Vision

Who it's for

• People who wear glasses or contact lenses
• Families who want routine eye exams for kids
• Anyone whose medical plan doesn't include routine adult vision care
• People who'd like to bundle vision with dental

How it works

A vision plan works alongside your medical coverage. You pay a premium, and in return the plan covers a routine eye exam on a set schedule and gives you an allowance or copay toward glasses or contact lenses.

Most plans work best with in-network eye doctors and retailers. When you go in network, the plan typically pays its part directly and you pay any copay plus anything above your allowance. Out-of-network visits may be reimbursed at a lower set amount.

Vision plans cover routine care. Medical eye problems like infections, injuries, glaucoma, or cataracts are generally billed to your health insurance instead.

What it covers

Vision plans commonly include:

• A routine eye exam, often once a year
• An allowance or copay for eyeglass frames and lenses
• An allowance for contact lenses in place of glasses
• Discounts on certain lens options or extra pairs on some plans

Carriers you can quote online

You can compare stand-alone vision from UnitedHealthcare, Pivot Health, and Ameritas. UnitedHealthcare vision is administered by Spectera on the UnitedHealthcare Vision Network, with no waiting period for exams and eyewear. In many states you can buy it alone or add it to a dental plan. Pivot Health offers vision add-ons through networks such as VSP and EyeMed. What's available depends on your state.

What affects the cost

Prices aren't one-size-fits-all. These factors usually make the biggest difference:

• How many people are covered
• The size of the frame and contact lens allowances
• How often you can get new frames and lenses
• The network of eye doctors and retailers
• Whether it's bundled with a dental plan

To judge value, add up what you'd likely spend on an exam and eyewear in a year and compare it with the yearly premium plus copays.

When you can enroll

Stand-alone vision plans bought directly from a carrier can often be purchased year-round. Coverage start dates and waiting rules vary by plan. Children's vision is part of ACA health plans, which follow Open Enrollment. For 2027 coverage, Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Choose a plan by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1; plans chosen December 16 through January 15 generally start February 1.

Key things to know

Routine vs. medical eye care

Vision plans cover routine eye care. Eye injuries and conditions like glaucoma or cataracts are typically covered by your medical insurance.

Children's vision is an essential health benefit

Pediatric vision care is included in ACA-compliant plans. Adult vision care generally isn't.

Check the provider network

Many vision plans have networks of eye doctors and retailers. Using in-network providers usually gets you the most value.

Allowances and frequency

Plans often set how often you can get new frames or lenses, and how much they'll contribute.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Buying a plan without checking whether your eye doctor is in network
• Expecting a vision plan to cover medical eye conditions
• Not using the yearly exam or allowance before it resets
• Assuming adult vision is included in a health plan

How Hollen helps

Hollen can compare vision plans from carriers such as EyeMed and VSP Vision Care, check your eye doctor, and quote vision together with dental so both are handled at once.

Frequently asked questions

Related coverage

Dental Insurance Plans · Family Health Insurance Plans · Individual / Private Health Insurance

Hollen is licensed in 14 states. See coverage details for South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Florida, or all licensed states.

This page is general educational information, not a guarantee of coverage, eligibility, or cost. Benefits, availability, and rules vary by plan, carrier, and state. Contact Hollen for details on specific plans.