Best Vision Insurance in Washington

Washington residents spend several thousand dollars per capita on healthcare expenditures, and finding ways to make health care more affordable is a priority for many Washington households. Getting the best vision insurance coverage is a great way to reduce overall costs, and it is something that you can do to improve your quality of life. When you can see well and manage your eye care, you are more likely than ever to feel well.

Quick Look: The Best Vision Insurance in Washington

• Top-Rated Vision Insurance: VSP
• Best for Large Suite of Products: UnitedHealthcare
• Top-Rated Customer Service: Davis Vision
• Best for Claims: EyeMed
• Best for Adult and Child Orthodontia Benefits: Ameritas

Compare Vision Insurance in Washington

You can usually purchase vision insurance at any time because most plans are standalone plans that aren’t subject to open enrollment periods like the Affordable Care Act health plans. This means that you have more chances then ever to uncover the best plan and make the most of it.

However, expect to make a 1-year commitment and waiting periods for coverage may apply. Some providers offer a discount for paying the annual premium all at once. Here are the top vision insurance picks for Washington State residents.

1. Top-Rated Vision Insurance: VSP

We like VSP for its easy-to-understand coverage, which makes VSP a solid choice for consumers and a common choice for employer-sponsored plans.

Plans in Washington are affordable, often sitting between $10 and $15 per month, so VSP isn’t the lowest-cost plan in terms of monthly premiums — but the combination of coverages and affordable copayments make VSP a compelling value for many households.

Exam copays are fixed on your plan and basic lenses are covered with another, affordable copayment, whether you go for single, bifocal or trifocal lenses. Remember, plans will change based on the coverage offered and where it has come from.

Frame coverage comes with an allowance for individuals, depending on the plan you choose. Copayments for lens options vary, so you’ll want to review the costs if you use lens options like anti-glare or progressive lenses.

2. Best for Large Suite of Products: UnitedHealthcare

Through its subsidiary, Golden Rule Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare offers 2 choices for vision insurance coverage in Washington, priced monthly at around $10 per month. Features and copayments for the plans are similar with one major distinction:

More extensive plans tend to cover contacts as well — even if you purchased glasses with the plan.

A less-expensive plan only provides coverage for one of the two. Annual eye exams are available with a small copay and out-of-network exams are covered for up to the policy limit.

Frames from in-network providers are covered with a generous allowance, which is usually halved to if you choose an out-of-network provider. No coverage is provided for lens options but allowances for single vision, bifocal or trifocal lenses help keep costs affordable.

3. Top-Rated Customer Service: Davis Vision

With a history dating back to 1917 as Davis Optical, a family-owned eyecare store, Davis Vision has transformed over the years to become one of the leading managed vision care programs.

Many of Davis’ over 22 million members come to the company through employer-sponsored plans, but individual and family plans are also available through online brokers.

Expect to pay between a little less than $15 per month for plans. Plan premiums include a $1 per month membership fee for Benefits Association, Inc. (BAI) membership, which is required for purchase.

Eye exam copayments are affordable and frame allowances are generous. Mid- and top-tier plans provide frame replacement allowances once per year. Standard prescription lenses are available annually with an affordable copay.

4. Best for Claims: EyeMed

Over 44,000 independent providers accept vision insurance through EyeMed. Most insurers offer a 20% discount on a second pair of glasses within the policy year. EyeMed offers a 40% discount.

EyeMed’s vision discount plan begins at $5 per month. The family plan is more extensive, with allowances and copays. It starts around $30.

EyeMed supports OneSight, a nonprofit organization that provides vision care in underserved communities across the world.

5. Best for Coverage Options: Ameritas

Vision insurance coverage through Ameritas offers the freedom to choose any provider and coverage beginning on day 1, often for less than $10 per month.

The plan provides an annual exam with a small copayment and an exam allowance, which should cover most basic exams with no additional out-of-pocket costs.

Frames come with a lifetime deductible, which can add to the cost of your first pair and have a small allowance. Lenses have a separate allowance, depending on the type of lenses you need (single, bifocal, trifocal or progressive). Lens or contact lens replacement is available once per year but frames are only covered once every 24 months.

Overview: Vision Coverage in Washington State

Vision coverage is included in many workplace health care plans, but many other plans don’t include vision insurance. Washington state seniors also have a need for eye care coverage.

Unfortunately, Medicare Part A and Part B won’t cover most vision care needs, forcing you to explore complicated Medicare Advantage Plans, which may or may not provide the coverage you need. A number of independent vision insurance plans can help fill the gap and provide coverage for exams, glasses or contacts and offer easy-to-understand coverage options.

If you qualify based on income and household size, limited vision coverage may be available through Washington Apple Health (Medicaid). In some cases, health insurance add-ons, like vision or dental insurance, may be available.

