Humana offers a stand alone vision plan that provides basic coverage for most vision needs. It covers an annual exam, frames every two years and lenses every year.
We need to keep our eyes as healthy as possible, for as long as we can. As we age, our visual acuity diminishes and some things we do, such as driving at night, become more difficult. However, the cost of seeing an eye doctor can be prohibitive on a fixed income and can cause seniors to put off making an appointment. That alone is a good reason for finding some form of vision insurance that can help defray some of the expense. Humana offers three different vision plans, one of which is available in most states.
Price Monthly premium | Varies by the state in which you reside |
Deductible Do you have one? | None |
Copay Do you pay one? | Yes, $0-$25, depending on plan |
Ease of enrollment Ways you can enroll? | Online or by phone |
Access to support Availability to help? | 8:00 AM-9:00 PM EST Mon-Fri by phone ; email and website |
Coverage What services are covered? | Comprehensive eye exam, frames and lenses, or contact lenses |
Limits to coverage Annual maximum payment? | No limits |
Waiting period How long until use? | On the first day of the month following enrollment |
Physician choice Access to current doctor? | Yes, but if current doctor is not in network, you may pay more out of pocket |
Payment Types of payment accepted? | Credit card or automatic withdrawal from checking |
Humana offers vision plans for people of all ages. Vision insurance is a particularly wise investment for all seniors, many of whom are on fixed incomes, to cover an annual eye exam. That exam becomes even more important as you age to protect and correct declining eyesight. It can also identify age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration. All of Humana’s plans offer an annual exam, frames every two years and lenses once in twelve months. Humana’s website has a portal so you can look up your benefits and read about vision health in its article library. However, if you are not computer savvy or if any other issue keeps you offline, this will not be helpful.
Not only does healthy eyesight have a positive influence on your general well-being, but eye exams can identify other health problems that you may not be aware of yet. For example, an eye doctor may find evidence of diabetes or hypertension. Humana’s vision plans become effective on the first day of the month after you enroll, so you can address any eye-related issues right away. You can even continue to see your regular eye doctor if you wish, which is comforting if you are feeling under the weather. Seniors in poor health will not need to search for a new eye doctor, interact with a stranger or deal with new office setup. However, if your doctor is not in the Humana network, your out-of-pocket expenses will be higher, which can be a drawback for those on a fixed income.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line:
Humana is a large company that offers an array of products, from health insurance to Medicare supplement plans, to dental and vision plans. The company has lots of experience and is highly ranked in the industry, as well as with its customers: it has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Humana generally offers at least one vision plan in each state, and its plans tend to be reasonably priced. The copay for an exam is only $10, which is minimal compared to some other companies. Plans generally provide an allowance for frames and lenses, not unlike other companies. You do need to pay any cost above the amount of the allowance. The products Humana offers are a good value and should be considered if you are looking for a way to moderate the cost of good eye health.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the copay? Depending on the plan you choose, your copay will vary but is usually $15-$40.
How and when can I get in touch if I have questions? You can call them at the number on their website, between 8 AM-9 PM EST Mon-Fri. Customer service is not available on weekends.
If I sign up are, there any other benefits offered? Once you sign up, you are eligible for discounts on laser eye surgery.
More Information:
Overview: All vision plans cover an annual eye exam or contact exam, plus frames every two years, and lenses or contacts once per year. There is no annual deductible and no annual benefit maximum.
Package Details: Humana offers plans through three networks: Humana Vision (Humana Insight Network), Vision Care Plan (VCP) and the EyeMed Plan (Optimum, Focus, Advantage, Exam Plus). One of these plans is available in each state that Humana serves. (Humana does not offer a plan in ten states, plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.) Beyond that, depending on the state in which you live, there is some variance in premiums, but similar plans will cover the same things.
Other Services: Customers are eligible for discounts on laser eye surgery.
Contract Details: A non-refundable $35 enrollment fee is required when you enroll in a Humana plan. The plan is for one year, but you can pay the premium in 12 monthly installments. If you want to cancel and you pay by automatic deductions either through a credit card or your checking account, you must notify the company at least five days before the next billing cycle begins. If you pay by coupon, simply stop sending payments and coverage will cease.
Warranty: You can cancel your plan within ten days from your date of enrollment, and your entire premium will be refunded. However, the $35 enrollment fee will not be refunded.
Accreditations: Humana is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has received an A+ rating on the BBB website. The company has received kudos from several organizations. For example, Humana was recognized for six consecutive years by Military Times as ‘Best for Vets.’ Also, by DiversityInc. as a Top 25 Noteworthy Company due to the enhancements Humana has made in the areas of inclusion and diversity. The company is ranked 73rd in Fortune 500 rankings.
Company Details: Humana was founded in 1961 by David A. Jones, Sr., as a nursing home company called Extendicare. The company divested the nursing home business and moved into the hospital business in 1972. The company name was changed to Humana in 1974. In the 1980s, Humana moved into the health insurance business and divested its hospital business. In 2008, Fortune Magazine named Humana one of the top five “most admired healthcare companies in the U.S." It is currently the third largest health insurer in the United States, with over 13 million customers nationwide.
Humana, Inc.
500 West Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202
502-580-1000
6 min read
Sept. 20, 2019
