Best vision insurance companies of August 2024 (2024)

Humana is the best vision insurance company of 2024. The Humana Vision Plus plan has low copays and high allowances for frames and contact lenses at a competitive price. UnitedHealthcare and Anthem also get 5 stars in our rating of the best vision insurance companies.

Best vision insurance companies of 2024

• Humana: Best vision insurance.
• UnitedHealthcare: Best budget vision insurance.
• Anthem: Best vision insurance for bifocals and trifocals.
• EyeMed: Best vision insurance for additional discounts.
• VSP: Best vision insurance for glasses.

Top-rated vision insurance of 2024

Compare the best vision insurance plans

^{Vision insurance rates are based on a 30-year-old shopping for vision insurance in California. Your rates may differ.}

How much does vision insurance cost?

Vision insurance can cost as low as $5 per month. The cost may vary based on where you live, your age and the insurance company and plan you choose.

The average vision care coverage premium is between $5 and $30 monthly. The price increases for plans with more comprehensive coverage options.

Family vision insurance plans cost more than individual policies, but the more family members your benefit plan covers, the more cost-effective it can be.

How to save on vision insurance

Although vision insurance is less expensive than even the most affordable health insurance plans, there are still ways to save:

• Only buy a plan if the benefits outweigh the cost. If you have good vision, you probably don’t need the expense of vision insurance coverage. But vision policies are usually worth the cost if you have vision problems and wear glasses or contact lenses.
• Compare vision insurance policies. Like other types of insurance, comparing plan options and out-of-pocket costs like copays and allowances can help you determine which plan best fits your individual needs.
• Stay in-network to reap maximum benefits. Most vision insurance plans have a network of eye care providers that offer yearly eye exams at the lowest price, sometimes at no cost. But if you go out of network, you’ll pay higher copays, may not have an allowance and could even be denied coverage.
• Use an HSA or FSA to pay for care, products and services. A health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) allows you to use pre-tax dollars for eligible healthcare expenses. If you’re eligible for either an HSA or FSA, you can use the money to pay for things like eyeglasses, contacts, eye exams, cataract surgery and LASIK surgery — whether your vision plan covers it or not.

What to look for in a vision insurance plan

Consider the following factors when searching for a vision insurance plan to meet your specific needs.

• Low monthly premiums. Look for a low-cost vision insurance plan that has the coverage you need, such as a high allowance for frames or contacts. If you need bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses, focus on vision insurance companies that offer lower copays for these types of lenses.
• Annual eye exam coverage. Routine eye exams are essential for eye health. According to the CDC, an eye exam can reveal common eye conditions that can cause vision loss or blindness, including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Look for an eye insurance plan with low-cost annual eye exams or one with a $0 copay if you go in-network.
• Glasses and contact lenses allowance. Eyeglasses and contacts can be expensive, so finding a good vision insurance policy with a generous allowance makes the plan cost worth it. Policy benefits vary, but most policies offer a fixed allowance, usually between $100 and $250 per year, for either contacts or glasses. If you expect to pay more, look for a plan offering a discount for the remaining balance.
• Ease of access and customer service. Check vision insurance reviews online to get a good idea of which vision insurance company will meet your needs during enrollment and after signing up.
• Network coverage. Choose a vision insurance plan with a vast coverage network and a long list of eye doctors to ensure coverage even while traveling.

Editors expert take:

“Vision insurance companies typically consider laser vision correction surgery, or LASIK, an elective procedure and won’t cover it. If you’re interested in LASIK, I recommend checking out insurers that offer discounts on these surgeries. Some of our top-scoring companies, like Humana, EyeMed and VSP, offer plans with discounts on laser eye treatments at select practices.”

Kara McGinley, Deputy Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

How to buy vision insurance

There are multiple ways you can buy vision insurance:

• As part of a health insurance plan.
• Combined with a dental insurance plan.
• As a stand-alone vision plan.

Your employer may offer vision insurance combined with health or dental insurance, or as a stand-alone policy. This is usually the most affordable option, but the available plan might not offer the best vision insurance for your needs.

All plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace include vision coverage for children, but only some include vision coverage for adults. The Marketplace does not offer stand-alone vision insurance plans.

You can purchase vision insurance directly through an insurance company or by contacting a vision insurance agent or broker.

What does vision insurance cover?

Although vision plans can vary by insurance company and plan type, in general, vision insurance covers the following products and services:

• Annual eye exam.
• Annual allowance for eyeglass frames and single-vision corrective lenses.
• Annual contact lens allowance, though you typically have to choose between the glasses and contacts allowance — you can’t use both.
• Lens enhancements, such as anti-glare, blue light coatings, UV protection and scratch-resistant coatings.
• Bifocals, trifocals and progressive lenses.
• Discount programs for contact lenses and glasses purchases that exceed the plan allowance.

What does vision insurance not cover?

Typical vision insurance exclusions include:

• Eye exams required by an employer as a condition of employment.
• LASIK surgery and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), though you may get a discount on corrective laser eye surgeries through your vision insurance plan.
• Medical or surgical treatment of the eyes.
• Non-prescription items.
• Optional lens extras.
• Oversize lenses.

Does the ACA cover vision care?

The Affordable Care Act doesn’t require vision care coverage for adults but does require coverage for pediatric vision. Here is what’s covered by the ACA for children under the age of 19:

• Eye exams.
• Vision screening.
• Glasses to correct vision issues.

Note that HealthCare.gov does not offer stand-alone vision plans, but several fully state-run exchanges have partnerships with providers through which visitors can purchase stand-alone coverage directly from the provider (VSP, in most cases: California, Colorado, DC, Idaho, Kentucky and Nevada).

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