Vision Insurance Plan: How To Choose Vision Insurance Plans

If you’re among the estimated 50% of Americans who wear contacts or prescription glasses, a vision insurance plan can help with costs. A good vision plan can help you pay for your eye exam, contacts and glasses. Some employers offer a benefits package or discount plan to their employees, but you can also find one and pay for it yourself. In the long run, it may be worth the cost.

What is an Eye Insurance Plan?

An eye insurance plan is not like regular health insurance. It is a wellness benefit that provides a discounted rate for vision services, such as eye exams, contact lenses, and glasses, or helps offset the costs of these services. You can get vision insurance in one of two different types:

• Vision benefits package
• vision discount plan

A vision benefits package is much like insurance coverage in that it covers vision services. Sometimes you may need to pay a copay at the time of service or purchase of your contact lenses or eyeglasses. Your benefits package pays the balance.

A discount vision plan is different from a vision benefit package in that you pay for full services, but it is at a lower discounted rate that has been agreed upon by the network provider. Through a discount plan, you are provided with a list of network providers who have agreed to charge the discounted prices under the plan. There are also often specific vision services that are included in the plan, so review prospective plans to make sure the one you choose meets your needs.

Benefits of a vision insurance plan

Eye insurance plans can be very beneficial, especially if you have vision problems. You can save money on vision services and even glasses and contacts. An eye insurance plan can offset the sometimes substantial costs of eye care. Glasses alone can cost more than $200, but with a vision plan you can cut that cost by 50% or more.

You can get individual plans or plans that cover the whole family. They can be particularly helpful in saving money if you cover your children, as they can sometimes wear multiple pairs of glasses in a year.

Choosing the Right Vision Plan

If you think a vision insurance company might offer you some benefits, it’s important to find the right plan for your needs. Carefully review the benefits offered, what is covered, how often you can get an eye exam, and how many pairs of glasses or contacts you can get within a year or six months.

You can search online for vision insurance plans or even find a site that allows you to compare different companies on their benefits. You’ll also want to make sure your vision plan is within your budget. It doesn’t do you any good and you won’t save much if you go bankrupt paying for the plan.