Why Vision Should Be Part of Every Benefits Package

Published 04/18/2023
by Heritage Vision Plans

Vision insurance helps employers attract talent while safeguarding their employees’ health.

It’s hard to find a person who doesn’t care about the health and quality of their vision—yet without vision insurance, many Americans do not take the necessary steps to protect their eye health. According to a recent survey, 87% of Americans with vision insurance planned to get an eye exam within the next year, compared to only 67% of Americans who did not have insurance. After receiving an eye exam, those with insurance were twice as likely to plan for new eyewear than those uninsured.

The obvious conclusion from this study is that access to vision insurance is a decisive factor for many people when making decisions about their eye health. For employers who are considering the quality of their benefits package, these statistics make a powerful case for including vision insurance. Not only is vision insurance a crucial component of any comprehensive benefits offering, it also provides great value to both your employees and your company. Here’s why.

1. Your employees will use it for themselves and their families.

Between 63 and 70% of American adults wear glasses or contacts, as do a further 25% of children between the ages of 2 and 17. That means a substantial majority of your workforce will have reason to access vision insurance benefits for themselves, their partners, or their children. Given the cost of eye exams, glasses, and contacts, that’s far more than a marginal benefit.

It’s also important to recognize that vision changes over time, and those employees who do not currently wear glasses or contacts may still want insurance in the expectation that they will need corrective lenses in the future. Finally, eye exams are an important medical touchpoint, even for those with excellent vision, as eye health can help detect other health issues, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. It is recommended that everyone get an eye exam once a year, as insurance is an important prerequisite for employees who might otherwise skip their exams out of concern for the cost.

2. It will help you attract and retain talent.

In today’s heated hiring environment, many companies are working hard to show that they’re a more attractive place to work than their competition. And with the rise of remote work, some of the more popular perks of office life—such as lavish cafeterias, a generous snack bar, or on-site amenities—are no longer as appealing.

However, a generous vision plan is not only desirable, it also doesn’t depend on employees being in an office to benefit. By choosing benefits that are accessible to all employees, no matter their location, you demonstrate every hire is an equally valued member of your organization. Your remote employees may even feel that the benefit is particularly appropriate given the additional screen time required for Zoom meetings.

3. It’s a way to show your employees that you appreciate their work.

Access to vision insurance today is likely to benefit your employees long after they no longer work for you. That’s because early detection of many eye conditions allows for faster treatment, preventing those problems from growing worse in the long run—and that’s something your employees will definitely appreciate.

For employees with dependents, being able to provide annual exams and eyewear for their spouse and children can be a huge relief. Again, perks tied to office life don’t get to be shared by the employee’s family. By investing in vision insurance for them and their family, you are signaling that they aren’t just important to you when they’re in the office, but that their home life has equal validity.

4. Your employees will be happier and more productive with quality vision care.

Employees who do not have vision insurance sometimes put off eye exams, even when experiencing symptoms that indicate they are in need of one. These include frequent headaches, squinting, watery eyes, blurry vision, double vision, light sensitivity, and night blindness. Employer vision benefit plans encourage employees to schedule regular routine eye exams, while having a vision benefit increases employee satisfaction with the company—along with their productivity.

Offering vision insurance isn’t just doing right by your people, it’s doing right by your company. It’s making sure that your employees have access to high quality eye care so that they are able to do their best work.

Employees grow more interested in vision care after being educated about eye health.

For employers who already offer vision insurance, educating their workforce on the importance of signing up for benefits and getting their eye exams encourages employees to use their coverage, and also helps them appreciate its worth. Millennials in particular are health-conscious and enjoy staying informed. In fact, over 90% of employees want to be notified with informative content by either their employer or their insurance provider. That’s a pretty strong mandate.

As a vision insurance provider, Heritage Vision Plans can help you satisfy your employees’ wishes. Our network includes providers across every state, and our small-but-mighty size gives us the flexibility to work with employers to provide insurance for the smaller member groups that larger insurance companies often won’t cover.

Contact us today to learn more about our plan options. And while you’re at it, read through some of the articles we’ve written recently for our members. If you find something you think your employees would appreciate, share it with them! By all accounts, they want you to.