Vision insurance is a type of health insurance that covers some or all of the costs of eye care services and products, such as eye exams, glasses, contacts, and more.
Vision insurance can help you save money on your eye care needs and protect your vision health.
In this article, we will review the top 5 vision insurance providers in Texas, based on their coverage, network, benefits, costs, and customer satisfaction.
Understanding the Importance of Vision Insurance in Texas
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 91 million Americans are at risk of vision loss due to eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.
Moreover, about 12 million Americans have vision impairment due to refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Regular eye exams can help detect and treat these eye conditions before they cause permanent damage to your vision. Eye exams can also help identify other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.
However, eye exams can be expensive without vision insurance. The average cost of an eye exam in Texas is $114, according to VSP Vision Care.
Glasses can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on the frames, lenses, and enhancements you choose. Contacts can cost between $220 and $260 per year for a single-vision prescription.
Vision insurance can help you lower these costs by paying for a portion or all of your eye care expenses. Depending on your plan, you may pay a monthly premium, a copay for each service or product, and/or a deductible before your coverage kicks in. You may also have an annual limit on how much your plan will pay for your eye care.
Top Vision Insurance Providers in Texas
There are many vision insurance providers in Texas that offer different plans and options for individuals and families.
Here are the top 5 vision insurance providers in Texas that we recommend:
1. VSP (Vision Service Plan)
VSP is one of the largest and most popular vision insurance providers in the nation. It has a network of over 36,000 independent doctors and over 700 retail locations in Texas.
VSP offers three individual plans: Standard ($13/month), EasyOptions ($18/month), and Enhanced ($30/month).
Each plan covers an annual eye exam with a $15 copay and provides an allowance for frames or contacts.
The EasyOptions and Enhanced plans also offer additional benefits such as progressive lenses, anti-reflective coating, light-reactive lenses, and extra savings on LASIK surgery.
2. EyeMed
EyeMed is another leading vision insurance provider that has a network of over 44,000 providers and over 1,000 retail locations in Texas.
EyeMed offers four individual plans: Healthy ($5/month), Bold ($17.50/month), Bright ($30/month), and Shine ($40/month).
Each plan covers an annual eye exam with a $10 copay and provides an allowance for frames or contacts.
The Bold, Bright, and Shine plans also offer discounts on lens enhancements such as scratch-resistant coating, UV protection, tinting, polarization, and more.
3. Humana
Humana is a well-known health insurance provider that also offers vision insurance plans for individuals and families.
Humana has a network of over 35,000 providers and over 22,000 locations in Texas. Humana offers two individual plans: Plan A ($11/month) and Plan B ($15/month).
Plan A covers an annual eye exam with a $10 copay and provides a $150 allowance for frames or contacts.
Plan B covers both frames and contacts with a $150 allowance each. Both plans also cover scratch-resistant coating in full for glasses purchased through a network provider.
4. UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is another reputable health insurance provider that also offers vision insurance plans for individuals and families.
UnitedHealthcare has a network of over 80,000 providers and over 200 retail locations in Texas.
UnitedHealthcare offers two individual plans: Plan A ($11/month) and Plan B ($15/month).
Plan A covers an annual eye exam with a $10 copay and provides a $150 allowance for frames or contacts.
Plan B covers both frames and contacts with a $150 allowance each. Both plans also cover select contact lens purchases in full, including an initial fitting assessment and up to two follow-up visits.
5. Davis Vision
Davis Vision is a subsidiary of Versant Health that specializes in vision insurance plans for individuals and families.
Davis Vision has a network of over 93,000 providers and over 45 retail locations in Texas. Davis Vision offers three individual plans: Basic ($7.99/month), Enhanced ($11.99/month), and Designer ($15.99/month).
Each plan covers an annual eye exam with a $10 copay and provides an allowance for frames or contacts. The Enhanced and Designer plans also offer discounts on lens enhancements such as anti-reflective coating,
Key Features of Each Provider
To help you compare the top 5 vision insurance providers in Texas more easily, we have summarized their key features in the table below:
| Provider | Coverage | Network | Benefits | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VSP | Eye exam: $15 copay Frames: $150-$230 allowance Contacts: $150-$230 allowance | Over 36,000 independent doctors Over 700 retail locations | Additional benefits for progressive lenses, anti-reflective coating, light-reactive lenses Extra savings on LASIK surgery Free warranty on featured frame brands | Standard: $13/month EasyOptions: $18/month Enhanced: $30/month |
| EyeMed | Eye exam: $10 copay Frames: $130-$200 allowance Contacts: $130-$200 allowance | Over 44,000 providers Over 1,000 retail locations | Discounts on lens enhancements such as scratch-resistant coating, UV protection, tinting Members-only savings on eyewear brands Free shipping on online orders | Healthy: $5/month Bold: $17.50/month Bright: $30/month Shine: $40/month |
| Humana | Eye exam: $10 copay Frames: $150 allowance Contacts: $150 allowance (Plan B only) | Over 35,000 providers Over 22,000 locations | Scratch-resistant coating covered in full Select contact lenses covered in full Discounts on LASIK surgery Free hearing exam | Plan A: $11/month Plan B: $15/month |
| UnitedHealthcare | Eye exam: $10 copay Frames: $150 allowance Contacts: $150 allowance | Over 80,000 providers Over 200 retail locations | Select contact lenses covered in full Initial fitting assessment covered in full Discounts on additional pairs of glasses Free hearing screening | Plan A: $11/month Plan B: $15/month |
| Davis Vision | Eye exam: $10 copay Frames: $130-$180 allowance Contacts: $130-$180 allowance | Over 93,000 providers Over 45 retail locations | Discounts on lens enhancements such as anti-reflective coating Free warranty on all eyewear Free eye exams at Walmart Free hearing aid evaluation | Basic: $7.99/month Enhanced: $11.99/month Designer: $15.99/month |
How to Choose the Right Vision Insurance Provider in Texas?
Choosing the right vision insurance provider in Texas depends on several factors such as your vision needs, budget, preferences, and expectations.
Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:
- Assess your vision needs and budget: Think about how often you need eye exams, glasses, contacts, or other eye care services and products. Also, consider how much you can afford to pay for monthly premiums, copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Research the provider’s network and coverage options: Look for a provider that has a large and convenient network of eye care professionals and retailers near you. Also, compare the different plans and options that each provider offers and see what they cover and what they don’t.
- Check for additional benefits and discounts: Some providers may offer extra perks and savings that can enhance your vision care experience and lower your costs. For example, you may get discounts on LASIK surgery, a free warranty on eyewear, free shipping on online orders, or free hearing exams.
- Read reviews and ratings: You can learn a lot from other customers’ feedback and experiences with different providers. Look for reviews and ratings online or ask your friends and family for recommendations. Pay attention to factors such as customer service, claims processing, quality of products, and satisfaction levels.
Compare plans and pricing: Once you have narrowed down your choices, you can compare the plans and pricing of different providers side by side. Look for the best value and balance between coverage, costs, benefits, and quality.
