Health insurance coverage takes a large part of a company's profits, but thankfully vision care benefits aren't overly expensive. A regular health insurance plan covers illnesses and emergencies, but it doesn't cover vision maintenance, glasses or contacts. A business that offers employees individual vision insurance not only helps employees cover vision costs, but attracts and keeps worthy employees.

When shopping around for the different pricing and costs of vision insurance, you'll see there are two main ways to offer vision benefits. Available individual vision plans include insurance or discount plans. An employer typically pays between 25% to 50% of the cost, and may spend up to $50 per employee, per year. When comparing the costs of vision care coverage, keep these points in mind:

1. The monthly payment for individual eye insurance reduces with a higher deductible fee.

2. Copay amounts are important to employees, so look for a plan that has a copay of $25 or less.

3. Vision insurance companies use network providers, so make sure there is a selection of providers available in your area before purchasing a plan.

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Get vision insurance quotes from online insurance brokers

Insurance brokers work with a variety of companies, providing quotes to individuals and groups. By supplying basic information, you can get quotes from a variety of vision insurance companies from one broker. Vision insurance plans typically range from $45 to $80 per employee through an insurance provider.

I recommend: Get quotes from insurance companies that service your area from eHealthInsurance Services. Look at vision insurance plans from HealthInsuranceSort.com and get quotes from leading insurance companies.

Check out eye care coverage through a vision discount plan

A vision discount plan is different from insurance, because rather than having to file claims, participants are given reduced pricing for vision services. And unlike insurance, vision discount plans don't have a set number of yearly visits.

I recommend: Offer employees discounts of between 20% and 50% on vision care through EyeBenefits. Request information from the Coast to Coast Vision Plan and receive information on how employees can save up to 60% on vision costs.

Work directly with vision care insurance companies for group rates

While the free online quotes from agencies and brokers are easy to do, sometimes dealing directly with your preferred insurance agency works better. Online insurance quotes basically do a one-size-fits-all type of quoting. Working with an agent can help you negotiate a better deal for your business than sticking with an online quote.

I recommend: Get quotes from Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association by entering your zip code and finding plans for your location. UnitedHealthcare offers national vision programs based on location.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your company can afford it, you can offer both vision insurance for individuals partnered with a discount plan.

Many self-employed business owners forgo individual eye insurance, seeing it as an extra expense. However, individual vision insurance plans are becoming more affordable and many are geared toward self-employed workers. Obtain the eye care coverage that you need and keep your eyes, as well as your family’s, healthy for years to come. Why consider vision insurance plans?

1. Individual eye insurance saves you money on exams, glasses and contact lens.
2. You’ll be able to keep track of your eye health and find potential problems early.
3. Vision insurance quotes are easy to get and you won’t even need to leave your office to get them.

Although many of us tend to take our eye health for granted, individual vision insurance can be an easy way to help you get the eye care that you need at affordable prices.

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Look into vision insurance plans if you have employees

Offering your employees health, dental and vision insurance can be a way of retaining happy employees. You may get a better deal on insurance by packaging all three together.

I recommend: VSP offers individual vision insurance and employer plans. Get a quote for small business group vision insurance with eHealth Insurance.

Get quotes for vision insurance for individuals online

Most insurance companies have websites that give quick vision insurance quotes. Use the services to get a ballpark idea on cost of vision insurance plans.

I recommend: Request an online quote from Individual Health Plans. You can also request a quote from Stepping Stone.

Check with your other insurance companies about vision insurance

Many insurance companies offer discounts if you have multiple plans with them. Check with your health, car or home insurance company to find out if they carry vision insurance for individuals and eligibility for discounts.

I recommend: Aflac sells individual vision insurance through local sales agents. Contact Principle about available vision plans.

Decide on the coverage you need

If you're paying for your own insurance out of pocket, you may want to use higher deductibles or a little less coverage to keep the cost manageable. Add up your typical vision costs per year and how much the coverage would save you, but keep in mind that insurance is important for emergencies and bigger problems.

I recommend: Use Spectera’s or Avesis’s locator to see if there is a vision provider near you. AARP offers vision discounts for members.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you already have a eye care provider that you like, ask him or her for recommendations on vision insurance plans. This can help you find an individual plan that includes the provider that is familiar with your vision care history.

