• 50% Lower Prices 50% Lower Prices
  • Easy Returns Easy Returns
  • Online since 1999 Online since 1999

How to get the most from your vision insurance when buying eyeglasses.

vision insurance

Vision insurance plans are a bad deal

network providers
Network providers sell at inflated prices
in network frames
In-network free frames are low quality
final cost icon
Final cost of eyeglasses is no bargain for the employee
ex icon
Benefits expire, but the premiums don't
plans are complicated
Plans are extremely complicated
poor value and complicated
Poor value + complicated = Unnecessary add-on
co icon
Just because your company offers it, does not mean it is a good idea for you
what to do?

What to do?

  • Don't sign up for the plan
  • If your employer provides it free, then you should
    1. Use the Out of Network Benefit, or
    2. Use the free frame and lens benefit, or
    3. Use the contact lens benefit
Shop: Eyeglasses.com offers a vast selection of
high-quality frames and lenses, at 50% lower
prices than typical network providers.

Why Going "Out of Network" Will
Save You the Most Money

vision icon
What does out-of-network mean?

An out-of-network provider is one which has not contracted with your insurance company for reimbursement at a negotiated rate.

Are Vision Benefits a Good Deal?

Many employers provide "Vision Benefits" to employees as an add-on to the total employee benefits package. Sometimes the employer pays for the premium, and sometimes the employee pays for the premium. Premiums looks small - a few dollars a week - and so employees think it's a good deal. But if you look more closely at these plans, you will see that they are not a great deal in most cases.

Why do Vision
Benefits Look Like
a Good Deal?

  • You don't pay the premium because the employer gives it to you free
  • The co-pay is low
  • You pick a frame that costs less than the frame allowance
  • You pick a lens that costs less than the lens allowance
  • You get a pair of glasses for free, or low cost

So Why are Vision
Benefits Not a
Good Deal?

  • You must use an In-Network store
  • Stores are ready for you: To make a profit, they do a few things:
    1. Inflate their prices
    2. Offer lower quality frames for vision benefits
    3. Sales pitch to more expensive add-ons
  • Many people forget to use their benefit, and lose it
  • Plans are complicated and hard to understand

How to Get the Most Out of Your
Vision Insurance Plan?

The best option is not to sign up for a vision benefit plan. But if you are already signed up,
or if your employer provides a vision benefit plan free of charge, there are some tricks to
getting the most out of it:

Set up your calendar

Set up your calendar with a reminder to make sure you use your benefit every year before the plan expires.

Use the free frame and lens benefit

Use the free frame and lens benefit. The quality of the frame and lens will be low, but you did not pay much for it. The only problem here is that low quality frames and lenses don't last as long, and may cause you inconvenience.

If you want a better quality frame

If you want a better quality frame and/or need a better quality lens (possibly due to a higher prescription), then you will save money by shopping online and using the "Out of Network" benefit.

massive selection of only high quality, guaranteed eyewear

example, provides a massive selection of only high quality, guaranteed eyewear. Because prices are over 50% lower than typical optical stores, when you use your Out of Network benefit, you pay the lowest total amount.

If you wear contact lenses

If you wear contact lenses, the benefit is also substantial, and a better deal than getting a free frame.

  • Cash Paid Out

  • Varies between FREE and
    $2.00/week, or $208/year
  • $0-$25
  • $0 - $100
  • $0 - $100
  • TOTAL OUT OF POCKET:
    0 - $433
  • What You Get Back

  • $100-$180
  • $40-$80
  • $150 - $200
  • $0 - $150

Restrictions
Use it or lose it • Once a year, or once every two years
• Can only be used at In-Network stores

Use Your FSA (Flex Spending Account)
Benefits Before Year End

cash icon

We often hear from customers after year end that they forgot to use their FSA benefits. We recommend funding HSA (Health Savings Accounts) instead of FSA accounts, because HSA funds do not expire at the end of the year. Either way, BE SURE TO USE UP YOUR FSA funds before the end of the year, or lose them!