Does vision insurance cover contacts? All your contacts questions answered

Have you found yourself squinting lately? Or maybe you keep losing your trusty eyeglasses all over the house (even your second pair you can get as a benefit with vision insurance!)? You might be thinking it’s time for a change — and contacts have been on your mind lately.  

You’ve come to the right place. We get it: Contacts can sometimes have a mysterious reputation. How do they work? Why are my friends putting their contacts in a plastic case each night? (Hint: it’s a crucial part of contacts maintenance.) What are the benefits of contacts? Say goodbye to the blur — and consider all your contacts questions answered. 

What are contact lenses?  

Let’s do a little housekeeping before we get into the less-than-obvious stuff: Contact lenses are clear, thin plastic disks you wear on the surface of your eye to improve your vision. The alternative to eyeglasses, contacts correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and other vision problems. 

Types of contact lenses 

 
There are a few different kinds of contact lenses available — soft, hard, disposable, and more! Keep reading to find out which one might be right for you. 

Soft contact lenses 

Soft contact lenses are pretty comfortable to wear. They generally stay in place better and are easier to adjust than hard contact lenses. Wearing soft contact lenses does come with slight risks, though: they have a higher rate of infection (if worn incorrectly) and could be more expensive given they require more frequent replacements.  

Disposable contacts: are designed to be worn for a short time. They’re great for people concerned about eye infections and who suffer from allergies. They require minimal cleaning and maintenance, making these a great option for those always on the go. 

Daily wear contacts: are intended to be worn during the day and removed and cleaned at night. (In other words, don’t sleep with them in!) They can also be reused until their marked discard date.  

Extended wear contacts: can be worn multiple days and nights in a row before needing to clean them. (Which should happen about once a week.)  

Toric contacts: are for those with astigmatism. Toric contacts can be used for daily or extended wear, depending on the kind you prefer. 

Colored contacts: are daily or extended wear contacts that change the color of your eye. (Always wanted green eyes? Now’s your chance!)  

Cosmetic contacts: change the look of your eye but do not correct your vision. Cosmetic contacts are a fun option for Halloween or, you know, a Monday on Zoom. Just make sure they are from an eyecare professional and FDA-approved! 

Hard contact lenses  

Hard contact lenses are also known as gas-permeable lenses, made from plastics combined with other materials (like silicone) that allow oxygen to pass through the lens. Many people choose hard contact lenses because they are extremely durable and easy to care for. Plus, they do not dehydrate like soft contact lenses do, and correct astigmatism. However, hard contact lenses do require consistent wear to feel comfortable, so keep that in mind if you’re considering contacts. 

Why choose contact lenses over glasses?  

If you’ve spent years wearing specs (or you just found out you need some form of vision correction), contacts can be an ideal alternative. How ideal, exactly?  

• Contacts give you more natural vision than glasses.  

• Contacts move with your eye.  

• Nothing blocks what you see with contacts (no more stubborn frames in the way!).  

• Contacts don’t fog up or get wet when it’s cold or rainy.  

• Contacts don’t get in the way when you play sports.  

No matter what eyewear you choose, it mostly comes down to personal preference. However, if there’s anyone that should not wear contact lenses, it’s those with:  

• Frequent eye infections 

• Severe allergies  

• Dry eye  

• A dusty or dirty work environment  

But talk with your eye doctor to determine the best kind of eyewear for your situation. If you’re an athlete, contacts might be the obvious choice — or if you’re always on the go, wearing low-maintenance eyeglasses won’t slow you down.  

And speaking of maintenance, contacts require a lot more care than eyeglasses — and it’s not just a suggestion you can ignore on the side of the box. You can get serious eye infections if you don’t wash your hands before handling your contacts. But as long as you’re aware and develop a contacts care routine, you’re in the clear. Soon enough, it’ll become second nature! 

Does vision insurance cover contacts?  

 
Vision insurance benefits vary by plan, but most cover contacts with a valid prescription and need for corrective eyewear. Some plans even offer both eyeglasses and contacts, so you get the best of both worlds!  

To find out if your vision insurance covers contacts (or both), log in to your account for plan details. If your benefits offer coverage for contacts, you’ll have a plan allowance that will go towards the purchase of contacts. If you exceed your plan allowance, you'll be responsible for paying the overage, just like you would if you purchased a pair of designer frames that exceeded your allowance. (We salute your great taste.)  

And one final tip: don’t use an eyeglasses prescription in place of a contacts prescription. An eyeglasses prescription is different from a contacts prescription — it doesn’t include the diameter and base curve components necessary for a well-fitting lens. You never know when you might need that eyeglasses prescription, especially if you’re a new contacts-wearer!  

The best vision insurance for contact lenses  

The best vision insurance makes it easy to get the services you need at a cost that works for your budget — and comes out cheaper than paying for everything out of pocket.

Many employers offer vision insurance as a benefit, usually at a rate that can be deducted from your paycheck. If you are self-employed or don't have access to employer-sponsored vision insurance, a vision provider like VSP (available through Kasasa Care and KindHealth’s digital portal) is a good option — with premiums at less than $20 a month for an individual, depending on your state and plan. 

With a vision plan from Kasasa Care, the savings can be eye-opening.   

• A comprehensive exam could cost as little as $15, saving you an average of $166.  

• Prescription lenses and frames, depending on the brand you choose, can be a combined $70, saving you an average of $228.  

• An estimated annual savings of $141 on contact lenses. (Nope, you’re not seeing things!) 

So if you’re a contacts-wearer (or still on #TeamEyeglasses, though on the fence), it’s clear that a vision plan can bring you significant savings. But if you’re still unsure vision insurance is worth it for you, read more about that here. 

For those looking to trade their eyeglasses in for something a little less noticeable, contacts may be for you — and you don’t have to break the bank for them. With a vision insurance plan from Kasasa Care and VSP, you don’t even need corrective eyewear to see the savings you’ll receive! (Well, depending on your prescription strength.)