Best vision insurance companies of March 2024 (2024)

The best vision insurance companies of 2024 are Anthem and UnitedHealthcare, according to our analysis of rates and coverage options.

The best vision insurance of 2024

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

Best vision insurance companies

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 is vision insurance?

Vision insurance can cost as low as $5 per month for coverage. How much you’ll pay for vision insurance will depend on where you live, your age, the vision benefits you choose and the insurance company.

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

Family plans cost more than individual policies, though 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 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 exceeding the plan allowance.

What does vision insurance not cover?

LASIK surgeries and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) are elective surgeries not covered by vision insurance. However, you may get a discount on corrective laser eye surgeries through your vision insurance plan.

For example, UnitedHealthcare’s Plan A offers 20% to 35% off LASIK surgery at more than 900 QualSight locations. EyeMed vision care plans include a 15% discount on laser correction at U.S. Laser Network locations. You can also get 15% off the regular price or 5% discounted pricing at contracted facilities through VSP.

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

Vision insurance costs vary by plan type and coverage level. When researching vision plans, find one that meets your needs and budget. For instance, consider a higher allowance for frames or contacts if you wear them. If you need bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses, focus on vision insurance companies offering lower copays.

According to our research, UnitedHealthcare’s Plan A is the most affordable of the best vision insurance plans, averaging $11 per month. Humana Vision is also inexpensive, at $16 monthly.

Annual eye exam coverage

Routine eye exams are essential for eye health, whether you have vision problems or perfect vision. According to the CDC, an eye exam can reveal common eye conditions that can cause vision loss or blindness, including:

• Cataracts.
• Glaucoma.
• Diabetic retinopathy.
• Age-related macular degeneration.

The best eye insurance plan will offer low-cost annual vision exams. Anthem Blue View Vision Enhanced, UnitedHealthcare Plan A and EyeMed Bold each have a $10 eye exam copay.

Allowances for eyewear and contact lenses

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, with most vision insurance policies offering 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

For a vision plan to be worth the cost, you want it to be accessible, not just when enrolling but also when you need customer service or to file a claim. 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

Although you may not plan on moving, you never know what the future holds. Choosing a vision insurance plan with a vast coverage network in every state and a long list of eye doctors can help ensure coverage at your new home or while traveling.

Humana’s vision insurance policies are accepted at 95,000 locations. EyeMed’s network extends to over 70,000 locations and providers, while UnitedHealthcare has more than 120,000 access point locations.

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.

Best vision insurance FAQs