UnitedHealthcare Vision Insurance Review

Key Points:

• Available in most states
• Two plans, one that covers both eyeglasses and contacts, one that covers either option
• A large network of providers

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Your eyes are an incredibly important part of your life. You use them almost every minute of every day. Getting insurance that can help you take care of your eyes is an integral part of taking care of your health. But most basic health insurance plans don’t provide vision care, like purchasing eyeglasses.

UnitedHealthcare Vision insurance is designed specifically to help you take care of your eyes. It covers comprehensive eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses if your regular health plan doesn’t cover these things. Read on to learn more about UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Vision insurance and its plan options.

UnitedHealthcare Vision Insurance: At a glance

	UnitedHealthcare Vision Insurance
J.D. Power Score	4 out of 5 stars
A.M. Best Rating	A-
Discounts Available	Yes
Premiums	Starting at $11.40

UnitedHealthcare Vision is a relatively strong choice for vision benefits. It has a national network of more than 80,000 vision providers and offers coverage for all of the things that you’d expect, including visits to the optometrist, frames, lenses, and contacts.

The insurer offers two different types of vision coverage, one for people who want to purchase either glasses or contact lenses and one for people who prefer to have both available. The plan that covers both glasses and contacts costs a bit more each month and otherwise offers almost identical coverage for the cost of eye exams, frames, and lenses.

Residents of most states can purchase insurance from UnitedHealthcare Vision without going through their employer. This can make it a good choice for the unemployed, self-employed, or those who don’t get vision insurance from their job.

What does UnitedHealthcare insurance cover?

There are two plan options available from UnitedHealthcare. The first plan, Plan A, starts at $11.40 per month. Plan B starts at $15.70 per month. You can add additional family members to the plans at the cost of $7.20 and $9.90, respectively.

Both plans cover the cost of a visit to the optometrist after you make a $10 copay. They also offer a $150 frame allowance and pay for eyeglass lenses—including single vision, bifocal, and trifocal lenses, with scratch-resistant coating—after a $10 copayment. Contact lenses from the select list are free every 12 months.

The major difference between the plans is that Plan A covers the cost of either glasses or contacts. Plan B covers the cost of both, so if you prefer to have both glasses and contacts, Plan B is the better plan for you.

Does UnitedHealthcare offer LASIK coverage?

UnitedHealthcare insurance company does not offer coverage for LASIK eye surgery procedures, but it does cover the cost of LASIK exams up to $100. They also help connect you to providers who charge as little as $695 per eye for UnitedHealthcare Vision subscribers.

If you do opt for the procedure, UnitedHealthcare Vision can also help you secure financing and provides free enhancements for life.

Pros and cons of UHC Vision

Pros

• Two plans, one that lets you get both glasses and contacts
• Can sign up without your employer
• A large network of vision providers
• Can apply if you’re covered by Medicare
• Plan members get discounts on hearing aids

Cons

• High costs for out-of-network care
• More expensive than some other plans
• Plans vary significantly by state

How to get a UnitedHealthcare Vision plan: Eligibility & application requirements

UnitedHealthcare Vision is available through employers, but you can also sign up for it on your own by visiting UnitedHealthcare’s website. The company does not state any specific eligibility requirements for the plan but will ask you for some relevant medical information, including your age and whether you use tobacco.

The plan is available in most states, though policies can differ from state to state. UHC partners with local insurers in the states it does not cover, so it can refer you to one of its partners if you need to get coverage.

How to apply

Applying for a UnitedHealthcare Vision plan is relatively easy. You can visit the company’s website and enter your ZIP code. The website will redirect to a page outlining the plans available or to a partner insurance provider if UnitedHealthcare Vision doesn’t operate in your state.

From there, you provide identifying information like your name and date of birth, the plan you want to purchase, and the date you want your policy to begin.

Who accepts UnitedHealthcare Vision?

UnitedHealthcare Vision has more than 80,000 in-network providers, making it one of the largest eyecare networks in the United States.

You can easily find an in-network provider by using the provider locator at myuhcvision.com. You’ll automatically get a list of the nearest participating vision care providers. Then, filter the results to only show providers in your town, making it easy to find the one closest to you.

Where to find UnitedHealthcare Vision Insurance alternatives

UnitedHealthcare is one of the top vision insurance companies in the United States, but there are plenty of other options you can choose. If you’re not sure that UnitedHealthcare Vision is the right plan for you, check out our guide to the best vision insurance policies.