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Our vision is critical to our overall health and well-being. However, routine eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses can be expensive without insurance coverage. Fortunately, vision insurance is among the most affordable types of insurance. Still, knowing what your policy covers and what can impact your premiums is important. This article will explain how vision insurance works, what it covers, and who should consider this type of insurance policy.
Vision insurance is supplemental health insurance that helps cover eye care expenses such as routine exams and prescription eyeglasses. In exchange, the policyholder pays monthly premiums to maintain vision coverage.1
There are two broad types of vision insurance coverage:1
Vision insurance can help cover or reduce many costs related to eye health. The types and amounts of costs covered will depend on the type of insurance plan you have.
Vision insurance is often quite affordable, costing an average of $5 to $30 per month.1 However, vision insurance premiums depend on several factors, such as the deductible you choose, your provider, your age, and where you live.
Vision insurance offers many benefits, including:
Vision insurance tends to have lower premiums compared to other forms of insurance. As mentioned, average premiums cost up to $30 per month.1
An eye exam from a large retail vision provider can cost up to $100.2 Eyeglasses can cost $200 or more yearly when uninsured.1 Contact lenses can cost $200 - $1,600 annually, depending on the type and how often they are disposed of.3
These costs can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars, whereas some of the most comprehensive vision insurance plans will only cost around $60 to $180 per year using the monthly figures mentioned earlier. Even with copays and deductibles, you may ultimately save on eye care with vision insurance.
Vision insurance can help you maintain good eye health for two reasons. First, it makes eye care more affordable. You can feel more comfortable getting the care you need without financial strain.
Second, you must pay your premiums every month or year regardless of whether you use your coverage. Therefore, having insurance can incentivize you to schedule your regular exams. As a result, you may maintain better eye health and can catch and address potential issues early.
Vision insurance can work well for anyone who doesn’t have perfect vision, including those who wear corrective lenses or have a history of eye-related conditions. It may assist in paying for procedures, such as LASIK, to restore vision. Older adults can also find vision insurance helpful since they may require more frequent eye exams or other forms of eye care.
Even individuals with perfect vision may benefit from vision insurance. Some eye conditions may only be noticeable to you once they are a significant issue. Annual eye exams can help catch these problems early on, and vision insurance can help cover the costs of treatment.
Vision insurance is one of the most affordable insurance policies available. Higher-end plans can cost less per year than one eye exam and a pair of eyeglasses.
Whether you have perfect vision or not, getting a vision insurance policy can help you catch issues early and reduce out-of-pocket costs for treatments to maintain excellent vision and good eye health. Speak to an Aflac agent today to explore your vision insurance options.
1 Forbes – Is Vision Insurance Worth It? Updated February 15, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/health-insurance/is-vision-insurance-worth-it/. Accessed September 27, 2024.
2 Vision Center – Eye Exam Costs. Updated September 24, 2024. https://www.visioncenter.org/resources/eye-exam-cost/. Accessed September 27, 2024.
3 WebEyeCare – How Much Do Contacts Cost? Everything You Need to Know! Updated July 2, 2024. https://webeyecare.com/blog/contacts-how-much-do-contacts-cost/. Accessed September 27, 2024.
Coverage underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Vision: In Delaware, Policy VSN100. In Idaho, Policy VSN100ID. In Oklahoma, Policy VSN100OKR. In Virginia, Policy VSN100VA.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to, DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
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