Always confirm costs with your healthcare facility and/or insurance coverage
Vision insurance sounds like a no-brainer, right? I mean, who doesn’t want cheaper glasses or an excuse to get that annual eye exam?
But here’s the truth: vision insurance isn’t always worth it. In fact, if you’re buying glasses online, you might save more without it.
Let’s break down the real cost — and when it’s a win vs. a waste.
💡 Quick Answer:
Vision Insurance |
Typical Monthly Cost |
Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
Individual Plan |
$10 – $20 |
$120 – $240 |
Family Plan |
$20 – $40 |
$240 – $480 |
🧾 Most people pay $150–$200 per year for basic vision coverage.
🏥 What Does Vision Insurance Cover?
Service |
Covered? |
How Often? |
|---|---|---|
Eye Exam |
✅ Yes |
1x/year |
Glasses or Contacts |
✅ Partial |
Usually 1x/year or every 2 years |
Frames |
✅ Up to $150 credit |
Often limited brand options |
Lens Add-Ons (anti-glare, transitions, etc.) |
⚠️ Limited |
Small discounts only |
LASIK or Surgery |
❌ Rarely |
Not covered on most plans |
🛍️ Real Talk: Glasses Are Cheaper Online Anyway
Here’s the catch most insurers won’t tell you:
You can get glasses online for less than your insurance premium.
Retailer |
Glasses Starting At |
Prescription Lenses Included? |
|---|---|---|
Zenni Optical |
$6.95 |
✅ Yes |
EyeBuyDirect |
$15 – $30 |
✅ Yes |
GlassesUSA |
$30 – $60 |
✅ Yes |
Warby Parker |
$95 |
✅ Yes |
Costco Optical |
$60 – $100 |
✅ Yes (membership required) |
🔥 Most of these beat the pants off insurance “coverage” + copays.
📉 When Vision Insurance Might Not Be Worth It
- You buy glasses online and skip brand names
- You only need eye exams every 2–3 years
- You’re okay paying $60–$100 out-of-pocket once a year
- Your employer plan’s “benefit” barely saves you $20 after copays
📈 When Vision Insurance Is Worth It
- You need contacts monthly and use brand-name lenses
- You want designer frames (Ray-Bans, Oakley, etc.)
- You’re covering a whole family (especially kids with annual changes)
- Your employer subsidizes most of the cost (i.e. you pay <$5/month)
📊 Sample Vision Plan: VSP vs EyeMed vs Davis Vision
Provider |
Monthly Premium |
Exam Copay |
Glasses/Frame Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
VSP |
$13 |
$15 |
$150 credit |
EyeMed |
$12 |
$10 |
$130 credit |
Davis Vision |
$11 |
$10 |
$125 credit + $50 lens upgrade allowance |
🧠 Looks good on paper. But only if you’re buying in-network and using every single benefit.
🧾 Pro Tips to Max Out Your Vision Budget
- Use FSA/HSA funds for glasses or exams tax-free
- Skip insurance and shop deals from Zenni or Costco
- Ask your eye doctor for your full prescription — including PD (pupillary distance) — so you can buy glasses online
- Buy contacts with rebate programs (sometimes you save more than your insurance “discount”)
💭 Final Thoughts: Insurance or Self-Pay?
Vision insurance isn’t like health or dental — it’s not about “risk.” It’s more like a discount membership.
And sometimes? That membership just doesn’t add up.
💡 If you’re spending $180/year to “save” $100 — you’re losing.
🔚 Bottom Line
- Most vision plans cost $10–$20/month
- Out-of-pocket glasses online? Often cheaper than insurance
- Insurance is helpful if you use every benefit — otherwise, skip it
- Eye exams are cheap cash-pay ($60–$100) if you’re healthy and only need them occasionally
