Your eyes are an important part of your overall health. Here’s what you may want to know about this insurance and why it could be a good idea to get it.

1. What is vision insurance?
2. How does vision insurance work?
3. What does vision insurance cover?
4. What doesn’t vision insurance cover?
5. How much does vision insurance cost?
6. Can you buy vision insurance without health insurance?
7. Do you need vision insurance with an Affordable Care Act plan?
8. Can vision insurance be paired with other types of insurance?
9. How can I get vision insurance?
10. Is vision insurance worth it?

The last time you went to the eye doctor, you told them that you had trouble seeing your favorite band at a recent show. So you scheduled an appointment and got your eyes checked.

It turned out you had nearsightedness (myopia). That’s an eye condition that makes objects appear blurry at a distance.

Thankfully, you had vision insurance. So you were able to be fitted for glasses — which you traded in for contact lenses the following year. And you no longer have a problem seeing your favorite band.

For people who don’t have vision insurance, it’s an important type to consider getting. That trip to the eye doctor and glasses/contacts fitting would’ve been a lot more expensive without coverage in the above scenario.

Below, learn what vision insurance is, what it covers and how you might get it.

Typically, routine eye exams are covered by a supplemental vision insurance plan. Explore vision insurance now.

What is vision insurance?

Vision insurance is a type of supplemental insurance that helps you manage the costs associated with vision care. (There is a monthly premium for supplemental insurance that is not included in what you’d pay for your primary health insurance.)

That could include services like:

• Glasses or contact lenses, typically, though some vision insurance covers both
• Routine eye exams and vision tests

Vision insurance is designed to cover expenses related to the correction of vision issues. Whether you get your traditional health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace or an employer, you have some options for vision insurance:

• You can buy a stand-alone vision plan to supplement your health plan. You might get that type of vision insurance through a private insurance company.
• If you have a family and get an Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plan, vision benefits are considered an “essential” benefit for children 18 and under. That means they’re covered for vision screenings, eye exams and glasses/contact lenses.
• But vision benefits aren’t typically considered essential for people 19 and older, so ACA health insurance plans aren’t required to provide vision coverage for them.
• You can pair vision insurance with other types of supplemental plans, like dental insurance. These plans can be bought in addition to regular health insurance, because health insurance plans often don’t cover routine vision or dental expenses.
• Vision insurance plans may also offer discounts on corrective eye procedures like LASIK, although neither vision nor traditional health insurance plans typically fully cover procedures like those. (LASIK, which stands for “laser assisted in situ keratomileusis,” is a type of laser eye surgery that may correct your vision to the point where you don’t need to wear glasses or contacts anymore.)

How does vision insurance work?

If you’re shopping for vision insurance plans, you’ll probably see the following terms come up a lot:

• Premium. That’s the amount you pay on a monthly basis for vision insurance. Think of it like your monthly vision insurance bill. It’s in addition to the bill you’re paying monthly for traditional health insurance benefits.
• Deductible. That’s the amount you’ll have to pay out of pocket before your vision insurance starts to pay for covered services. It’ll usually be a dollar amount that you have to reach each plan year, like $1,500.
• Copayments and coinsurance. Copayments, or copays for short, are fixed payments you’ll pay for covered services. So maybe they’ll ask you to pay $25 when you check in at the front desk at your eye doctor’s office. That’s your copay.

Coinsurance is a percentage of a covered service that you might have to pay. So maybe you get a certain procedure at your eye doctor’s office. You might pay 20% while your vision insurance would pay 80%.

• In-network vs. out-of-network coverage. If you see an in-network eye doctor, that means that they’ve contracted with your insurance company to provide care at a predetermined rate. If you see an out-of-network provider, that’s not the case. And you might have to pay more out of pocket for their services.
• Annual limit. Plans differ in terms of in-network and out-of-network care. But an annual limit is the most your insurer will pay for covered vision services during your plan year. If you meet that dollar amount, you’ll have to pay the rest out of pocket.

What does vision insurance cover?

