Aetna vision insurance: 5 tips for getting the most out of your vision benefits

What is Aetna?

Aetna is a major health care company owned by CVS Health. With over 110,000 in-network doctors and retailers, Aetna provides insurance plans and services to more than 39 million people. You can enroll in an Aetna Vision plan as an individual, employee, or added on to an Aetna Dental Direct plan. 

Aetna Vision Preferred plans provide vision benefits to members so they can save on eye exams, glasses, contacts and more. In-network providers include top retail chains Glasses.com, Pearle Vision, LensCrafters, Ray-Ban, Target Optical and many others.

Is Aetna Vision the same as EyeMed?

Providers in the Aetna Vision network are contracted through EyeMed Vision Care, LLC, a major vision benefits company with an extensive network of eye care providers. However, the two companies are independent contractors, and neither is owned by the other.

Participating providers in the Aetna Vision network are credentialed by EyeMed and held to EyeMed’s credentialing requirements. 

5 ways to get the most from your Aetna Vision benefits

If you have an individual or family plan through Aetna Vision Preferred or you’ve enrolled in a vision plan offered by your employer, here are 5 tips for getting the most from your vision benefits.

1. Know everything your vision plan covers

Depending on your plan, Aetna Vision Preferred vision insurance generally includes:* 

• One eye exam per year with $0 co-pay 

• Standard prescription eyeglass lenses — at a member cost of $0 to $25 — with a frames allowance ranging from $130 to $300 

• OR a contact lens allowance from $130 to $150 per calendar year

• Eyeglass lens extras typically require an additional co-pay. For example: Lenses with an anti-reflective coating or made with an above-standard material are usually less than a $100 co-pay. Progressive lenses cost anywhere from $0 to $135

That means if you use your Aetna Vision plan to help pay for prescription contact lenses and want to also buy a pair of eyeglass lenses during the same 12-month period, your allowance will only cover the first type of eyewear purchased (the contacts).

After you enroll in an Aetna Vision Preferred plan, you’ll receive a welcome packet in the mail. The packet includes your member ID card, information about your plan and a list of local in-network providers. Once you have your member ID, you can use your ID number (or your Social Security number) to register an account on the Aetna Vision website.

After you create your account, you can log in and access your vision plan documents online. Review them carefully to ensure you get the most out of your benefits.

*Coverage depends on your individual plan. Please see your vision insurance member documents to determine your specific benefits.

SEE ALSO: What is covered by vision insurance?

2. Download the Aetna Health app  

When you download the Aetna Health app from the App Store or Google Play, you’ll have access to your Aetna Vision Preferred plan documents on your mobile device. 

You can also use the app to view your member ID cards, find and connect with in-network doctors and retailers, set alerts for eye exam appointments, save your prescription information, and more.

3. Schedule your annual eye exam

Aetna Vision Preferred plans cover one eye exam per year, and it’s important to take advantage of it. Make an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. The eye doctor will check your vision and let you know if you need glasses, contacts or a new prescription.

Your doctor will also examine your eyes, checking their overall health and looking for symptoms of eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. 

In addition to eye health and vision issues, an eye exam can reveal signs of other medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Symptoms of an aneurysm, stroke or brain tumor, along with numerous other medical conditions, may also be detected during an eye exam.

SEE RELATED: 8 things your eyes can reveal about your health

4. Use in-network providers

Just like with other health insurance plans, using an Aetna Vision Preferred in-network provider for  your eye care will usually cost less than using one that’s out-of-network. To find an eye doctor or retailer in your plan’s network, search by zip code on Aetna’s provider locator.

5. Save more with discounts and coupons

Your Aetna Vision Preferred plan benefits don’t stop with traditional co-pays and allowances on eye exams, glasses and contact lenses. You can also receive discounts and coupon offers when you use an in-network provider or retailer. 

Depending on your plan, discounts may include:

• Up to 40% off extra pairs of prescription glasses and sunglasses

• Discounts on laser correction surgery

• Discounts on any balance over your vision plan frames or contacts allowance

• Discounts on hearing exams and hearing aids

• Up to 20% off non-covered items such as non-prescription sunglasses and anti-reflective coatings on lenses

Let’s say you’re taking a ski or beach vacation and need a new pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays that can injure your eyes. With the Aetna Vision discounts you have available, you may be able to afford a pair of quality prescription sunglasses that would otherwise be out of your price range. 

To get the most from your vision benefits, log in to your Aetna account for access to coupons and discounts. Then make sure you apply those savings when you use an in-network eye doctor or retailer.

Make the most of all your Aetna Vision benefits

Once you know what your plan covers, you can get the most from your Aetna Vision benefits. Stay on top of your eye health needs with routine eye exams and save money on glasses and contact lenses.

READ MORE: Vision insurance FAQs

Page published on Wednesday, January 19, 2022