Vision Insurance Providers

By Madeleine Vessel

Typically, vision insurance or benefits companies are preferred provider organizations (PPOs). A vision insurance PPO contracts with a network of eye care professionals that includes optometrists, ophthalmologists, eyewear outlets, contact lens manufacturers, and optical laboratories to provide services to vision plan members at fixed rates. These rates sometimes can be reduced significantly below posted retail prices.

A vision insurance PPO usually offers access to both network and out-of-network providers. Vision plan members are asked to pay a small co-pay, $10-$15, at the time each network service is rendered.

Vision plan members electing to use out-of-network providers are required to pay the full bill at the time of service. Afterward, they can request reimbursement from the vision insurance company. Out-of-network provider services usually are more expensive than network services.

Major vision insurance companies in the United States include:

• AlwaysCare
• Davis Vision
• EyeMed
• Spectera
• Vision Service Plan (VSP)

You also can find a list of providers through the National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP), although not all major companies belong to the organization.

[Page updated August 2007]