Top Reasons to Add Vision Benefits to Your Employee Benefits Package
Looking for clear reasons to add vision benefits to your benefits package? Vision coverage is a low-cost, high-impact addition that strengthens any employee benefits package. Here’s how a vision insurance plan through DeltaVision® can complement your employer benefits to create a more complete offering. We’ll look at what it costs, what it covers, how easy it is to administer, and why Delta Dental of Washington makes it easy to bundle vision with your dental coverage.
Did you know? You can offer dental and vision coverage without offering medical coverage.
Why Vision Benefits Matter for Employers
Eye exams do more than check your vision.
Eye doctors can help detect early signs of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, and autoimmune conditions before symptoms are obvious.1 Early detection leads to timely treatment, fewer complications, and potentially lower medical claims, all key reasons to add vision benefits to your benefits package.
Clear vision fuels performance.
Excessive screen time at work may lead to blurred vision, light sensitivity, and overworked eyes.2 The right eyewear can help soften glare and harsh brightness, supporting visual comfort during extended screen use. That can mean fewer errors, fewer sick days, and sharper focus. In safety-sensitive or customer-facing positions, corrected vision reduces risk and can improve service quality.
Vision coverage can also advance inclusion.
Affordable access to exams, lenses, frames, and contacts helps employees with refractive errors, low vision, and age-related changes fully participate. A vision insurance plan signals a commitment to equitable access for employees and their families—an important differentiator in a modern employee benefits package.
Cost and ROI: Why Vision Coverage Is Cost-Effective
Total monthly cost to add vision coverage is lower than you might think. DeltaVision coverage can be as low as $4.40 per employee.3 Employers can offer employer-paid options, voluntary plans, or shared-cost models to meet budget goals. The result is high perceived value for a modest investment, similar to the way employer dental benefits deliver value with manageable premiums.
The average monthly cost of vision benefits per employee costs less than a pizza party.4
The ROI is compelling. Eye doctors can help identify signs of health conditions earlier, which may support timely treatment and help avoid more serious health complications.1 Better vision can mean fewer sick days and fewer days when employees are at work but not feeling or performing their best. For hiring and retention, a benefits lineup that includes a vision insurance plan and employer dental benefits signals a comprehensive approach and can reduce turnover-related expenses.
- Customize your plan: choose exam frequency, copays, lens options, and frame and contact lens allowances.
- Select the right network: balance provider choice with cost savings to meet employee needs.
- Others offer dental benefits as a voluntary plan, allowing employees to opt in and pay the full premium themselves while still accessing group pricing and provider networks.
Simplify administration: bundle vision and dental benefits to streamline billing, eligibility, and communications.
What Employees Get: Exams, Glasses, and Contacts
Start with the essentials. Many plans cover an annual eye exam with a low copay. For eyewear, employees typically receive an allowance toward frames or contact lenses, plus covered standard lenses for glasses with modest copays for lens options like anti-glare or light-adaptive lenses.
Recruitment, Satisfaction, and Retention
Stand out with a benefit employees use every year. When candidates compare offers, a well-rounded employee benefits package that includes a vision insurance plan stands out. Employees appreciate benefits they use regularly. Eye exams, glasses, and contacts are common household needs5. When employees can tell they’re saving money on their care, they are more likely to feel supported and become more likely to engage in other wellness programs.
Vision coverage also supports retention, especially for families and aging workforces who may need progressive lenses or frequent prescription updates. Lower out-of-pocket costs reinforce loyalty and reduce the likelihood that your employees might leave for a competitor with a more complete benefits package.
Plan Design, Administration, and Promotion
Make access simple. Choose a plan with a strong network that includes local eye doctors, retail stores, and online options. Coordinating your vision insurance plan with employer dental benefits can deliver single-bill administration, streamlined eligibility, and unified communications. For HR teams, that means easy implementation, consolidated invoices, and minimal ongoing maintenance.
DeltaVision is true partnership between Delta Dental of Washington and VSP® Vision Care: Delta Dental of Washington handles enrollment, eligibility, and billing; VSP handles the vision provider network, claims, and vision customer service. Together, we built DeltaVision as a strong, seamless and valuable vision benefit experience.
Promote utilization to maximize value. During onboarding and open enrollment, explain what the vision plan covers, typical savings on exams and eyewear, and how to find in-network providers to maximize savings. Use reminders to encourage annual eye exams and share wellness content that highlights how eye exams can detect health conditions1.
Delta Dental of Washington Makes It Easy to Bundle Vision with Your Dental Coverage
Simplify administration and deliver more value with bundled benefits. If you’re building a stronger employee benefits package, a vision insurance plan through DeltaVision is a great place to start. It’s affordable, simple to administer with integrated billing and eligibility, and easy for employees to use at major retailers and local providers. With Delta Dental of Washington, you can bundle vision with your dental coverage to simplify administration that may lead to single invoices, coordinated eligibility, and unified service, all while delivering a seamless member experience. Pairing dental and vision rounds out preventive care and supports health, productivity, and retention.
Learn more about adding DeltaVision to your benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the total monthly cost to add vision coverage?
The cost of vision insurance varies based on plan design and how much the employer chooses to contribute. In general, vision benefits are one of the most affordable additions to an employee benefits package. DeltaVision rates show employee-only coverage starting at $4.40 per employee per month, making vision coverage a low-cost option that can add meaningful value for employees.
What do employees get for glasses, contacts, and exams?
Coverage varies by plan, but many DeltaVision options include an annual eye exam, standard lenses, and an allowance for frames or contacts. Check benefit summaries and plan comparisons for specific allowances.
Are major retailers included?
Yes. DeltaVision uses the VSP Choice® network, which includes many local eye doctors and major retail stores such as Costco, Walmart (for groups with 51+ employees), and Sam’s Club. Provider participation can vary by location, so it is best to check the network in your area.
How easy is the plan to administer?
DeltaVision is designed to be simple to manage when paired with a Delta Dental of Washington plan. Employers can offer dental and vision together. In some cases, this means billing is through one invoice with one point of contact, which can make setup and ongoing administration easier.
Can I add vision if I already have a dental plan?
Yes. You can pair DeltaVision with a Delta Dental of Washington plan.
