Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Contact Lenses

Find the Right
Vision Plan for You

Your eyes are unique. So are our vision plans.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) makes it easy to see the world clearer. Our new Blue 20/20 vision plans have a variety of options whether you just want routine visits to your eye doctor or have more serious vision needs.

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Looking for a different Blue Cross NC plan? You can shop all our plans here.

Other Plans

Our Vision Plans

We offer two vision plans to fit your budget or vision needs. The plans are outlined below for all in-network vision care services.

Blue 20/20 Exam Plan

Get routine vision care at our most affordable rate:

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^{$ 7 .13}

Per Member, Per Month

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Routine Vision Exams
$0 copay in-network
$39 out-of-network

Frames
No allowance
35% discount on complete set of glasses

Lenses
No lens benefit
35% discount on complete set of glasses
Progressive lenses included in 35% discount

Contact Lenses
15% off retail on conventional contact lenses
No discount on disposable lenses

Non-Prescription Glasses/Sunglasses
20% discount

LASIK or PYK
15% off retail or 5% off promotional price

Retinal Imaging
Discounted up to $39

Blue 20/20 Exam Plus Plan

Get comprehensive vision coverage at an affordable rate:

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^{$ 16 .36}

Per Member, Per Month

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Routine Vision Exams
$0 copay in-network
$39 out-of-network

Frames
$150 allowance
20% discount on remaining balance

Lenses¹
$25 copay on standard plastic lenses
$25 copay plus $65 on progressive lenses
Member costs on premium progressive lenses are dependent on tiers²

Contact Lenses¹
$150 allowance and 15% discount on remaining cost for lenses
$150 allowance on disposable lenses

Non-Prescription Glasses/Sunglasses
20% discount

LASIK or PYK
15% off retail or 5% off promotional price

Retinal Imaging
Discounted up to $39

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You have the option to visit any eye doctor you want. However, these plan benefits are for in-network services only. You may have additional costs or fees for choosing an out-of-network provider.​

You can see these out-of-network costs in our Vision Plan Brochure.

Why are vision exams important?

Going to the eye doctor can help more than just your eyes. Eye exams are an easy way to detect:³

• Brain tumors
• Cancers
• Cataracts
• Diabetes
• Glaucoma
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Macular degeneration

What to expect at a routine vision exam?

Every doctor is different when it comes to treating their patients. But there are some things that you should expect at every routine vision exam. Your doctor may:

• Ask you questions about your vision history, medical history and your family's vision
• Test to see if you need corrective lenses or have poor vision
• See how your eyes react to light
• Test your field of vision and how well you can see
• Check for color blindness
• Screen your eyes for glaucoma
• Perform eye dilation

Older patients may have more detailed routine eye exams. Talk to your eye doctor if you're having trouble with your eyes before your exam starts to ensure you get the most accurate treatment.

Quality Partners for Quality Eye Care

We partner with some of the nation's largest retailers to give you the easiest access to high-quality, affordable eye care. Our large network – powered by EyeMed – offers you many eye doctors to choose from who carry some of the best brands of eye wear, contact lenses and sunglasses – all covered under your plan. Our Find a Doctor tool makes it convenient to find a doctor in-network and that you like. Here are just some of our eye care partners:

It's easy to apply for a vision insurance plan online.

1. ClickApply Now below
2. Enter some information about yourself
3. Submit your application​

Apply Now

Already shopping for a Blue Cross NC health plan? Add a vision plan to your health plan application before submitting.

Need more help?

1. Read our Frequently Asked Questions below
2. Call us at 1-800-324-4973, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Benefits of Buying a Blue Cross NC Vision Plan

Access to both private practice and retail eye
doctors offering personalized, quality care

100% preventive care coverage
with routine vision exams

Access to top-rated
eye care partners – like EyeMed

Over 85 years of experience
providing insurance in North Carolina

Coverage around the state,
country and world

Online tools that make it easy
to manage your plan and your health

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use my vision insurance?

