To kick off the new year, VSP Vision announced new exclusive individual vision and eyewear insurance plans available for AARP members.
Why AARP members?
Quite simply, the United States’ retiree population is rapidly growing as more Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) reach the age of 65+.
In fact, from 2010 to 2020, this age group saw the largest and fastest growth in any decade since the late 1800s: in 2020, 16.8% (55.8 million) of the country’s population (or 1 in 6 people) accounted for this age group, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Okay … and VSP’s reasoning?
The company has launched AARP Vision Plans from VSP as part of an effort to (according to an announcement), “help improve access to vision care for older adults who may not have access to traditional employer provided plans or are in need of additional coverage.”
The target goal: to provide “affordable, personalized eyecare” for patients and their families who may otherwise be on a fixed budget, according to VSP Vision Care President Kate Renwick-Espinosa.
Gotcha. So tell me about these plans.
Per VSP, four plans with personalized coverage options are available for members, including:
- Monthly or annual payment options
- Full coverage plans start at $15 per month.
- Year-round enrollment (no waiting periods)
- Access to a physician network and retail options
- +41,000 private practice doctors
- 750 Visionworks locations
- Eyeconic online retail options
Let’s get into specifics.
These four plan options include:
- Standard
- Low eye exam copays
- Allowances for frames/contacts ($150)
- Lens enhancement discounts
- Usable in-office, online, or at retail locations
- EasyOptions
- Includes all Standard benefits as well as:
- Offers one of three covered upgrades:
- Progressives
- Light-to-dark tinting
- Higher frame/contact allowances (+$80; $230 in total)
- Offers one of three covered upgrades:
- Includes all Standard benefits as well as:
- EyeHealth Focus
- Includes all Standard benefits as well as:
- $0 eye exam copay
- +$50 frame allowance on featured frames ($200 in total)
- Pay no more than
- $20 for retinal imaging
- $55 for progressives
- $40 for anti-glare coating
- Includes all Standard benefits as well as:
- EyewearOnly 150
- Allowances for frames/contacts
- $10 materials copay
- Lens enhancement discounts
- Usable in-office, online, or at retail locations
How do I know which is best for me?
By signing up for the plans (click here) and answering a few questions about your coverage needs, VSP will generate their top plan recommendations, complete with a monthly cost breakdown for each.
For a comparison look at the plans (and a preview of frame benefits + VSP network doctors in your area), click here.
So when does this launch?
It’s live now! The AARP-accessible vision plans launched on January 2, 2024.