How to find VSP vision providers
VSP vision providers form one of the largest coverage networks in the U.S., but eye doctors don’t always accept VSP as a form of insurance.
A provider is a medical professional who accepts a certain form of insurance. In this case, VSP providers are in-network eye doctors who accept VSP vision plans.
If you have vision insurance through VSP, you’ll want to make sure an eye doctor is on the list of VSP providers before you schedule an appointment. A few clicks or a quick phone call can save you the hassle — and potential expense — of a coverage mix-up.
How to find a VSP vision provider
One way to find VSP network doctors is by using the provider search tool on the VSP website. After clicking Find a Doctor on the home page, you can input your address or ZIP code to find in-network eye doctors in your area. You can also use the advanced search feature to filter by:
Doctor network – Choice or Signature, etc.
Type of doctor – Optometrist or ophthalmologist
Products – Glasses, contacts, specialty eyewear for sports or safety, etc.
Services – Eye exam, telemedicine, vision therapy, children’s eye care, etc.
Frame brands – Anne Klein, Converse, DKNY, Nike, Nine West, etc.
Hours and scheduling – Extended and/or weekend hours, online scheduling availability
Gender of doctor
Language spoken
Distance from your address or ZIP code
As you review your search results, make sure to look for the orange Premier Program logo next to provider listings. VSP providers in the Premier Program — accessible to all VSP members — use the newest exam technology and offer convenient hours, special offers and a wide selection of products.
All About Vision Doctor Locator
You can also search for a VSP doctor here on All About Vision. To access the AAV search tool, click the blue button in the top-right corner of this page that says Find Eye Doctor. This will bring you to a new page with a map.
After you enter your location near the top of the page, click the insurance box to the right, which may be pre-filled with “I’ll choose my insurance later.” Scroll down until you see “VSP,” then select it to update the map and search results below to show only eye doctors and vision offices that accept VSP vision insurance.
To estimate the total cost of your visit and verify your coverage, it’s never a bad idea to call VSP ahead of time.
Where VSP eye doctors practice
VSP providers practice in all kinds of settings, including:
Private practices – One eye doctor who practices alone.
Group practices – Multiple eye doctors who practice at the same office or group of offices. Sometimes, both optometrists and ophthalmologists (medical eye doctors) practice at the same location.
Retail stores – Stand-alone shops and regional/national chains that offer eye exams and sell corrective lenses on-site. Ex: LensCrafters, Visionworks
Vision centers – Optical offices inside (or attached to) a supermarket, big-box store or wholesale club. Ex: Target Optical, Costco vision centers
Eye doctors at retail chains and vision centers are usually optometrists who primarily perform routine comprehensive eye exams.
If you’re experiencing any specific eye-related symptoms, such as pain, redness or sudden changes in your vision, you may want to schedule a visit with an optometrist or ophthalmologist in a private or group practice.
These doctors are usually better equipped to diagnose, manage and treat medical eye conditions. But keep in mind that appointments with ophthalmologists may be billed as medical visits, which are covered by health insurance instead of vision insurance.
SEE RELATED: Which eye doctor should I see?
Eye exam costs with in-network doctors
VSP, along with other forms of vision insurance, usually cover most of the cost of one comprehensive eye exam each year. This is the routine exam most people use to renew their vision prescription and check on the health of their eyes.
A glasses eye exam copay (the part you’re responsible for) tends to be around $10 to $20, but this varies too. In some plans, there is no copay at all, so you won’t pay anything out of pocket.
Some plans also cover part of the fee for a contact lens fitting — a short process added onto a glasses eye exam that provides you with a contact prescription.
Vision plans vary by state, employer and type of coverage, so checking your specific plan is the only guaranteed way to find out how much you’ll pay for an eye exam.
If you can’t find your coverage information, a VSP representative should be able to help. You can find the contact details for your particular plan on your VSP member card.
READ MORE: How to use an FSA to reduce costs even more
Page published on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
