Vision Care Misconceptions 4: All Vision Coverage is the Same
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vision Benefits Provider
Welcome to the fourth and final article in our series on common vision care misconceptions among health plans. So far, we’ve covered three inaccuracies when it comes to vision coverage: members don’t consider vision benefits when choosing a plan, vision benefits don’t help you reduce your medical spend, and vision benefits don’t impact member satisfaction. We’ve saved the biggest misconception for last. Read on to discover why all vision coverage is not the same, and why that thinking can cost you members and market share.
Cost-effective is often corporate speak for “least expensive.” Unfortunately, choosing your Medicare Advantage (MA) vision benefits administrator simply because they offer the least expensive option is a shortsighted approach to helping your MA plans stand out in the market. This strategy ignores two important facts:
- MA beneficiaries value vision benefits in their MA plans nearly as highly as they value lower out-of-pocket costs.
- Less expensive vendors may not offer the plan features consumers want including access to their preferred provider(s) and reasonable appointment availability.
What’s the Difference Between Vision Carriers?
In the 2025 Medicare Vision Insights Report from VSP® Vision Care, Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA) members identified their top priorities for vision coverage. When asked to rank vision plan benefits in order, access, care, and available plan benefits were among several factors that rose to the top in terms of importance to members.
Offering the benefits members want most is essential for attracting and retaining members. As shown in the graphic below, the annual eye exam, prescription eyewear allowance, and specialized lenses allowance were the three most important benefits for members.
Network is another critical element for accommodating member needs. Convenience is key, and a carrier must have the network and providers to accommodate the factors members identify as most important, as shown below. For example, top carriers like VSP take great pains to ensure that there is at least one provider within 10 miles of members in urban/suburban areas and at least one provider within 25 miles in rural settings.
Network Size is Only Part of the Picture
A vision network with a lot of eye doctors is important. But size isn’t everything. Quality of care is vital to better member outcomes, superior experiences, and greater satisfaction. Fortunately, with top carriers, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for quantity, or vice versa.
Look for carriers with a large network that screen their providers and hold them to the highest standards, like those set forth by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Better eye care supports better outcomes, which leaves you with healthier, happier members. And when member health improves, so do HEDIS scores, Star Ratings, and market share.
Turning Vision Carrier Differences into Health Plan Advantages
When it comes to vision coverage, cost is obviously a consideration, but it’s not the only one that matters to your members1. Network size and quality, easy access to care, medical/vision integration, customizable plans, and data security are all important to members when choosing an MA plan1.
It’s essential to re-evaluate your vision provider network annually to ensure it aligns with, and caters to, these priorities. Not all vision carriers are equipped to do so. Finding one that does can provide a better member experience and help your MA plans stand out in the market.
Let’s Turn Insights into Action
We’re here to support you. As the only national not-for-profit vision company, VSP® Vision Care looks at benefits through a different lens. We're focused on maximizing vision benefits for our partners and your members. It all comes together with our single-source solution for better vision care—custom plans, improved value, and healthier members.
If you have questions or need further assistance, we’re just a conversation away.
Schedule a free consultation and learn how we can adapt these insights for your Medicare Advantage plans.
1 2025 VSP Medicare Vision Insights Report