Employee health insurance covers matters of health, including eye trauma, but it doesn't include basic eye care coverage. Regular eye care coverage includes glasses, contact lenses, eye exams and optional LASIK surgery. If you want employees to have full health coverage, including vision, you'll need a separate vision care policy for employees.

Vision insurance plans are cheaper than health insurance plans, so employees don't usually mind paying a few dollars extra for individual eye insurance. There are two types of vision insurance plans, those that are full coverage insurance and those that provide a discount of services. Before purchasing a vision care policy for your company, ask the provider these questions:

1. Does the provider have a dental and vision insurance combination that is affordable? This is a great way to help employees out and keep them working for your company.

2. How many employees must your company have in order to qualify for group vision care coverage?

3. Is the plan actual insurance or a discount policy, and are network providers available in your area?

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Find companies that offer affordable vision insurance for small businesses

A small business that offers comprehensive health coverage along with individual vision insurance is a huge draw to prospective employees. A good benefits package can outweigh a less than expected salary for many employees, and help keep valuable employees with your company.

I recommend: Check out Vision Plan of America for small business group vision insurance. They offer insurance for businesses with as few as two employees. Spectera offers vision insurance to businesses, and you can look up in-network providers online before enrolling.

Look for providers that offer dental and vision insurance

Offering both dental and vision insurance in one package is a great draw for a company. Many insurance providers can give you dental and vision insurance quotes and compare that quote with the cost for only vision insurance. If the cost for individual vision insurance isn't much less than a combination package, offer employees both benefits.

I recommend: Get a vision and dental plan from Travelers Medical Wellness for discounts on both services. The Dutcher Insurance Agency offers a self-funded vision and dental plan for small and large businesses.

Check out individual vision plans if you're self-employed

Vision insurance for individuals who are self-employed is readily available at affordable prices. If your work requires long hours at a computer or gives your eyes any sort of optical strain, buying individual vision insurance is a good idea.

I recommend: Healthinsurancesavings.com offers a free quote based on your location. Just type in your zip code and get connected. Most Choice will search vision insurance plans for you and get you the best quotes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Vision care coverage can always be an option for your employees rather than mandatory coverage. This benefits both employees who need coverage, and those who don't wear corrective lenses who might not need coverage.

Vision insurance is only valuable if employees understand their benefit and take full advantage of the coverage it offers. Unfortunately, some people fail to fully utilize their vision insurance because they don't understand the terminology that is used to explain the benefit. It is important for all employees and employers to become familiar with the vision insurance terms found in written benefit materials.

Here are some of the vision insurance terms that often appear in employee benefit materials:

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VSP

VSP means 'vision service plan.' VSP can refer to any type of vision coverage. However, VSP is also the name of an actual group of vision insurance companies.

I recommend: You can find a basic overview of vision insurance at DocShop.com.

Network

A vision insurance network is a group of eye care practitioners, laboratories and eye wear and/or contact lens manufacturers that are contracted with vision insurance plans. They have agreed to provide their services to plan members for reduced fees. They are called 'in-network' providers.

I recommend: To read more about vision care networks visit the All About Vision website.

Covered member

A covered member is the individual whose employer provides the vision insurance coverage. A covered member is also sometimes called the primary subscriber, the insured or the plan enrollee. The covered member's dependents are called enrolled members.

I recommend: Vision insurance companies often provide a special online portal for their covered members. For example, check out the Superior Vision member portal.

Indemnity plan

Indemnity vision insurance coverage is a very flexible type of coverage. There is no defined provider network and members can visit any licensed eye care practitioner they wish. Indemnity vision coverage is often added to health or dental coverage.

I recommend: For more information about indemnity vision coverage, visit Cigna.com.

Co-pay

The co-payment or 'co-pay' is a fixed amount that members must pay every time they receive services from a network provider of vision services. A co-pay is usually paid at the time you receive an eye exam or purchase glasses or contact lenses. Co-pays only apply when purchasing in-network services or materials.

I recommend: To see an example of how vision insurance co-pays are applied to in-network benefits, study the chart at Direct Health and Life Insurance of Nevada.

Discount vision plan

A discount vision plan provides an eye care plan at a low fixed rate in exchange for an annual premium or membership fee. The services received from eye care professionals will always be discounted. Any expenses that are not spelled out in the plan are not covered and must be paid out of pocket.

I recommend: Through the Careington Group Plans website, employers can get group discount plans with as few as three participating employees. Get more information on discount vision plans at EyeBenefits.