Vision Coverage

UVA offers two options to save on eyecare: 

1. Davis Vision offers additional benefits and provider options. These vision plan options cannot be combined, so compare benefits below to help you choose.
2. Aetna Vision Discount Program - You are automatically enrolled as a UVA Health Plan participant in the Aetna Vision Discount Program, with no premium beyond the Health Plan.

Aetna Vision Discount program benefits include:

Prescription and nonprescription savings: You get discounts on:

• Eye exams
• Prescription eyewear
• LASIK laser eye surgery
• Non-disposable contact lenses
• Designer frame options

You can even save on things that don’t need a prescription, like sunglasses, eyeglass chains, lens cases and cleaners.

Plenty of locations: You can visit many doctors in private practice, plus national chains like America's Best, EyeMart Express, LensCrafters, Target Optical, CVS Optical, and Pearle Vision. To find a location, go to Aetna Vision Provider Directory 

Great rates on eye exams: You’ll get discounts on routine eye exams. And they aren’t just for clear vision. 

Contact lenses — delivered to your door. If your prescription is up to date, you can get them mailed right to your home.

LASIK for less: You get one low package price for laser eye surgery screening, surgery and follow-up care. And the first consultation is free — even if you decide not to have the surgery.

Frequency: every January 1

• Exam
• Lenses & Lense upgrades
• Frame
• Contacts, evaluation & fitting

Eye Exam copay: $0

Contacts evaluation, fitting & follow-up for Davis Vision collection lens: Covered in Full when ordering Davis Vision collection contacts on the same date of service from the same provider. The Davis Vision collection is available at most participating independent provider locations. 

Contacts in lieu of glasses: 

• Allowances: $130 (+additional 15% off any overage) or
• The Davis Vision Collection of Contact Lenses: covered in full

Lens copay: $0

Frame Allowance: 

• Visionworks: $180 (+ additional 20% off any overage)
• Other locations: $130 (+ additional 20% off any overage) or
• The Davis Vision Collection:
  • Fashion and Designer lines: covered in full
  • Premier line: $25

Free breakage warranty: your glasses are covered with the Davis Vision free one-year breakage warranty. Some limitations apply. 

The Davis Vision Collection: This collection provides you with entirely free frames within the Fashion and Designer line, and only $25 for the Premier line. The collection is available at nearly 9,000 locations across the US. 

See specifics for copays on options and upgrades

Contact Davis Vision to learn more about Davis Vision Exclusive Collection and covered frequency. 

To be eligible for Davis Vision, you must be a full- or part-time UVA employee, regularly scheduled to work at least 20 hour/week. You must be one of the following employee types:

• Faculty and Visiting Faculty
• Classified Staff
• Housestaff
• Medical Center Team Member
• Postdoctoral Research Associate
• Senior Professional Research Staff
• University Staff

To be added to your Davis Vision plan, your spouse must be legally recognized as a spouse in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

To be added to your Davis Vision plan, children must be your biological, step, adopted, or foster child, or any child declared a dependent on your federal tax return for whom you are the legal guardian with permanent custody. Children are eligible to the end of the birth month in which they turn 26.

If children are incapable of self-support (due to mental or physical disability), they can remain on your Davis Vision plan beyond age 26 as long as the following requirements are met:

• Required documentation is approved in advance by the benefits claims administrator before the dependent's 26th birthday.
• They are unmarried.
• They live with you 100% of the time.
• They are declared a dependent on your federal tax return.

Your premiums are the amount you spend on Davis Vision each paycheck. You pay the premiums, regardless of whether you use the benefits.

Davis Vision premiums (listed below) are monthly and are the same for eligible full-time and part-time UVA employees. Family coverage includes the employee, spouse, and children. The 2024 rates below remain unchanged from 2023.

Dependent enrollment is not automatic, and must be done through Workday upon hire, with a qualified life event, or during the open enrollment period.

The table below shows that Housestaff get Davis Vision coverage at no cost per month.

Davis Vision is available for purchase by active, benefits-eligible employees whose status is listed above. If Davis Vision is not an option for you, review the Aetna Vision Discount Program for details about vision discount benefits.

COBRA premiums for Davis Vision are listed below. (Rate includes 2%) The 2023 monthly rates below remain unchanged from 2022.

To help you get the most out of your money for vision, medical, pharmacy, dental, and dependent-care expenses, the University offers benefits-related savings and spending accounts. These accounts allow you to put aside money for eligible expenses, by payroll deduction, before taxes.

• Visit the UVA Basic Health with Health Savings Account (HSA) page to learn more about the HSA for vision and other allowable expenses.
• Visit the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) page to learn more about FSAs.  

The first time you use the Davis Vision website, you will need to register. 

• Go to http://www.davisvision.com/Member.
• Click on "Member Log In" within the page or "Member Log In" at top of page. 
• Within the next screen, click on "Register new account" 
• Follow the prompts to register your account. You will need your Davis Vision identification number (found on your Davis Vision card), so have that information handy.
• Begin using the Davis Vision website

Davis Vision Account Steps 

Davis Vision mobile app 

When you first sign up for Davis Vision, you will receive a membership card by mail. Replacement cards can be ordered through your online member account or by calling Davis Vision at 800.804.6115. 

Use Davis Vision tools to find in-network providers.

For routine eyecare (eye exams, glasses, and contacts), follow these steps:

• Go to www.davisvision.com/Member.
• Enter your Username and Password and click “Submit”.
• Select “Find a Provider.”
• Enter the requested information to find an in-network vision provider.

For laser vision correction, follow these steps:

• Go to www.davisvision.com/Member.
• Enter your username and password and click “Submit.”
• Select “Laser Vision Correction.”
• Follow the steps to learn more or start the process.

For online vendors Davis Vision review the following flyer:

Online Retailers

The first time you use Aetna Navigator, you will need to register.

• Go to www.aetna.com and click “Login.”
• Click on “Register.”
• Follow the prompts to register your account. You will need your Member ID (found on your Aetna card) or social security number, so have that information handy.
• Begin using Aetna Navigator.

Use Aetna tools to find in-network providers.

For routine eyecare (eye exams, glasses, and contacts), use the following steps to find a provider:

• Go to the Aetna Vision Provider Directory
• Enter Zip Code or select "Use My Location" to begin your search
• Click "Get Results"
• Scroll through to find a provider. 

To find a vision specialist, use the following steps:

• Go to Aetna Vision Provider Directory 
• Select "Advanced Search"
• Enter Zip Code or Select "Use My Location"
• Scroll to review criteria options and adjust to your needs.
• Under Specialty you can choose 
  • OD Optometrist
  • MD Ophthalmologist
  • DO Doctor of Osteopathy
• Once you have selected your criteria click on "Get Results"
• Scroll through to find a provider. 

Participants in the UVA Health Plan (including retirees) have access to benefits through the Aetna Vision Discount Program. More about the UVA Health Plan eligibility

Cost is one factor to consider when choosing vision coverage. Vision discounts from Aetna require no additional premiums or co-payments beyond the UVA Health Plan. 

If you participate in the UVA Health Plan, assess whether the Aetna Vision Discount Program provides adequate discounts for you and your covered dependents.