Does Walmart accept VSP and EyeMed? (your complete guide)
Vision insurance is usually not covered by regular health insurance, so for many people it is a separate expense.
Insurance providers like VSP and EyeMed are at least making eye care affordable and accessible, especially since they partner with some of the most popular vision centers in the U.S.
Since Walmart has been operating vision centers within its supermarkets for decades, you might be wondering: Does Walmart accept VSP and EyeMed? Here’s what I found!
Does Walmart accept VSP and EyeMed?
Walmart does employ VSP and EyeMed; however, they are not considered in-network. Generally, Walmart customers with VSP and EyeMed insurance must include out-of-network benefits as part of their plan and submit an out-of-network reimbursement form with their specific provider after their appointment. Also, VSPs and EyeMed may not cover out-of-network services to the same extent as in-network services.
To learn more about VSP and EyeMed, what Walmart Vision Centers cover, and how to file an out-of-network claim, keep reading!
Are VSP and EyeMed in the Walmart network?
Neither VSP nor EyeMed are considered to be in Walmart’s network.
Because both are considered out-of-network, not every customer in these programs will be able to access Walmart Vision Center.
In order to get reimbursed for your appointments, you have to add out-of-network add-ons to your plan (which obviously increases what you pay for your insurance).
It’s also important to note that since these insurance plans consider Walmart Vision Center out-of-network providers, you’ll likely end up paying more in the long run.
Chances are you won’t get the same discount on your visit as you would with an in-network provider.
In many cases, you may end up paying the entire cost of your visit upfront out of your own pocket, so you must have this money ready at the time of your appointment.
After you have paid and received your full bill, you should keep your receipt, as you will need it to file a vision reimbursement claim with your insurance company.
You can find more information on how to do this in the topics below.
What does Walmart Vision Center’s VSP cover?
What VSP covers at Walmart Vision Center depends on your plan.
But in general, you can still have a health checkup to assess your vision, test eye conditions, and buy glasses or contact lenses.
However, your reimbursement for eyeglasses or contact lenses may be less than if you went to an in-network vision center.
Ultimately, you’ll miss out on perks that only apply to in-network services.
What does EyeMed at Walmart Vision Center cover?
Your EyeMed vision insurance coverage at Walmart will vary depending on your plan.
You need to make sure your plan includes out-of-network add-ons, or you will pay the full cost of the visit and not get reimbursed.
But as with VSP, you can expect to get anything your local Walmart Vision Center offers, such as health screenings and eyeglass/contact lens orders.
Again, as with VSPs, you can expect these discounts to be less than if you go to an in-network provider, and you’ll miss out on in-network-only member benefits.
How do you file a vision insurance reimbursement claim at Walmart?
Both VSP and EyeMed make filing an out-of-network claim relatively easy and straightforward.
You can do this for any insurance company through their website.
Make sure you have your receipt handy; if you have a receipt but it is not detailed, you will need to go back to the Walmart Vision Center and ask for a detailed receipt.
Both insurance companies want to know what services you received and how much you paid for each service in order to process your claim.
Then, if you file your claim online, you must take a photo of your receipt and attach it to the form.
You can also mail your claim, print and complete the form and attach a copy of your receipt.
Walmart aims to simplify the process for out-of-network claims; therefore, they have included VSP and EyeMed claim addresses here.
Are VSP and EyeMed the same?
VSP and EyeMed are not the same; they are two completely different vision insurance companies and therefore direct competitors.
The full name of VSP is Vision Service Plan, which is one of the largest vision care insurance plans in the United States
In addition, VSP offers benefits to individuals and businesses that, in addition to covering doctor appointments, eyeglasses and contact lenses, customers can also get discounts on LASIK procedures.
In addition, VSP has Visionworks, Eyeconic, UNITY lenses and Community Eye Care insurance.
EyeMed, by contrast, is owned by EssilorLuxottica and is a sibling to LensCrafters, Target Optical, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut.
Like VSP, EyeMed offers deep discounts at in-network providers and also partially covers LASIK procedures.
Both VSP and EyeMed offer a variety of plans; the more you pay, the better your plan will obviously be, and the more services will be covered.
If you want to learn more about Walmart, you can also check out our related posts on Walmart Vision Center returns policy, Walmart Vision Center prices, and whether VSP and Eyemed are accepted at Costco.
in conclusion
Walmart customers can use their VSP and EyeMed insurance plans at Walmart Vision Centers, but should be aware that these visits are considered out-of-network.
While Walmart Vision Centers are more convenient and less costly than private clinics, their out-of-network status means patients must submit a claim form after their appointment.
