Vision plans

Small Businesses (1 to 100)

Broker Resources

Summary of Benefits  |  Rates  |  Evidence of Coverage  |  Specialty Sales Guide  |  California Plan Information Card (printable ID card)  |  Spanish California Plan Information Card (printable ID card in Spanish)  |  Pediatric Dental and Vision FAQs

Bundling discount - groups save 10% of dental and vision premiums

Give your small business clients a 10% specialty discount! Anytime you add dental and/or vision to a new or existing small business client's medical coverage, a 10% discount will be applied to the dental and/or vision premiums. Learn more.

Network

Our vision plan members have access to the largest network* of ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians with 11,000+ access points in California and 134,000+ access points nationwide. Many providers are conveniently located at retail locations such as LensCrafters and Target; and wholesale or warehouse locations such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Costco. These locations are often open evenings and weekends, making it easier and more convenient for members to purchase frames, lenses, and contacts.

New for 2022

We are introducing a few benefits enhancements to help members maintain good vision health.

Now, standard progressive lenses will be included on plans without premium progressive lenses. This change will be available:

• On marketed & non-marketed vision plans with frame allowance of $120 or lower.
• On vision materials only plan with $120 frame allowance.
• For new groups in 2022 and renewing groups in 2022.

Additionally, elective contact lens allowance will match to the frame allowance, available:

• On vision plans with contact lens benefit.
• On vision plans with frame allowance of $150.
• For new groups in 2022 and renewing groups in 2022.

Blue Shield’s Vision Plus plans cover both elective contact lenses and eyeglasses within the same benefit period. These plans will cover up to $150 for frame allowance and $150 for elective contact lenses along with a standard contact lens fitting and evaluation.

Below are the six Vision Plus plans that include the enhanced benefit:

• Basic Vision Plus 0/0/150/150
• Basic Vision Plus 10/25/150/150
• Preferred Vision Plus 0/0/150/150
• Preferred Vision Plus 10/25/150/150
• Ultimate Vision Plus 0/0/150/150
• Ultimate Vision Plus 10/25/150/150

Standard Progressive lenses (no-line bifocals) will be available on all plans with a $120 Frame Allowance at the same materials copay.

More choice 

Groups may offer more than one vision plan. This flexibility helps employers provide choices to meet the needs of their employees.

Two-year initial rate guarantee

A two-year initial rate guarantee applies to both new and existing medical groups adding a dental or vision plan, and/or life insurance. 

Retinal Imaging

A retinal imaging exam benefit is now available as an option to the comprehensive eye exam. This procedure takes a digital image of the back of the eye to help an optometrist or ophthalmologist find certain diseases and check the health of the eyes without dilation.

• Available with in-network providers only.
• Applies to all vision plans with an eye exam benefit.
• Member will pay an additional $39.00 copayment for this benefit.

Low eye exam copayment on all vision plans

We don’t want anything to stand in the way of getting regular eye exams because annual eye exams play an important role in the early detection of serious health problems including glaucoma, diabetes, and hypertension. That’s why all our vision plans have a $0 or $10 annual eye exam copayment.

Frame allowances are available from $120 and $150

• Includes coverage for progressive lenses, photochromic lenses, and anti-reflective coating.
• Contact Lens Plus plans that cover both eyeglass lenses/frames and contact lenses, including evaluation, fittings, and materials up to $120 during the benefit period.
• All plans cover polycarbonate lenses for dependent children.
• Lenses every 12 or 24 months.
• Compare all our plans side-by-side on the Plan Comparison tool.

Streamlined administration

All of our group plans offer streamlined administration: this means one bill, one renewal, and one point of administration for all of your clients' Blue Shield business. And, your clients can access and manage all of their coverage information through Employer Connection.

Contribution requirements

Standard contribution requirements of 25% with only a 65% participation requirement allow great flexibility for small business employers.

Wellness offers and discounts

Blue Shield offers a wide range of programs that can help members save money and get healthier. In addition to our Discount Vision Program Network, which offers a 20% savings on many vision materials and services, members can get discounts on:

• Laser vision correction surgery discounts† from 15% to 20% with QualSight and NVision Laser Eye Centers.
• Hearing aids - discounts of up to 60% through EPIC, one of the nation's largest networks of hearing-care professionals. Download the EPIC Hearing Aid flier.
• Online eyewear - MESVision Optics delivers cost savings and allows members the convenience of using their benefits to shop online and purchase contact lenses. Readers, sunglasses, and other accessories are also available at low, online prices. See your options.

 

* Available through a contracted vision plan administrator.
†  The network of practitioners and facilities in the discount programs are managed by the external program administrators identified below, including any screening and credentialing of providers. Blue Shield does not review the services provided by discount program providers for medical necessity or efficacy. Nor does Blue Shield make any recommendations, representations, claims, or guarantees regarding the practitioners, their availability, fees, services, or products. Some services offered through the discount program may already be included as part of the Blue Shield health plan covered benefits. Members must access covered services prior to using the discount program. Blue Shield reserves the right to terminate this program at any time without notice. Discount programs administered by or arranged through independent companies: Discount Vision Program – MESVision; LASIK and PRK – Laser Eye Centers, LLC.