Care
Another reputable insurance company offering comprehensive coverage is VSP. With multiple plans, flexible coverage, and cost options, VSP stands out as the largest vision insurance provider for most individuals. VSP offers four plan types: Standard, EasyOptions, Enhanced, and EyewearOnly120.
The Standard plan starts at $13 monthly premiums with a $15 eye exam copay and provides up to a $150 allowance for frames or contacts. Although LASIK is not covered, VSP offers a coupon for an average discount of $1,000 on services.
It’s important to be aware of a drawback for those currently on Medicaid, as VSP benefits cannot be combined with it. This means that if you use VSP’s $150 credit for frames and still have $50 remaining, you cannot apply Medicaid credits to cover the balance, requiring an out-of-pocket payment.
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare stands out as a top choice for individuals considering LASIK surgery. The extensive coverage and benefits offered by UnitedHealthcare make it an excellent option for those seeking vision insurance that includes LASIK surgery.
Under this plan, you’ll only have a $10 copay for both your eye exam and glasses. If you prefer contacts, there’s no copay involved. The plan also provides a generous $150 allowance for either contacts or frames.
However, if you decide to buy frames outside of UnitedHealthcare’s extensive 120,000 access point network, the frame allowance is reduced to $75.
EyeMed
EyeMed stands out as the top vision insurance company thanks to its diverse plan options, featuring benefits like frame allowances and no waiting periods.
With three tiers of insurance, where the premium amount correlates with larger discounts on frames and lenses, EyeMed offers the best overall value.
Each plan covers the essential eye exam, provides significant discounts on glasses and contacts, and boasts a no-waiting-period policy. Starting at $5 per month, the basic EyeMed Healthy plan offers discounts on glasses and contacts through coupons.
Additionally, its premium plans, Bold and Bright ($17.50 to $30 monthly), offer upgraded benefits, including frame and lens allowances, copay for lens enhancements, and discounts on LASIK, frames, and additional glasses.
Humana
Humana stands out as the best vision insurance for contact lens wearers. Their vision plan provides contact wearers with cost-effective premiums and a substantial $150 allowance for contacts.
For those using conventional, non-disposable contact lenses, there’s an additional benefit of a 15% discount on the remaining balance. However, this makes Humana an attractive choice for individuals seeking comprehensive and affordable coverage for contact lenses.
DavisVision
Davis Vision adopts a wellness approach, including eye health in a broader context, addressing services like hearing aids and diabetic programs not always covered by standard medical insurance. The company offers three distinct plans: Essential, Classic, and Premier.
The Essential plan, at $12.50/month, offers $15 eye exams, full lens coverage, and a frame allowance of up to $125. The Classic plan, at $20.62/month, provides a $150 frame allowance. The Premier plan, priced at $22.50 monthly, provides a more extensive $200 frame allowance.
Beyond eye care, Davis Vision’s coverage extends to discounts on LASIK and other health-related services. Additionally, it provides hearing aid discounts, the Fit Fwd wellness program, and a dedicated diabetic outreach program, addressing gaps in traditional health insurance.
Direct Vision Insurance
Direct is another reputable insurance company that provides vision insurance coverage. Offering two plans for coverage, Direct allows enrollees to customize their choices based on preferred providers and desired services as patients.
Direct vision plans start at an affordable $7 per month and expand to comprehensive options, including procedures like corrective surgery.
With over 78,000 care providers covered in-network, Direct Vision ensures a broad network for individuals seeking diverse and accessible healthcare options.
Aetna
Aetna stands as one of the nation’s largest insurers, commanding over five percent of the market share in the health insurance segment. The application process for Aetna’s vision insurance is conveniently managed through the company’s web portal.
The digital platform enables members to find specialists within a 100-mile radius, get cost estimates, and access precise coverage details. Aetna’s vision coverage options are available either as part of existing health plans or through employer-sponsored plans.
Lastly, its vision coverage is available through VSP, highlighting a collaborative approach for comprehensive vision insurance, even if purchased directly.
Aflac
Aflac, known as one of the largest insurance companies in the country, has earned widespread recognition through its ubiquitous advertising. In addition to dental and life insurance policies, Aflac extends its coverage to include vision insurance and a variety of niche products.
Notably, Aflac’s vision products are exclusively accessible through employer plans, utilizing a worksite payroll deduction basis for enrollment.
Cigna
Cigna operates as an insurer, underwriting insurance coverage through its subsidiaries across licensed regions, rather than acting as a reseller.
Similar to many other vision insurance providers, Cigna primarily distributes its coverage products through employers.
Employees covered by workplace plans can choose from two options, selecting the one that best aligns with their current vision care needs.
Conclusion
The above are some of the best insurance companies you could insure your vision with. So, you can compare their coverage and choose that which suits your needs and budget.
