Benefit frequency
Plans set how often each benefit renews, commonly every 12 months for exams and lenses and every 12 or 24 months for frames.
All coverage
Coverage
Group Vision
Affordable vision coverage for eye exams, frames, lenses, and contacts.
Who it's for
Vision is a low-cost benefit that employees notice and use every year.
- Employers rounding out a health and dental package
- Teams that spend long hours on screens
- Businesses looking for an affordable employer-paid or voluntary add-on
What it covers
Typical coverage includes
- Routine eye exams with a small copay
- Eyeglass lenses, including common lens options
- An allowance toward frames
- An allowance toward contact lenses in place of glasses
- Discounts on LASIK and additional pairs at many providers
How it works
How group vision insurance works
Choose a plan
You choose a network, how often each benefit renews, and allowance levels for frames and contacts.
Employees enroll
Employees enroll with their medical and dental coverage, or on their own if the plan is voluntary.
Employees visit an eye doctor
In network, the employee pays a small copay for the exam and gets lenses and an allowance toward frames or contacts. They pay any amount over the allowance.
Out-of-network reimbursement
Employees who see an out-of-network provider pay up front and submit a claim. The plan reimburses them up to a set schedule.
Before you decide
Common considerations
Standalone or embedded
Some medical plans include limited vision benefits. Adult vision usually needs a separate plan; pediatric vision is already required in ACA small group medical plans.
Provider network
Check that the network includes the optometrists and retail locations your employees already use.
Allowance levels
Frame and contact allowances vary between plans. A modest increase in allowance often costs little in premium.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Doesn't medical insurance already cover eye care?
Medical plans cover eye disease and injuries. Routine exams, glasses, and contacts for adults usually require a separate vision plan, though pediatric vision is included in small group medical plans.
Can employees keep their current eye doctor?
If the doctor is in the plan's network, yes. Otherwise most plans still reimburse part of the cost out of network.
How often can employees get new glasses?
Commonly every 12 months for exams and lenses and every 12 or 24 months for frames, depending on the plan.
Is vision worth offering as a voluntary benefit?
For many employers, yes. It costs the business nothing in premium, and employees who wear glasses or contacts often save more than they pay.
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