Healthplanfinder is a health care portal specific to Washington and independent of Healthcare.gov. If you don’t qualify for Washington Apple Health (free or low-cost) coverage, you may still qualify for federal subsidies for health care plans purchased through Washington Healthplanfinder.

Many households in the market for vision insurance choose to bypass the limitations of state portal plans and purchase their own coverage directly from providers. Strictly speaking, most vision coverage isn’t insurance but is closer to a maintenance plan that includes certain services and offers reduced pricing on other products or services. The end result is often both cost savings and more predictable eye care expenses.

Costs for vision insurance plans in Washington range from $10 to $20 per month in most cases. Some plans cost a bit more and family plans offering a lower cost per person than individual plans. 

If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) through your employer, you can use your plan savings to help pay for approved expenses not covered by your plan. This structure can reduce your costs further but federal rules prohibit the use of tax-advantaged health savings accounts to pay for coverage premiums.

Standalone vision insurance coverage typically doesn’t require a deductible but copayments are common. Copayments are paid directly to the service provider and are usually low.

In almost all cases, you’ll find corrective eye surgery, like LASIK or PRK laser eye surgery, are offered at discounted pricing only. Plans don’t provide payment toward the procedure but may provide a lower price than you can negotiate independently.

What to Look for in the Best Vision Insurance Companies

You’ll find many similar plan structures as you shop for vision insurance coverage. Some plans manage costs by using network doctors and may offer different coverage structures for out-of-network coverage.

Terms you’ll encounter include copayments or the amount you’ll pay at the time a service is performed, and allowances, which refer to the amount the coverage provider will pay for a service. Amounts above the allowance have to be paid out-of-pocket directly to the service provider.

Expect to make a 12-month commitment for your vision insurance coverage. You can usually pay monthly, which makes your vision care costs predictable and affordable.

Affordable Monthly Rate

It’s easy to overpay for coverage, so it’s important to evaluate a plan’s value based on how you’ll use it. A plan with higher premiums may offer more coverage but the coverage advantages may be for services you and your family won’t use.

Similarly, the lowest-cost plan may have higher copays or lower allowances, which can make the overall cost higher in some cases. Always evaluate a plan based on the cost of the services you expect to use.

Ample Allowances

Do you have receipts from previous eyewear purchases? If so, examine your recent costs for glasses. You’ll want to pick a plan that offers a similar level of coverage.

The allowance is the amount the vision insurance provider will pay toward frames and basic lenses. Lens treatments are usually extras and often are only partly covered. Also, any amounts above the allowance must be paid out of pocket.

Network Coverage

There are several situations in which the number of doctors in the plan and the locations can be a consideration. If you (or your kids) prefer a certain eye doctor, you’ll want to consider plans that your optometrist uses. You may wish to choose a plan that covers other areas where you or your family frequently travel.

Depending on the plan you choose, care outside of the network may not be covered or may be covered at a reduced rate.

Affordable Copayments

The copayment is the part of the office visit or service that you pay and is a fixed dollar amount. Not all services have copayments and there may be other out-of-pocket costs as well. For example, you might have a $10 copay for an exam or a $20 copay for frames and basic lenses.

Lens Enhancement Coverage

Lens enhancements, like glare-resistant lenses or scratch or impact-resistant lenses, often have a higher copayment than exams or frames with basic lenses.

Each vision insurance provider offers a slightly different pricing schedule. It makes sense to consider copayments for lens enhancements for specific frame options you expect to use now and in the future.

Frame Allowances

A frame allowance covers a certain amount of your frame purchase each year, and you need to know how much that allowance is before you shop for new glasses.

Online Shopping

Online shopping allows you to use your benefits online without going to a store. This might be the easiest way to buy glasses, and you can also see how much your benefits are covering. This is helpful for those who don’t have quality eye care stores in their area or don’t have the time to shop around.

Choosing the Best Vision Insurance in Washington State

If one or more people in your household need glasses, a vision plan can often save you money and sometimes the savings can be significant. Take your time when choosing and review coverage details carefully when choosing because most plans require a 12-month commitment.

Some plans may require a waiting period before full coverage is available. In particular, pay special attention to lens option costs if you use lens options. Some plans may only offer minimal coverage, which can lead to costly surprises, while others offer generous coverage or even no-cost coverage for many popular options. 

Don’t forget: if you have a health savings account or flexible savings account, the tax-free savings in your account can help cover copayments or other out-of-pocket (non-premium) expenses.

Considering your insurance options? Check out Benzinga's guide on whether vision insurance is worth it. Also, if you're looking for your little one(s), explore your choices for vision insurance for kids.

Frequently Asked Questions