Using your Vision Insurance is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Choose an in-network eye doctor from our Find a Doctor tool.
2. Schedule your visit for a routine eye exam.
3. Go in for your appointment and give them your ID Card. We'll handle the rest!

How do I find an in-network doctor?

We have an easy-to-use Find a Doctor tool that lets you search for an in-network eye doctor. You can choose an eye doctor nearest you or who offers the services you want. You can also check to see if your current eye doctor is in our provider network.

How do I submit a claim?

We submit claims for you when you visit an in-network eye doctor. But if you go to an out-of-network eye doctor, you'll be responsible for filing your own claims and may have to pay a higher fee for services.

Can I use my insurance benefits online?

Yes! You can use your insurance information at many online eye care centers. You can shop at:

• LensCrafters
• Target Optical
• Glasses.com
• ContactsDirect
• Ray-Ban

You can see a full list of network providers once you become a member at blue2020nc.com.

Does my vision insurance cover medical services like pink eye?

No. Vision insurance plans are only for diagnosing and treating vision related problems. If you visit your eye doctor for a medical issue, like pink eye, dry eye, or eye surgery, you would use your regular health insurance as these are considered medical services.

How often should I visit the eye doctor?

You should visit the eye doctor each year – especially if you have vision loss or need corrective lenses. It can be hard to notice subtle changes to your vision, so it's important to visit your doctor each year. If you have an eye disease or progressive vision issue, your doctor may require you to have more frequent visits.

Why should I go to the eye doctor if I don't need glasses or contacts?

Your eye health is directly related to your overall health. Going to the eye doctor can help detect serious diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, or glaucoma. Your eye doctor can also test for nerve or vision damage from diseases or spending too much time looking at a computer screen (blue light damage). And they can detect vision loss quicker if you see your eye doctor for regular annual visits.

What is blue light and how can it affect my eyes?

Blue light is emitted from our electronic devices like computer screens, cell phones, TVs, etc. And our eyes are not very good at blocking out blue light from reaching the sensitive parts of our eyes – like the retina. This means, too much blue light exposure can lead to eye strain, vision loss, or macular degeneration. There are a few things you can do to help with your blue light exposure. You can add a blue light filtering tint to any of your prescription lenses. If you're buying a full set of frames and lenses, you can get 40% off of your prescription lenses with blue light filtering.

Will my eye doctor dilate my eyes?

Maybe. Some eye doctors will dilate your eyes at every annual exam. But others do not. If you are concerned about eye dilation, call your eye doctor ahead of your appointment to ask if this is common practice for them. You should plan ahead if you're going to have eye dilation. Many eye doctors will not let you drive for an hour or more after your eyes are dilated. You may also need to wear protective sunglasses (provided by the doctor) until your dilation wears off.

Can I go to a private eye doctor or do I have to choose a retail center?

You can go to any in-network eye doctor that you want. If you prefer to go to a larger retail center, like Target, that's fine. But we do have a wide network of private practice eye doctors. You'll get the same quality of care from both, but you might find more frames and lens options at a private practice provider.

Can I change my vision plan if I need to?

You can only change your plan under certain circumstances. During the year, you can only change your vision plan if you have a qualifying life event like a marriage, divorce, or birth. But you can change to a new plan during our yearly open enrollment period for new plans starting on January 1^st.

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• 1

  Plans cover an allowance on either contact lenses or traditional glasses lenses. You must choose to use your benefit on one or the other. Your plan does not cover an allowance on both.

• 2

  Premium progressive lens costs are based on tier.

  • Tier 1: $25 copay, plus $85
  • Tier 2: $25 copay, plus $95
  • Tier 3: $25 copay, plus $110
  • Tier 4: $90 copay plus 80% of retail less than $120 allowance

• INDVIS-EXAM, 6/21 and INDVIS EP, 6/21

• EyeMed is an independent company that is solely responsible for the services it provides. It does not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.

• All other marks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

• Blue Cross NC does not recommend, endorse, warrant or guarantee any specific vendor, product or service available under or through third parties.

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Source: https://www.bluecrossnc.com/shop-plans/vision-insurance-plans

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