Davis Vision: Comprehensive vision insurance

What is Davis Vision?

Davis Vision is a leading vision care provider from Versant Health, offering a wide array of vision care products and services. The Davis Vision Plan includes annual comprehensive eye exams, vision correction and more, including discounts on refractive surgery like LASIK.

Davis Vision insurance plans include access to more than 104,000 in- and out-of-network independent eye care professionals and eye care clinics. Nationwide practices like Visionworks, Costco, For Eyes, Sam’s Club and Walmart are also covered. 

Davis Vision insurance plans also cover eyewear from four of the top five eyewear retailers, allowing you to find quality lenses and frames at a low cost. They even allow you to shop online for prescription eyewear.

For those with special concerns, such as low vision, Davis Vision offers plan options that will help cover associated costs.

Davis Vision’s plan includes both in-network benefits and out-of-network benefits. Their plans offer the option to cover yourself, or also your spouse/domestic partner and your children (including the children of your domestic partner).

What does Davis Vision cover?

Davis Vision covers all the basics of a vision insurance plan. This includes:

Comprehensive eye exams

An in-network routine eye exam is included, and there is no copay required. The exam includes refraction and dilation. Refraction allows your eye doctor to determine whether you need eyeglasses and what the strength of the prescription should be. 

You are probably familiar with the eye chart, with rows of letters. You look through a device called a phoropter, that allows the eye care professional to test different lens strengths. You will also get a dilated eye exam so your eye doctor can see your retina and determine the health of the entire eye. Your doctor will look through a slit lamp, shining a bright light into your eye. This test enables detection and diagnosis of conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts and other eye diseases.

You will have your eye pressure tested, to be sure it is within the normal range, and that you do not have glaucoma. If you use an out-of-network optometrist or ophthalmologist, you will have to cover the costs, and then you may be partially reimbursed. 

READ MORE: What tests are part of an eye exam?

Prescription eyeglass lenses and frames 

Every year, you are covered in-network for eyeglass lenses and frames. If you prefer, you are covered for contact lens evaluation, fitting and follow-up care in lieu of eyeglasses. 

Fashion and designer frames in the Davis Vision Frame collection are fully covered. Premier-level frames in the collection require a $25 copay. 

For frames outside the Davis Vision collection but offered by in-network providers, you will be reimbursed for the cost of most frames. 

• For non-Davis Vision collection frames you will be reimbursed starting at $130 for in-network providers, or $180 for Visionworks locations. There will also be a 20% discount on additional costs. 

• For out-of-network providers, you will receive a partial reimbursement of up to $45.

Tinting, scratch-resistant coatings, polycarbonate lenses, and a choice of among single-vision, lined bifocals, trifocals or even specialized lenticular lenses, are also covered. 

Here are some costs of extras for your lenses:

• Ultraviolet coating: $12

• Antireflective coating: from $35 to $60

• Progressive lenses: from $50 to $140 depending on the grade

• High-index lenses: $55

• Polarized lenses: $75

• Plastic photochromic lenses: $54

• A scratch protection plan: $20 for single vision eyeglasses and $40 for multifocal lenses.

There is also a one-year eyeglass breakage warranty for all glasses.

Contact lenses 

Contacts can be chosen in lieu of eyeglasses. If they are medically necessary, they are completely covered in-network. 

• For Davis Collection contact lenses, you will receive either four boxes of disposable lenses, or two boxes of planned replacement lenses.

• Evaluation, fitting and follow-up care for your contact lenses are also covered.

• If you choose out-of-network or lenses that are not in the Davis Collection, you will be covered up to $105 and will receive a 15% discount over that cost, with an in-network provider.

Davis Vision offers discounts on LASIK surgery

The cost of LASIK has gone up in recent years, partly due to advancements in laser technology. The price nationally can range from $995 to $2,900 per eye, with the average cost being $1,700/eye. 

Even with the higher price tag, LASIK remains a popular alternative to glasses and contact lenses. Davis Vision covers LASIK at less than $1,000 per eye. Davis also offers discounts on other refractive surgeries including:

• Custom LASIK

• All-laser LASIK

• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

Davis Vision offers treatment for low vision

Low vision is the term used to describe significant visual impairment that can’t be corrected fully with glasses, contact lenses, medication or eye surgery. Various eye diseases can cause low vision, including glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic eye problems.

Davis vision offers some low vision coverage, which can help to catch this condition early and initiate appropriate treatment. Coverage of low vision treatment includes:

• A low vision evaluation every five years, with a maximum charge of $300. This evaluation will test hand-eye coordination, depth perception, distance vision, visual acuity, contrast perception and lighting requirements for optimum vision. 

• A $600 allowance for low vision aids, with a lifetime maximum of $1,200 covered.

• Follow-up low vision care. This includes a total of four visits over a five-year period, with a cost not exceeding $100 per visit

Other offerings from Davis Vision

Davis Vision provides fitness support, diabetes management and hearing health plans. They also offer 50% off of additional pairs of eyeglasses at Visionworks retail locations nationwide. 

In addition, most participating in-network providers give members a 20% courtesy discount on items not covered, such as a second pair of glasses or sunglasses. Disposable contact lenses are available at a 10% discount.

To locate an in-network provider or learn more details about the Davis Vision plan, you can contact their customer service department or log onto the open enrollment section of the Davis Vision website. 

You can also learn what your different coverage options are and choose the best plan for your needs, as well as the needs of your family. As Davis Vision states, everyone deserves affordable eye care. 

Page published on Tuesday, October 26, 2021