Can You Use Vision Insurance for Contacts and Glasses in the Same Year?

If you wear both glasses and contact lenses, you may wonder whether your vision plan will help pay for both during the same benefit year. Can you use vision insurance for contacts and glasses in the same year? The answer depends on your specific vision insurance plan. Some plans provide an allowance that can be used toward either frames or contact lenses during a benefit period, while others may structure these benefits differently.

Understanding your plan's allowances, copays, eye exam benefits, frame benefits, lens coverage, and contact lens options before you make a purchase can help you get more value from your vision insurance.

Can You Use Vision Insurance for Contacts and Glasses in the Same Year?

Possibly—but don't assume your plan will provide a full benefit for both.

Many vision plans structure eyewear benefits so members choose between a frame benefit and a contact lens benefit during a particular benefit period. Other plans may have different rules or additional options.

For example, your plan could provide an allowance toward contact lenses instead of an allowance toward eyeglass frames. If you choose contacts, you may still be able to purchase glasses, but you could be responsible for more of the cost yourself.

Because benefits vary, always review your plan's specific coverage before ordering glasses or contacts.

Visit our Vision Insurance page to learn more about individual and family vision coverage.

How Do Vision Insurance Allowances Work?

An allowance is generally a set dollar amount your vision plan provides toward an eligible product or service according to the terms of the plan.

Depending on your coverage, you may have allowances for:

• Eyeglass frames

• Contact lenses

• Certain lens options

• Other eligible vision products

If the item you select costs more than your available allowance, you may be responsible for the remaining amount.

This is why it's important to know your allowance before shopping for new glasses or contacts.

What About the Eye Exam?

Routine eye exams are an important part of vision coverage.

Depending on your plan, you may receive an eye exam benefit subject to a specified copay or other cost-sharing requirement.

During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye care professional can:

• Check your visual acuity

• Update your prescription

• Evaluate your eye health

• Determine whether your current glasses or contacts are still appropriate

• Discuss changes you've noticed in your vision

Your routine exam benefit may be separate from your eyewear allowance, but plan structures vary.

Check your policy to determine how frequently exams are covered and what copay may apply.

How Do Copays Work With Vision Insurance?

Some vision insurance plans require a copay for certain services or materials.

You might have one copay for your routine eye exam and another for eyeglass lenses, depending on the plan.

Your final out-of-pocket cost can also depend on:

• The provider you choose

• Your frame selection

• Your lens type

• Lens enhancements

• Your contact lens selection

• Your plan's allowances

• How frequently benefits are available

When comparing vision insurance, don't look only at the monthly premium. Review the copays and allowances too.

How Does the Frame Benefit Work?

If your plan includes a frame allowance, it may contribute up to a specified amount toward eligible eyeglass frames.

If you select frames that cost more than the allowance, you'll generally be responsible for the additional amount, subject to the terms of your plan.

Some plans may also provide discounts on amounts above the allowance when you use participating providers.

Before choosing your frames, ask your provider to explain how your insurance benefit will apply.

Are Eyeglass Lenses Covered?

Vision plans may provide benefits for standard prescription lenses, although copays and coverage vary.

Depending on the plan, benefits may be available for:

• Single-vision lenses

• Bifocal lenses

• Trifocal lenses

• Other eligible prescription lenses

Optional upgrades or enhancements may involve additional costs.

These could include certain:

• Progressive lenses

• Anti-reflective coatings

• Photochromic lenses

• Specialty lens materials

• Other lens enhancements

Check your plan documents or ask your eye care provider for an estimate before ordering your glasses.

How Do Contact Lens Benefits Work?

If you prefer contact lenses, your vision plan may provide an allowance toward eligible contacts.

The amount and frequency of the benefit depend on the specific plan.

Contact lens expenses can include more than the contacts themselves. Depending on your needs and plan, there may also be charges associated with a contact lens fitting or evaluation.

Before ordering contacts, check:

• Your contact lens allowance

• How frequently the benefit is available

• Whether a fitting or evaluation benefit is included

• Which providers participate in the network

• Whether choosing contacts affects your frame benefit

Knowing these details beforehand can prevent an unpleasant surprise at checkout.

Can You Still Buy Glasses If You Use Your Contact Lens Benefit?

Yes, you can still purchase glasses. The bigger question is how much your vision plan will contribute toward them after you've used your contact lens benefit.

If your plan requires you to choose between the contact lens allowance and the frame allowance during the same benefit period, you may need to pay more of the cost of your glasses yourself.

That's why people who regularly wear both contacts and glasses should look carefully at this feature when comparing vision plans.

Don't Forget About the Provider Network

Just like dental insurance, vision plans may have participating provider networks.

Your benefits and out-of-pocket costs can differ depending on whether you use an in-network or out-of-network provider.

Before scheduling an appointment or ordering eyewear, check whether:

• Your optometrist participates

• Your preferred optical retailer participates

• Your benefits differ outside the network

• Your plan has participating providers conveniently located near you

Available plans and networks can also vary by location. Visit our States We Serve page to learn more about insurance options available where you live.

What If You Need Dental Coverage Too?

If you're purchasing vision insurance on your own, it can also be a good time to review your dental coverage.

Individual dental plans may provide benefits for preventive care and other covered services, depending on the policy.

Visit our Dental Insurance page to learn more about individual and family dental insurance options.

What Should You Compare Before Choosing Vision Insurance?

If you wear contacts, glasses, or both, review the details of the plan before enrolling.

Consider:

• Monthly premium

• Routine eye exam benefits

• Eye exam copay

• Frame allowance

• Lens benefits

• Lens copays

• Contact lens allowance

• Contact lens fitting benefits

• Benefit frequency

• Provider network

• Whether contacts and frames share the same benefit

The best plan isn't necessarily the one with the lowest premium. It's the one whose benefits fit the way you actually use vision care.

Ready to Compare Vision Insurance?

If you're trying to decide which vision plan fits your needs, understanding the details before enrolling can make the decision much easier.

As a licensed independent insurance agent, I can help you compare available dental and vision insurance options and understand important plan benefits before you enroll.

Whether you wear glasses, contacts, or both, we can help you explore coverage options available in your area.

Get a Quote today to compare dental and vision insurance plans.