Nearly 75% of adults wear glasses or contact lenses, with lenses costing between $50 and $1,000. Vision insurance usually covers some of the costs of services (such as eye exams) and prescription glasses but rarely pays 100%. It’s best for those with recurring vision problems but may not be helpful if your monthly premiums exceed your eye wellness costs yearly. Plans can vary wildly – watch out for notable exclusions, like the ability to only use your benefits every 24 months or the inability to use out-of-network providers. To help you find the right vision plan for your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the best based on coverage, limits, price, and more.
Vision Service Plan: Best Overall
Founded in 1955 by a group of optometrists, Vision Service Plan (VSP) is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
And is one of the nation’s largest vision insurance providers. Offers the largest network of independent physicians, with 73,000 access points in nearly 23,000 locations. We chose this as the best overall plan because it provides a variety of tiered plans, competitive pricing, and has a large number of US locations.
Plan members have access to both in-network and out-of-network coverage, except those residing in Maryland, Massachusetts, and the state of Washington. Enrollment is open year-round, and you can use your benefits as early as the next business day.
Depending on your residence, there are different tiered plans, although VSP’s standard procedure is available nationwide. We’ve seen traditional methods as low as $11.20 per month – VSP claims its members see an average of $278 in annual savings. Benefits include a $150 allowance for contact lenses or frames ($170 if you choose certain brands), plus a 20% discount on your allowance amount.
You can add optional lens upgrades to all plans for additional fees (scratch-resistant, anti-glare, light to dark tint, etc.). However, some premium tiers offer more significant discounts (monthly costs also increase). For example, the EasyOptions level offers personalized benefits like a higher frame allowance. The enhanced level means you pay no additional out-of-pocket costs for impact or scratch-resistant lenses. Exam copays are $15 (not covered on the EyewearOnly120 plan if your state offers it), and base copays for eyeglasses are $25. VSP does not cover LASIK but does offer a service coupon to specific providers for a discount.
EyeMed – Finalist, Best Overall
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, EyeMed has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best and offers several network providers throughout the US, including LensCrafters®, Pearle Vision®, Target Optical®, and many more. Independent providers.
This vision insurance company is another contender, although we placed it as a finalist because it doesn’t offer a high margin for frames or contacts. There aren’t as many locations, with only 18,000 nationwide.
Individual plans are available in 48 states, and there are no waiting periods once you successfully enroll. EyeMed offers three levels: EyeMed Healthy, EyeMed Bold, and EyeMed Bright. EyeMed Healthy, the lowest tier of the insurer, offers plans starting at $5 a month and discounts on frames, contacts, LASIK, and other services with no copay for a comprehensive eye exam. The top two tiers offer a covered allowance for contacts and glasses of up to $130 and $200, respectively. In addition, you will have a $10 copay for comprehensive exams and a $20 copay for glasses. EyeMed Bold starts at $17.50, and EyeMed Bright begins at $30 monthly.
