Your vision plan should cover an annual comprehensive eye exam, frames or contacts, and lens enhancements. Other things to consider are how often you want new glasses and your overall frame allowance. Some plans may highlight low rates, but provide an overall low frame allowance, or don’t provide a lot of savings on lens enhancements (where costs can really add up). Plus, you’ll want to make sure the doctor network includes convenient locations. Read the plan details to ensure you’re getting the right plan for your needs.

Using an Individual Vision Plan is easy. First, pick the plan that’s right for you and the payment option that best fits your needs. Then, visit an eye doctor, (going in-network will help you get the most from your benefits) to receive a comprehensive eye exam. If corrective vision is needed, your eye doctor can help pick glasses or contacts to best fit your style. You pay your copay at the doctor’s office along with any options outside of your plan coverage, and the doctor will take care of processing your benefit claims.

Our vision plans provide savings on many lens enhancements:

• Scratch-resistant coating – A clear coating that is less likely to scratch than uncoated lenses.
• Anti-glare (anti-reflective) coating – A coating that increases a lens’s light transmission. It also reduces the amount of light reflected from the lens surface and eliminates ghost images.
• Impact-resistant lenses – Lenses built from polycarbonate material, which is up to 10 times stronger than glass or plastic lenses.
• Progressive (no-line multifocal) lenses – Progressive lenses are line-free, and their prescription strength gradually changes from distance to intermediate to near vision.
• Light-to-dark (photochromic adaptive) lenses – Light-sensitive lenses that darken when exposed to sunlight and lighten when sun exposure is reduced.
• UV protection – A lens treatment that absorbs the harmful portion of UV light found in sunlight.
• High-index lenses – These thinner, lighter lenses are designed to improve comfort and attractiveness for those with high prescriptions.

No, but you’ll get the most from your benefits when you stay in-network. VSP has the largest independent doctor network in the country so you’re sure to find a practice close by.

A VSP Individual Vision Plan is similar to employer-based plans, especially those provided by VSP. Your individual plan will give you access to quality care and will cover an eye exam and glasses or contact, for a small copay, and will provide savings on lens enhancements.

Here are some things to look for with vision insurance:

• Annual Benefits
  It’s important to make sure your vision plan covers yearly benefits. For example, some plans provide an eye exam and glasses every two years, while other plans offer an exam every year but frames every two years. It may not be noticeable, so if you see an unusually low price, check carefully. VSP makes annual benefits very clear so you know what you’re getting.
• Doctor Network
  VSP has the largest network of independent doctors in the nation. Other providers may promote large numbers by highlighting access points rather than locations. A single location with eight doctors could be eight access points. When possible, search for a provider before enrolling in a plan to make sure one is close to you.
• Frame Allowance
  With VSP, your frame allowance can be used toward any frame carried by your VSP network doctor. Your vision coverage should include a generous allowance for frames. Some plans may offer a higher allowance for their frame brands, and less coverage for frames outside of these brands. So, you’ll have more options when selecting your perfect pair.
• Enrollment Fees
  Beware of any hidden fees when looking for vision coverage. Many plans may offer a lower monthly fee but will charge a high enrollment fee when signing up—making the overall plan costs more than you bargained for. VSP Individual Vision Plans have no enrollment fees and you can pick your billing date.
• Start Date
  You can start using your benefits as soon as the next business day when you enroll in a VSP Individual Vision Plan. Other plans may make you wait 30 days after enrolling to start using your benefits.
• Lens Enhancements
  If you wear progressive lenses, make sure you’re covered. While some plans may show “standard progressives” as covered, that may not be the type your eye doctor prescribes. There are several types of progressives to chose from and VSP plans will give you savings regardless the type.