Vision insurance typically covers services like preventive care. That could include things like:

• Routine eye exams and vision tests
• Routine services such as updating prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses

It’s worth noting that a glasses prescription can’t be used to get contact lenses. That’s because contacts sit on top of your eye. So you may have to see your eye doctor for a follow-up visit to get contact lenses.

Many plans may also offer discounts on elective vision correction surgery like LASIK. But it’s important to check with an eye doctor (and the plan) before scheduling a major procedure like that. It can come with certain risks — and potentially be a big expense.

It’s also worth repeating that if you have kids and a Marketplace health insurance plan, vision coverage is an essential benefit for children 18 and under. Adults 19 and older who want their own vision coverage may opt to buy a stand-alone plan.

What doesn’t vision insurance cover?

Generally, vision insurance doesn’t cover all medical issues related to the eyes. Let’s say you have glaucoma (a group of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve and may lead to vision loss) or cataracts (cloudiness in the eye’s lens that may lead to vision loss). If your eye doctor recommended treatment or surgery for either, it may be covered by your traditional health insurance plan, not your vision insurance. It’s always important to read a plan’s brochure, talk to your provider or call an insurer to make sure.

You’ll also want to know that with a Marketplace health insurance plan, while vision coverage is available to kids 18 and under, it’s not considered essential for adults 19 and older. So you’ll need vision insurance to be covered for things like preventive care and glasses/contacts.

How much does vision insurance cost?

The cost of vision insurance varies depending on the plan. It’ll also be different based on:

• The type of coverage you get
• The insurance provider
• Whether you get an individual plan or one through an employer

Worried that vision insurance is going to be a major expense? Premiums typically tend to be budget friendly. Explore your vision insurance options now.

Can you buy vision insurance without health insurance?

The simple answer is yes. You can buy vision insurance as a stand-alone plan without having to buy a comprehensive health insurance plan.

But it’s important to get a comprehensive health plan as well. Your eye health is important — but so is the rest of your body’s well-being.

Do you need vision insurance with an Affordable Care Act plan?

As we noted above, because vision benefits have been deemed essential for kids 18 and under, they’ll be covered either way. If you’re 19 or older, though, ACA health insurance plans aren’t required to offer vision benefits. So it may be a good idea to get a stand-alone vision plan.

Can vision insurance be paired with other types of insurance?

Yes. Many insurance providers offer the option to combine vision insurance with other types of supplemental coverage like dental and vision insurance paired together. Some of the benefits of pairing plans could include:

• Getting dental and vision plans that have no maximum age limit for adults, which could be appropriate if you’re on Medicare or your employer doesn’t offer dental and vision plans for you or your family.
• Receiving preventive care via a dental plan and eye exams via a vision plan, with no waiting periods or deductibles.

How can I get vision insurance?

You have several options for getting vision insurance. Here are some of the most common:

• You may be able to get vision insurance through your employer. Talk to your human resources representative (or the equivalent) to see if plans are offered. You’ll likely have a chance to sign up during your company’s enrollment period, which may happen at different times during the year.
• If you have a Marketplace health insurance plan, you can buy vision coverage through a private insurance company.

Is vision insurance worth it?

Yes. Even if you’re young and healthy, it’s still important to see an eye doctor regularly. They can find eye issues that may not have symptoms in their early stages. That could save you time going to follow-ups and money on possible procedures in the future.

Plus, if you already wear glasses and/or contact lenses, you can save on those, too. Many vision plans offer contacts or glasses benefits — and some offer them for both. And if you’re interested in getting rid of your glasses or contacts for good, vision plans may also offer discounts on corrective eye surgeries, like LASIK.

Does your health insurance not include vision benefits? A stand-alone vision plan could be an option. Explore one today, or call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.

For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.

Sources:

MedlinePlus. “LASIK eye surgery.” January 29, 2024. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007018.htm

Cleveland Clinic. “Contacts vs. Glasses: Which Is Best for You?” August 1, 2024. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/contacts-vs-glasses

National Eye Institute “Nearsightedness (Myopia)” December 4, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/nearsightedness-myopia

Compliance code:
51924-X-0225