Comparing VSP Covered California vision insurance to other plans on the market.
Covered California has struck a deal with VSP vision insurance plans to offer Covered California members vision insurance. The VSP vision insurance plan is only available to Covered California members. For the bare essentials of vision coverage, the VSP – Covered California plan is very competitive when compared to other insurance plans on the market. However, there are some eye wear options that don’t have specific copayment amounts and could cost the plan member more in the long run.
Is VSP Covered California plan competitive?
Similar to dental, it can be difficult to make side by side comparisons between different plans and different companies. There no standard coverage descriptions leaving a consumer to scratch their head when attempting to make comparisons. For example, one plan may offer the benefit of anti-glare coating, but another plan calls it anti-reflective. Some plans will list Custom and Premium Progressive lenses as a benefit without any definition. How much better are the “Premium Progressive” lenses over the standard no-line bifocals?
Comparing vision plans can be difficult
In general, the greater the detail of the plan outline will translate into better consumer knowledge about their prospective out-of-pocket costs. For instance, the vision plans will either provide a range or maximum copayment for a specific benefit. For Transition photochromic lenses that range might be between $70 and $82. The consumer knows that under that plan they will pay no more than the highest amount listed for the photochromic benefit. But if the plan doesn’t list a particular benefit, compared to other plans, the consumer might pay the full retail cost.
I like when the plans either say Not Covered or give a range of prices for the benefit. Unfortunately, some of the marketing literature will only list one dollar figure as an average price, when in reality there is a price range for the covered benefit. You really have to look at the detailed plan outline to get the best understanding of what the plan covers and associated costs for different benefits. Plan outlines at end of post.
I prepared a comparison between the Covered California VSP insurance plan, two VSP plans offered to individuals and families off the exchange, and two Blue Shield vision insurance plans. The comparison and premium rates were derived from the latest documents for the 2016 calendar year. All the copayments are for in-network optometrists or eye wear providers. Where no price was given for a particular benefit means I could not find the benefit and respective price listed in the literature I consulted.
| 2016 Vision Plan Comparison | VSP CoveredCA | VSP | VSP | Blue Shield | Blue Shield |
| Plan | VSP-120 | Base | Easy Option | Ultimate 15/25/150 | Ultimate 15/25/120 |
| Eye Exam | $15 | $15 | $15 | $15 | $15 |
| Frame | 8* | $25 | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Single Vision Lenses | $25 | $0 | $0 | ||
| Frame Allowance | $120 | $150 | $230 | $150 | $120 |
| Progressive lenses no-line bifocal | $55 – $175 | $55 | $55 – $175 | Up to $140 | Not Covered |
| Anti-glare coating | $69 | $41 – $85 | $41 – $85 | Up to $50 | Not Covered |
| Transition photochromic | $70 – $82 | $70 – $82 | $70 – $82 | $115 – $200 | Not Covered |
| Scratch resistant coating | $31 – $35 | $17 – $33 | |||
| Tinted lenses | $15 – $17 | $15 – $17 | |||
| UV protection | $16 | $16 | |||
| Impact Resistance Lenses | $31 | $31 | $31 -$35 | ||
| California Monthly Premiums | |||||
| Single Person | $15.16 | $20.33 | $30.98 | $21.00 | $14.92 |
| Two People | $28.83 | $39.66 | $58.88 | ||
| Family | $39.41 | $54.75 | $80.48 |
Frame allowance
It looks like the biggest driver of the monthly premium is the amount of the frame allowance offered by the plan. The Covered California VSP plan at $15.16 per month is only $0.24 more than Blue Shield Ultimate 15/25/120. Both have a frame allowance of $120. While Blue Shield vision plans will only charge a family for a maximum of three children, limiting the monthly premium for larger families, the Covered California VSP plan as a fixed family rate which is potentially much lower. Of course, the Covered California VSP vision insurance is only available to individuals and families who purchased their health insurance through Covered California.
Off-Exchange plans
The off-exchange VSP Base plan and Blue Shield Ultimate 15/25/150 are closely priced to one another. Each plan offers a $150 frame allowance. All plans allow you to substitute contact lenses in lieu of frames and lenses. The VSP Easy Option offers a $230 frame allowance, $80 more than the base plan, but you’ll pay an additional $120 in premiums for the year for an individual.
Vision insurance enrollment does not have set enrollment dates. You can enroll in a plan at any time. You can get current quotes for the VSP off-exchange plans by visiting this link-
VSP Individual and Family Base and Easy Option Plan Quotes and Enrollment
You can get current quotes for the Blue Shield vision insurance by visiting this link.
Blue Shield of California Vision, Dental and Health Quotes and Enrollment
Blue Shield will also display health insurance quotes, but just click on the Vision tab at the top of page after you’ve entered your zip code, family members and their ages.
Kevin Knauss VSP Broker Number VSPCA00121
Covered California VSP enrollment
If you are a Covered California member, you can visit the following link to get current premium rates for the special VSP plan offering. If you decide to enroll, and you have found this blog post to be helpful, you may include my VSP agent number of VSPCA00121 in the For Brokers Only field. This allows me, as you agent, to assist you with issues that might arise with the VSP insurance plan. They also pay me a small commission for being your agent.
Covered California VSP Vision Insurance Plan Quote and Enrollment
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