Individual Vision Insurance for You and Your Family
Many adult health insurance plans don't automatically include routine vision benefits. If you're self-employed or don't have vision coverage through work, an individual vision plan can help with the cost of routine eye exams, glasses, contacts, and other covered vision services.
We can help you compare vision plans, check whether your eye doctor participates in the network, and understand the plan's exam benefits, frame or contact allowances, and other discounts.
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What Vision Insurance May Cover
Routine Eye Exams
Many vision plans provide benefits for routine eye exams, often once during a defined benefit period.
A copay or other member cost may apply depending on the plan.
Eyeglass Frames
Plans may provide an allowance toward eligible eyeglass frames, with additional costs if you choose frames above the allowance.
Prescription Lenses
Standard prescription lenses may be covered according to the plan's benefit schedule.
Upgraded lenses, coatings, progressive lenses, or other options may have additional costs.
Contact Lenses
Some plans provide an allowance toward contact lenses instead of eyeglass benefits during the same benefit period.
How Vision Insurance Works
Pay a Monthly Premium
You pay a monthly premium to keep your individual vision coverage active.
Use an In-Network Provider
Using an eye doctor or vision provider in the plan's network can help you receive the plan's preferred benefits and pricing.
Use Your Benefits
Your plan may help with covered exams, lenses, frames, contacts, and other eligible vision expenses.
Vision Insurance vs. Health Insurance for Your Eyes
This is an important distinction because vision insurance and health insurance generally cover different types of eye care.
Vision Insurance
Vision plans are generally designed around routine eye care, such as:
- Routine eye exams
- Prescription glasses
- Frames
- Contact lenses
- Certain eyewear discounts
Health Insurance
Medical health insurance may cover medically necessary evaluation or treatment of eye conditions, such as:
- Eye infections
- Eye injuries
- Glaucoma treatment
- Cataract treatment
- Other medically necessary eye care
Who May Want Individual Vision Insurance?
You Wear Glasses
If you regularly replace frames or prescription lenses, a vision plan may help make those expenses more predictable.
You Wear Contacts
Contact lens benefits or allowances may help reduce what you spend on eligible contacts during the benefit period.
You're Self-Employed
Individual vision coverage can replace a benefit that many people otherwise receive through an employer.
You Have a Family
Family vision plans may help with routine eye care for multiple family members, depending on the plan and eligibility.
What to Check Before Choosing a Vision Plan
- Eye exam benefit: Check how often routine exams are covered and what copay may apply.
- Frame allowance: See how much the plan contributes toward eligible frames.
- Lens benefits: Check standard lens coverage and costs for upgrades such as progressives, anti-reflective coatings, or specialty lenses.
- Contact lens allowance: Understand whether contacts are offered instead of eyeglass benefits during a benefit period.
- Provider network: Confirm that your preferred optometrist, ophthalmologist, or optical retailer participates.
- Benefit frequency: Frames, exams, lenses, and contacts may each have different replacement schedules.
- LASIK discounts: Some programs may offer discounts rather than full coverage for elective laser vision correction.
Pair Vision With Dental Coverage
Dental and vision coverage are often considered together because they cover routine care that may not be included in an adult medical health insurance plan.
We can help you compare both at the same time so you can see the combined monthly cost and benefits.
Common Questions About Vision Insurance
Can I buy vision insurance without an employer?
Yes. Individual vision plans may be available to self-employed workers, individuals, and families who don't receive vision benefits through an employer.
When can I sign up for vision insurance?
Many individual vision plans accept applications throughout the year, although effective dates, eligibility, and availability can vary.
Does vision insurance cover both glasses and contacts?
It depends on the plan.
Some plans provide benefits for glasses or contacts during the same benefit period rather than providing the full allowance for both.
We'll check the actual benefit schedule before you enroll.
Can I keep my eye doctor?
It depends on whether your provider participates in the vision plan's network and whether the plan provides out-of-network benefits.
Give us the doctor's name and location and we'll help you check.
Does vision insurance cover LASIK?
Many vision plans do not fully insure elective LASIK surgery, but some may include negotiated discounts through participating providers.
Benefits vary by plan, so we'll verify what is available.
Does health insurance cover routine eye exams?
Adult routine vision exams are not automatically included with every health insurance plan.
Medical eye conditions and medically necessary treatment may instead fall under your health insurance benefits.
Does vision insurance cover medical eye problems?
Vision plans are generally designed for routine eye care and eyewear. Treatment of eye disease, injury, or another medical condition may be handled through your medical health insurance instead.
Can I buy vision coverage for my whole family?
Family vision plans may be available depending on the product, carrier, and state.
We can help compare individual and family options.
Is vision insurance worth it?
It depends on how often you use routine eye care and eyewear benefits.
Compare the annual premium with the plan's exam copays, frame or contact allowance, provider discounts, and how often you normally replace glasses or contacts.
Need More Than Vision Coverage?
We can also help you compare dental, accident, critical illness, disability, and other supplemental coverage alongside your health insurance.
See Supplemental Coverage OptionsFind a Vision Plan That Fits
We'll help you compare vision plans, check your eye doctor's network, and understand exam benefits, glasses, contacts, discounts, and other plan details before you choose.
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