If your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) plan includes vision coverage, select from the links below to search for a vision provider.
BCBSIL Vision Plans *
Medicaid Plan (Blue Cross Community Health PlansSM)
Blue Cross Community MMAI (Medicare-Medicaid Plan)SM**
Medicare Advantage Plans *
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* EyeMed Vision Care is an independent company that administers the vision benefits for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.
** Davis Vision is an independent company that provides vision care benefits for the BCBSIL Blue Cross Community MMAI Plan. BCBSIL and Davis Vision are separate companies.
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Most people with vision issues have refractive errors, and Blue View Vision offers quality treatment coverage of them.
With in-network providers of eye exams, glasses and contact lenses, you can pay little out of pocket in exchange for eye doctors, tests and optical aids. Blue View Vision also provides some coverage for out-of-network providers.
You can add some treatment like retinal scans to your regular eye exams, but more serious vision problems like cataract surgeries are not covered. LASIK is offered at a discount through a large network of ophthalmologists who work with Blue View Vision.
Blue View Vision is considered a solid insurance option that provides good benefits for members.
Blue View Vision Coverage Options
- More than 32,000 vision care providers across the United States who can assess vision changes
- Eyeglasses and contact lenses through several retailers
- A simple process to find treatment providers and access your benefits
Basic vision health needs, including eye exams and glasses, are covered by this plan. It gives you a big range of options, but there are some needs that are not covered by Blue View Vision.
If you don’t have insurance, take the time to understand what Blue Vision offers and determine if it offers coverage you can use to your medical and financial benefit.
Costs for Covered Treatment Through Blue View Vision
Vision insurance should cover several basic services for little to no cost. For Blue View Vision members, these services include:
Blue View Vision Plan offers you a comprehensive eye exam every calendar year with a copay of only $10 for in-network providers. You receive coverage up to $50 if you opt to have an eye exam with an out-of-network ophthalmologist or optometrist.
With in-network providers, the plan covers up to $130 of the cost of a pair of eyeglasses frames plus a 20-percent discount on the remaining balance. The Blue Vision plan covers $80 of the cost of frames if you choose an out-of-network lens provider.
The plan provides for three categories of standard plastic prescription eyeglass lenses:
- Single vision
- Bifocals
- Trifocals
For the in-network option, the copay is $15 for all the lenses. Those using the out-of-network service providers can tap reimbursements of $40, 60, and 80, respectively, for the single, bifocal and trifocal lenses You use the reimbursements once every calendar year.
You can choose to add a lens enhancement to any eyewear covered by Blue Vision. The standard polycarbonate and transition lens enhancements are available to members under 21 years old with the in-network option at no additional cost. Factory scratch coating is also covered.
Enhancements provided by the out-of-network manufacturers are not covered by the policy.
You get coverage for a new prescription for contact lenses every year. You can use a maximum $130 with 15 percent off the remaining balance for non-disposable, conventional contact lenses if you use an in-network provider. You can get up to $115 out of network.
In addition, you can get up to $130 with no discount for disposable contacts if you use an in-network option, with $115 covered for out-of-network choices. Medically necessary contacts are covered in full at in-network choices, while $210 is covered out of network.
Regular Eye Exams & Necessary Surgery
Blue View Vision does not cover other types of vision surgery, including cataract surgery, vitrectomy, or other types of laser surgery that do not treat refractive errors.
Treatment for some serious eye diseases like glaucoma may be covered by your standard health insurance rather than vision insurance. If you are diagnosed with a chronic vision problem that is not a refractive error, work with your optometrist or ophthalmologist to understand how to best treat this disease.
More vision insurance providers realize that laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a wonderful option to manage refractive errors. Long term, LASIK is less expensive than glasses or contact lenses, as long as your refractive error does not change every year. You will still need regular eye exams to manage your eyes’ health, but LASIK means you do not need to wear contact lenses or glasses all the time to see clearly.
Refractive Errors Are Covered Through Blue View Vision
Blue View Vision covers treatment for refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism, and farsightedness (both hyperopia and presbyopia). You can get regular eye exams, new glasses, prescription lenses and contact lenses, and even laser refractive surgery with discounts or a certain dollar amount of coverage. This plan works very well for most people, but if you have more serious vision issues, you may need a different insurance option.
References
Blue View Vision. Wittenberg.
Blue View Vision Summary. Anthem.
Blue View Vision. Empire BlueCross Blue Shield, An Anthem Company.
Blue View Vision Basic Eye Care & Eyewear Discounts. Anthem HealthKeepers.
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