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Understanding vision insurance
Vision insurance helps to offset the costs of routine eye care and corrective eyewear. Much like health insurance, you'll typically pay a monthly premium and may also pay copays or deductibles for specific services.
By reducing out-of-pocket expenses, vision insurance makes maintaining your eye health and accessing corrective eyewear more affordable and convenient.
Cost savings
Vision insurance reduces out-of-pocket expenses for routine eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses.
For example, many plans provide allowances for frames every one to two years, and sometimes cover fitting fees for contact lenses.
Regular check-ups
Annual exams help you monitor your eye health and can detect early signs of eye conditions, like glaucoma or cataracts, or other health conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Discounts and upgrades
Many vision insurance plans provide discounts on premium eyewear options, such as anti-glare coatings, transition or polycarbonate lenses, and prescription sunglasses.
Some plans also offer savings on vision correction procedures like LASIK and coverage for treating eye conditions or injuries.
Costs of vision insurance
The cost of vision insurance typically includes:
- Monthly or annual premiums, which are regular payments to maintain coverage.
- Copays, or a small fee, for routine eye exams or other covered services.
- Partial out-of-pocket costs for eyewear expenses that exceed the plan's allowance for glasses or contact lenses.
How to get vision insurance
You can get vision insurance through an employer-provided benefits package or by purchasing a plan directly from an insurance provider like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC). Many insurance companies offer standalone vision plans or bundle them with other health insurance options.
Where to go for care
Knowing where to go when you have a health issue is vital to getting the care you need, when you need it. It can also save you time and money.
Coinsurance vs copay
What is coinsurance vs copay? Knowing the difference between them can impact your out-of-pocket medical care costs.
Insurance terms glossary
Our health insurance glossary can help expand your understanding of common and key health insurance terms.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.
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