Health Insurance

Top 5 Vision Insurance Companies in 2021

Poor eyesight is a typical problem of those who use computers and smartphones too much.

According to the discoveries of the University of Toledo’s scientists, all handheld devices with screens emit blue light that is very dangerous for the vision as it damages the eyes’ retina at the cellular level. People pay a heavy price for the luxury of using modern gadgets and mobile devices – over 164 million Americans suffer from weak sight and need to wear spectacles while nearly 195 million adults apply for some sort of eyesight correction in the USA, if to believe the Vision Council report.

So, almost one in two Americans has somewhat compromised eyesight, and without insurance, a person has to pay the entire cost of eyewear and vision exams with their hard-earned dollars.

Given the fact that vision care and corrective devices are damn expensive in the country, most people simply cannot afford ophthalmic treatments, and in doing so, they just aggravate their eye condition.

Still, with a good insurance plan, your out-of-pocket expenses for ophthalmic services will be kept to minimal. We prepared a list of the most brilliant vision insurance companies of 2021 to help you choose the right dealer if you want to save on oculist visits and eye therapy devices.

Humana

Being in the insurance business since 1961, Humana today operates the largest network of hospitals in the USA and is a happy holder of the Superior A+ rating from the BBB, a highly authoritative reputation agency. The Kentucky-headquartered establishment, Humana sells insurance policies in nearly every state except Alaska, Montana, Vermont, and a few other regions.

Despite not being ubiquitously available, Humana is one of the largest healthcare underwriters in the nation and provides flexible insurance products to different categories of clients, including individuals, families, military personnel, and Medicare beneficiaries.

If you elect Humana to cover your vision care costs, your policy will require you to visit specialists and buy eyewear only with in-network providers. Surely, it will be possible to use out-of-the-network services, but in this case, your savings will not be so great. Fortunately, Humana has over 23 points of access in various locations so you will hardly face any difficulty finding a pharmacy or a specialist.

Humana insurance choices include My Option and Humana Vision PPO. Both schemes differ in the size of copayments and yearly allowance. The PPO plan also comes without a deductible.

Your insurance premiums will depend on your place of residence, plan add-ons, age, and gender. The calculator on Humana’s website will help you count your expected monthly charges. You also may need to pay a $35 enrollment fee, but this charge may be waived if you buy other insurance products with Humana, for example, dental coverage.

The operator also offers supplemental vision coverage to add to your main eyesight insurance to relish discounts on LASIK and PRK surgeries. When eye surgery is medically necessary (in the event of cataracts, for instance), Humana vision insurance may reimburse the procedure.

UnitedHealthCare

Another heavy-hitter in the insurance scene, UnitedHealthCare is the largest medical insurance carrier in the country serving over 100 million clients and included in Fortune 500 list as a well-doing corporation. Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, UHC offers health insurance products for literally everyone, including policies for individuals, families, businesses, as well as Medicare, and Medicaid beneficiaries.

UHC eye coverage is underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company, a brand belonging to UnitedHealth Group. Their insurance is meant to help you trim your expenses on eye examinations, prescription spectacles, and contact lenses.

All UHC vision insurance plans come with:

  • Coverage for enrollees of all ages
  • No waiting to use benefits
  • Savings through using in-network providers
  • Flexibility to visit out-area- specialists and facilities while still getting benefits (provided you agree to pay the difference between your plan’s allowance and the issued bill)

UHC offers two vision insurance plans: Plan A (covers only eyeglasses or contact lenses, monthly premium in 2021 is $11.40) and Plan B (cover both types of eyewear, monthly premium in 2021 is $15.70). Both plans will compensate for yearly eye exams, glasses, and lenses. Note that none of the plans will indemnify the replacement of broken or lost eyewear, eyesight therapy, surgery, or premium products (like extra thin lenses or anti-reflective lens coating).

As for credibility, AM Best grants Golden Rule Insurance Company (UHC’s underwriter) an “A” score, which is a very covetable rating.

VSP

An atypical carrier, VSP is, perhaps, the only non-profit provider of vision insurance in the USA, and, surely, it is amazing. The company was established in remote 1955 by a group of oculists who aspired to make eye care less expensive, and they indeed managed to do so. Focused on people, not capitalization, VSP continuously reinvests in its members and community and expands its network of doctors to make vision care immediately available.

VSP specialists are famed to offer a so-called eye-wellness exam, a procedure aimed to detect potential health problems like glaucoma or diabetes through comprehensive eyesight evaluation.

The dealer offers four vision insurance schemes: the Standard, Easy Options, Enhanced, and Eyewear Only 120, differing in benefits, payments, and conditions. Still, no matter which scheme you opt for, you are guaranteed to enjoy numerous perks with VSP, some of which are:

  • An abundance of providers. The company states that it has five VSP providers per six miles, ensuring that you can always find a specialist or an optical store in your neighborhood.
  • Year-round enrollment. You can enroll at any time of a year, without waiting the right time to get eyesight protection. Moreover, the policy is ready to work just the next business day.
  • Massive savings on lens enhancements. You can save up to 30% on lens improvements (like upgrading to high-index lenses or adding a scratch-resistant coating to your contacts) when you purchase within the VSP service area.
  • Discounts on hearing aids. You can economize up to 60% on your digital hearing aids if you buy vision coverage from VSP.
  • Satisfaction guarantee. The company assures to provide 100% satisfying eye care and eyewear experience; otherwise, all money is refunded.
  • Exclusive member extras. Loyal VSP customers can enjoy additional bounties like special offers on contacts, discounts on vision correction surgeries, diabetes care, and much more.

A.M. Best recognizes VSP (which can be decoded as Vision Service Plan) as A- (Excellent) for financial soundness. It is not the highest score in the industry, and still indicates the operator’s stable performance.

Davis Vision

Another big player with a long heritage, Davis Vision has been around since 1964, and its main office is based in Latham, New York. With over 100 thousand points of access, the company has a large network of eye care professionals and retailers, ensuring that policyholders can easily obtain vision corrective devices and eye exams in their locality. The 22-million client database is a testimonial of Davis Vision’s seriousness and commitment.

Plans are affordable (starting with $12.50 per month for an individual) and fully cover glasses, contacts, exams, plus discounts on LASIK. The company also offers its own Exclusive Collection: an assortment of posh, fashionable frames that Davis Vision customers can buy with a huge discount at nearly 9,000 locations.

The greatest allure behind this carrier is that it includes a free one-year breakage warranty for the plan-covered spectacles. If you accidentally break your glasses, simply return them to the provider for a replacement. Becoming a Davis Vision’s member also gives access to the company’s Hearing Healthcare Program, which allows you to save up to 40% for the branded hearing aids.

Ameritas

A carrier with a long-standing pedigree and reputation (the foundation dates back to 1959), Ameritas is within the league of the largest healthcare insurers in the country. With its chief office located in Nebraska, the firm operates as a subsidiary of Ameritas Life Insurance Corporation offering insurance products for dental, hearing, and vision needs.

Their benefits are ready to work without waiting periods and promise remarkable savings. A host of insurance plans gives you peace of mind that you will find a scheme that perfectly fits your situation and budget.

The company sells eyesight coverage for different categories of clients, including individuals, households, businesses, groups, institutions, and even municipalities. Once enrolled, you get coverage for glasses, prescription lenses, contact lenses, examinations, LASIK, plus hefty discounts on progressive lenses, too. Your policy will additionally give you a 15% discount on frames and lenses purchased at any Walmart Vision center.

The Better Business Bureau assigned Ameritas A+ rating for unfailing excellence in fulfilling customer claims.

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