Do I need vision insurance?
You probably have car insurance, health insurance, and maybe even pet insurance. So, if your furry four-legged best friend is covered, perhaps you should be fully covered, too.
Vision insurance is optional, but it has some benefits. Vision insurance covers contacts, glasses, and eye exams and greatly benefits individuals with eye conditions or expensive vision-related bills.
Luckily, vision insurance can cost less than a fancy Starbucks latte. The average cost of vision insurance ranges between $5 and $30 monthly per person, depending on several factors. Check with your provider for the most accurate current plan costs.
1-800 Contacts accepts vision insurance and can automatically apply your benefits to our in-network providers, such as Anthem, Spectra, UnitedHealthcare, and more. For out-of-network providers, simply fill out a reimbursement form.
If you have high vision expenses, vision insurance can help make your costs more manageable. Some people who opt for vision insurance have astigmatism or other eye conditions that make their prescription continually change. Someone who wears daily contacts may also need it.
Still trying to decide whether vision insurance is right for you? We'll help you get a 20/20 vision level of clarity on this topic. Keep reading to learn about vision insurance, including the approximate costs, pros and cons, and more.
What is vision insurance?
Vision insurance covers expenses related to your eyes and eye care. A typical vision insurance plan in the United States covers routine eye care expenses, such as vision exams, contact lenses, glasses, and contact lens fittings. Some plans can partially cover other expenses, such as LASIK or other corrective eye surgeries. However, this added coverage usually comes with premium plans.
You can often add vision insurance as an add-on to medical insurance packages or purchase it separately.
Usually, vision insurance doesn't cover vision problems, such as vision loss, eye diseases, dry eyes, and vision complications from diabetes. Don't worry — some of these issues are considered medical and covered by your medical insurance instead.
Vision insurance advantages
Some of the pros of having vision insurance include:
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Reduce vision expenses: Vision insurance can help you save money if your vision-related expenses are high.
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LASIK surgery: If you plan on getting elective LASIK surgery within the year, your vision insurance may partially cover it.
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Easy add-on: Vision insurance can be a simple add-on to your existing medical insurance plan.
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Affordable: Most often, vision insurance is so affordable it doesn't even make a dent in your budget.
What are the disadvantages of having vision insurance?
While having more coverage for your health is never a disadvantage, vision insurance costs money, and some people are much less likely to come out in the financial positive if they sign up for vision insurance.
Here are some of the "cons" with vision insurance:
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More cost than benefit: If you don't have vision problems or wear contacts or glasses, vision insurance might not make the most sense. You probably go for a vision exam annually and don't have to do much more for your eyes beyond that. If that's the case, your monthly insurance coverage might be more than your average annual vision-related expenses. So, signing up for vision insurance might only lead to a lecture on cost-benefit analysis from your financial advisor.
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Provider limitations: Your usual supplier of contacts or glasses doesn't accept vision insurance. (Although, what kind of behind-the-times contacts provider doesn't accept vision insurance? Take this as a sign to try 1-800 Contacts, where we work with over a dozen in-network insurance providers.)
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Lens limitations: Some vision insurance plans cover only some brands or types of contacts.
How much does vision insurance cost?
On average, vision insurance costs between $5 and $30 a month or $60 to $360 annually. Drop one Uber Eats order a month, and you can afford your vision insurance.
Your provider determines your personal plan cost based on several factors, such as:
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Coverage type: The more comprehensive coverage your plan has, the more expensive it typically is.
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Age: Older individuals often have to pay higher premiums.
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Location: Where you live can impact the cost of your insurance. Insurance is often higher in high-cost cities such as New York or San Francisco.
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Deductible: The deductible you choose often directly impacts your monthly insurance rate.
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Enrollment fee: Some providers charge a one-time enrollment fee.
How much will vision insurance save you?
The average cost of contact lenses and glasses is $130, which your insurance may fully or partially cover a few times a year.
Vision insurance isn't exempt from the usual insurance provider tricks. Your insurance premiums can increase over time, especially as you age or if you develop an eye condition.
Can you use HSA/FSA funds with vision insurance?
When ordering from 1-800 Contacts, just use your HSA or FSA card at checkout. If you need help, call us at 1-800-266-8228.
Can I use vision insurance with rebates/promos?
Rebates and most discounts or promotions can’t be used with insurance, and your cart automatically removes any non-eligible discounts when you apply your insurance benefit.
Does insurance cover contacts?
Yes, vision insurance covers contacts. However, some providers or plans might have limitations on contact lens coverage, such as excluding specific brands. Additionally, plans may exclude certain types of contacts, such as daily disposables.
Vision insurance plans often have an allowance for contact lenses, such as $150 for the year.
Does Medicaid cover contact lenses?
You can sometimes get Medicaid coverage for contact lenses, but it depends on the following factors:
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Location: Some states don’t allow for Medicaid coverage for contact lenses.
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Whether it's medically necessary: Medicaid often only covers lenses when they’re medically necessary. For example, the individual needs to show that wearing glasses isn’t enough to help their vision. Medicaid may cover contact lenses after cataract surgery.
Do you need vision insurance?
Overall, vision insurance can be an affordable add-on for most. However, it's also not necessary for everyone. Take a look at what you spend on vision-related costs in a year. If it's not much, skipping vision insurance might be the better option.
If you have frequent prescription changes, wear daily contacts, have to regularly get eye exams, or have a LASIK surgery planned for the future, go ahead and get that insurance.
Worst case scenario? You sign up, test it out for a year, and at the end, compare your costs to see if it was worth it. It's not like you're signing up for a 10-year commitment; canceling after 1 year is a valid option.
And remember, you can use vision insurance at 1-800 Contacts. We have your favorite contact brands in stock and can automatically apply benefits from some of the major vision insurance providers.
Did you know you can order contacts online?
Say goodbye to trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You’ll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It’s never been easier to get your contacts!
Original published date: 4/26/2021
Updated: 1/13/2025