Understanding Vision Plans

Vision plans are an extremely affordable additional insurance benefit provided to employees that helps to cover the costs of glasses, contacts, and eye care.
Vision impairment is considered as one of the top ten causes of disabilities in the United States. According to the Vision Council of America, over 70% of Americans use different sorts of vision correction treatments through eyeglasses and/or contact lenses. An employee’s vision is a critical component to living daily life, and providing a a vision plan can help organizations stay competitive in their benefits offerings.

Why Should Small Businesses Get Vision Plans?

Company benefits packages usually offer a variety of features for different health needs. Comprehensive health insurance plans are now required, however, these standard insurance plans also have limitations and exclusions. A vision plan can help employees offset costs related to glasses, contacts, and routine eye examinations.

Vision plans can provide vision wellness packages, and improve employees’ overall health. Vision plans can cover expenses not included in the company health insurance plans or vice versa. When small businesses bundle up their insurance plans, they can save a ton of money.

What Are The Types Of Vision Plans Available For Small Businesses?

Group vision insurance plans typically come in the form of vision benefits packages or discount vision plans. Both plans allow in-house or outside-network eye care services and offer basic coverage, but they also have major differences in terms of cost and overall coverage:

Vision Benefits Packages

A type of group insurance plan that offers vision care services in exchange for an annual membership fee or an annual premium. The fees may be considered as deductibles every year or co-pays paid for each service. There’s a fixed dollar amount for every coverage.

Discount Vision Plans

These plans are relatively cheaper compared to vision benefits packages, but they also require annual membership fees or annual premiums. The plan provides discounted vision care services once the company pays the fees or premiums. The discounted rates also have limitations. To know which of the two packages can save your small business some money, HR consultants like Crabtree Benefits can analyze the needs and risks of the company and find the best combination package. Many insurance providers and brokers provide vision plans combined with dental plans or general health insurance plans. The cost may vary per state of residence or package, but Crabtree Benefits can always find options at affordable rates.

What Are The Common Coverage And Limitations Of Vision Plans?

Vision plans, regardless of the type of package, cover full or a portion of the employees’ needed eye vision correction accessories and treatments. The basic coverage may include the following:

Basic preventive care services like eye examinations, vision tests, and consultations

Eyeglass frames and lenses

Contacts or lenses (some insurance plans make employees choose between eyeglasses and contact lenses)

Further, you can also consult Crabtree Benefits to compare the best vision insurance packages for small businesses in the market.

Key Takeaways

Over 70% of Americans use vision correction accessories.

The two main types of vision plans are Vision Benefits Packages and Discount Vision Plans.

Vision plans go beyond routine eye check-ups and treatments. Through a routine eye exam, health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes can be detected.

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