Vision Insurance for Individuals

Vision insurance covers care and treatment for you and your family’s eyes. It is important to note, however, that most often a medical problem discovered by your eye doctor, such as a cyst or tumor in your eye, would fall under your health insurance, not your vision insurance. At the same time, you may find that vision insurance can help you and members of your family get a discount on glasses or contacts that you need anyway.

Many vision insurance plans are supported by employers, but if you’re looking for an individual vision plan, compare cost and benefits offered with each plan carefully.

Typical plans often cover annual eye exams, glasses, contacts, and glaucoma screening. Laser eye surgery is even covered with some vision plans as well. Be aware, however, that vision insurance can be extremely restricted. Some policies just pay for the annual exam or treatment of eye conditions, not glasses or contacts.

With some plans, you may have to pay the doctor yourself and submit a claim for the vision insurance company to reimburse you later. Other plans pay the eye care provider directly.¹