Vision Coverage Options

Caring for your eyes and keeping your eyesight healthy will benefit you in all aspects of life. All GW COBRA participants are eligible to choose from two voluntary vision plan options.

The GW vision plans are "stand-alone" plans, so you can enroll in vision coverage whether or not you have medical coverage through GW.

Take a look at the table to evaluate which of the options may be right for you.

UnitedHealthcare Voluntary Vision Plan Options: Basic Plan vs. Enhanced Plan

GW offers a choice of two voluntary vision plans through UnitedHealthcare: Basic and Enhanced.

	Basic	Enhanced
Co-pays for In-Network Services
Exam	$0	$0
Materials	$20	$20
Benefit Frequency
Comprehensive Exam	Once every 12 months	Once every 12 months
Spectacle Lenses	Once every 12 months	Once every 12 months
Frames	Once every 24 months	Once every 12 months
Contact Lenses in Lieu of Eye Glasses	Once every 12 months	Once every 12 months
Frame Benefit
Private Practice Provider	$130	$150
Retail Chain Provider	$130	$150
Lens Options
For both the Basic and Enhanced plans, standard scratch-resistant coating lenses are covered in full. (Discount varies by provider.) The Enhanced Plan covers the following additional lens options in full: standard progressive lenses, standard anti-reflective coating, polycarbonate lenses, ultraviolet coating, glass coating and tints.
Contact Lens Benefit
Elective contact lenses: fitting / evaluation fees, contact lenses and up to two follow-up visits are covered in full (after copay). If you choose disposable contacts: under the Basic plan, up to four boxes are covered when obtained from a network provider; under the Enhanced plan, up to six boxes are covered.
Laser Vision Benefit
UnitedHealthcare Vision has partnered with the QualSight LASIK to provide members with access to discounted laser vision correction procedures. Members receive up to 35% off national pricing. To learn more about laser vision correction, and to find a network surgeon, visit uhc.qualsight.com or call 1-855-321-2020.

In-network, covered-in-full benefits (after applicable copay) include:

a comprehensive exam
eye glasses with standard single vision
lined bifocal or lined tri-focal lenses
standard scratch-resistant coating and frame or contact lenses in lieu of eye glasses

Refer to the chart above which provides a summary of some of the in-network services and costs. Please visit hr.gwu.edu/vision-benefits for additional details.