By Madeleine Vessel; reviewed by Gary Heiting, OD

When considering vision insurance plans, be aware that though different plans may offer similar benefits, they can vary in important ways, such as the number of optometrists and ophthalmologists participating in the plan's provider network.

Also, plans can differ in whether eye exams, eyewear and other services are provided by eye doctors in the plan's network at a discounted fee or are included as part of a specified annual benefits package.

Understanding Eye Care Provider Networks

Eye care provider networks contract with vision insurance organizations to provide eye care services at discounted rates for participants in a vision insurance or benefits plan. This arrangement can take several forms:

• If vision insurance is linked to an HMO (health maintenance organization), participants usually are required to obtain services only from network providers.

• If vision insurance is joined to a PPO (preferred provider organization), participants usually are allowed to access out-of-network providers — but at a greater cost.

• If vision insurance is added on to an indemnity insurance plan, participants can use any provider they wish.

• If the vision plan is purchased directly from a vision insurance company, it likely will function like a PPO plan.

[Read more about indemnity insurance plans, HMOs and PPOs.]

Evaluating an Eye Care Provider Network

When evaluating an eye care provider network for yourself or for your employees, consider the following:

• Is there a good selection of network providers within close proximity of either your home or your workplace to serve eye care needs?

• How long must you wait for an appointment with a network provider?

• How much travel is required to visit a network provider?

• Is your current eye doctor a member of the network?

• Are network providers highly recommended in their communities?

When you have answered this list of questions, you should have enough information to decide whether a provider network meets your needs.

Understanding Vision Benefits Packages

Vision benefits packages provide participants with specific eye care services in exchange for an annual premium or membership fee.

Basic coverage includes a comprehensive eye examination and a pair of eyeglasses or set of contact lenses. Allowances sometimes are given for designer frames, specialty lenses and LASIK or PRK refractive surgery.

A participant sometimes must pay a deductible, which is a minimum dollar amount, before plan benefits go into effect. Often, participants also must pay a co-pay, which is a fixed dollar amount, each time they access a service from a network provider. And limits usually are set on the number of times a participant may access a service during a given coverage period.

Most vision benefits packages also give allowances for services accessed through out-of-network providers. Typically, a participant using an out-of-network provider pays the provider in full at the time of service, then requests reimbursement of an allowed portion of the costs from their vision insurance company.

The premium or membership fee amount depends on the level of coverage the plan provides — full service, eye exam only or materials only. The number of family members covered and the amount of co-pay also are factors in determining the amount of the premium.

A vision plan you buy as an individual may have a higher premium, because you do not benefit from group coverage offered through a company or organization.

Understanding Vision Discount Plans

Vision discount plans are structured differently than vision benefits packages. In vision discount plans, you pay an annual premium or membership fee to access a network of eye care providers who have promised to offer services and eyewear at specified discounted prices.

Like vision benefits packages, vision discount plans typically include comprehensive eye exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses. Some plans also offer discounted fees for LASIK and other elective vision correction surgery.

Subscribers to a vision discount plan typically pay in advance for a membership card or an I.D. number that authorizes the participant to receive discounted service fees and eyewear prices from eye care providers in the plan's network.

Generally, vision discount plan members can obtain discounted services from the plan's network of providers whenever and as often as they wish during the coverage period.

Many vision discount plans also allow out-of-network services. When participants use an out-of-network provider, they pay in full at the time of service, then request reimbursement of an allowed portion of the total cost from the company that administers the plan.

The amount of premium or membership fee depends on the level of coverage the plan provides, the number of family members covered, the amount each service is discounted below regular retail prices and whether the plan is a group plan or an individual plan.

Without the advantage of group coverage offered through a company or organization, a vision discount plan you buy as an individual may have a higher premium.

[Read more about how to use your vision insurance benefits and how to shop for a vision benefits plan.]

Page published on Wednesday, February 27, 2019