Study: Americans with stand-alone vision insurance plans more likely to receive annual eye examination

According to a new study conducted for the National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) by an independent research firm, health care consumers who participate in full service, stand-alone vision insurance plans are two times (33.3 percent) more likely to receive an annual comprehensive eye examination than those consumers that have vision care coverage "bundled" with their major medical plan (16.3 percent). The study reviewed eye exam usage patterns of nearly 85 million Americans enrolled in vision benefits programs during 2008 and 2009. The results indicate that vision plan membership has been increasing and eye exams have been utilized at a higher growth rate than membership, indicating consumers value the wellness component of their vision benefits that allows for the recognition of symptoms of chronic disease, as well as assessment of the need for vision correction. The study further bolsters the NAVCP's position that stand-alone vision plans should be included within the Health Care Exchanges contemplated by the recently passed health care reform legislation. This inclusion can be expected to significantly increase the number and frequency of Americans receiving routine, preventive eye care, as well as improve long-term medical outcomes.

"For the first time, the majority of the U.S. vision benefits companies have come together to study the impact their products and services have on the lives of tens of millions of health care consumers," explains Liz DiGiandomenico, President of EyeMed Vision Care and Past President of the NAVCP. "We have always known the eye exam is an important component of overall health, but this first-ever study offers additional perspective on the role the vision plan plays in consumer usage patterns."

The results overwhelmingly support the concept that a far greater proportion of Americans who have stand-alone vision care benefits understand the importance of regular eye health examinations than those Americans who have eye health insurance embedded within their broader medical insurance coverage. Stand-alone vision plans participating in the study yielded nearly 17 million consumer eye exams annually.

"Eye health is incredibly vital to overall health," says Richard Sanchez, President and CEO of Advantica Eyecare and current NAVCP President. "Doctors understand that comprehensive eye examinations can lead to the early detection of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and even reveal high cholesterol."

"Stand-alone vision plans offer a vital service and are an integral part of health care delivery in our country. In order to ensure related improvements in overall health, and medical cost control for Americans, it is essential that stand-alone vision plans are widely available as part of the new health care landscape," adds Sanchez.

Children whose parents have stand-alone vision benefits are more likely to receive routine eye care according to the study. Parents with stand-alone vision benefits are more than twice as likely to take their children to the eye doctor (29-percent) than those with exam benefits bundled through their medical plans (12.5-percent).

"There may be thousands of children with perceived or misdiagnosed learning disabilities who really need an eye exam and, in many cases, simply need a pair of glasses," added Sanchez. "Building awareness for regularly scheduled eye exams as part of overall health is important for all family members. Stand-alone vision plans are, as the study indicates, a key part of the overall health care equation."

Additionally, consumer continuity of care with stand-alone vision coverage is higher when compared to those consumers who have coverage bundled with major medical.  The study revealed 36-percent of patients with stand-alone coverage received an eye examination in consecutive years, compared to 22-percent of patients with bundled care.  

Rob Lynch, CEO of VSP® Vision Care comments, "The key factor in an eye health and overall health maintenance program is the delivery of consistent care resulting in high consumer satisfaction. Patients with stand-alone vision benefits develop longer, deeper and more lasting relationships with their eye doctors than those with bundled insurance.  As such, stand-alone patients are more likely to have a health care experience that has a more impactful role on the broader spectrum of their general health."