Vision Insurance
The EyeMed vision plan is free for eligible Graduate Employees & Postdocs.
Plan Highlights:
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a $185 allowance for frames
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a $150 allowance for contacts
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$0 copay for eye exams
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$10 copay for standard plastic lenses
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$0 lens tinting (including blue light filtering)
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Fixed co-pays for most Premium Progressive Lenses and Premium Anti-Reflective Coatings
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Allows purchase of glasses & contacts every 12 months
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Coverage for Diabetic Care Services
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NEW for 2025-2026: Vision Supplement Benefit! Benefit is up to $170 when used at UHS OR up to a $120 reimbursement when used anywhere else for frames, contacts, or prescription sunglasses. See details below.
Note: Please review the plan in full before utilizing insurance.
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Important: Point of Service Plan Year
Please note that the vision plan operates on a point of service plan year. This means that your available benefit is measured from the last time you used the benefit. For example, if you used the frame benefit on 12/1/2025, you are not eligible to use it again until 12/1/2026.
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New for 2025-2026: Vision Supplement Benefit (VSB)!
Starting 8/1/2025, eligible grad employees and postdocs who are enrolled in the EyeMed vision plan can access an additional supplemental vision benefit once they have exhausted their EyeMed benefit for frames or contacts.
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How it works:
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If you no longer have a frame or contact benefit available through EyeMed because you’ve used it within the last 12 months, you can access our in-house Vision Supplement Benefit (VSB). You can check to see when you last used your EyeMed benefit by registering at eyemed.com.
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The maximum benefit is $170* if used at the on-campus UHS Eye Clinic, or $120 if used anywhere else. If used at UHS, the benefit is applied at the time of service and reduces your bill right away. If used anywhere else, you will need to submit your receipt for reimbursement using our portal.
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The Vision Supplement Benefit (VSB) can be used once every plan year (8/1-7/31). Your EyeMed benefit must be exhausted before your VSB can be accessed.
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The VSB is not a running total, but rather a one-time per 12-month benefit. For example, if your second pair of glasses is less than the maximum benefit, you’ve still used the full benefit. There is no carryover.
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The VSB can only be used for a second pair of glasses, prescription sunglasses, or contacts.
An example of how the VSB works at UHS: You select an above average pair of frames at UHS that retail for $249 and single vision lenses that retail for $95. You’ve already used your EyeMed benefit for frames. After the max $170 VSB is applied, you will owe $36.40 for the new glasses. That’s about 90% off the cost.
Another UHS example: You select an average pair of frames at UHS that retail for $189 and single vision lenses that retail for $95. You’ve already used your EyeMed benefit for frames. After the max $170 VSB is applied, you will owe $.40 for the new glasses.
An example of how the VSB works at any other retailer/vision provider: You order contacts from Warby Parker after your EyeMed contact benefit has already been used. You order (2) 90-pack boxes ($62.77 / box), totaling $125.55 and submit the receipt to us for reimbursement. We reimburse you $120.
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Receipts: Valid receipts are dated within the plan year, include your name if applicable, and clearly show the name of the vision provider to which fees were paid and the name/description of the item purchased including applicable vision codes if possible​.
​Complicated receipts: If your receipt has multiple parts or you are submitting several receipts from different places or from stores where the itemization is not detailed, please help us by notating your receipt to make it easier to read.
*inclusive of the 40% discount on 2nd pairs from EyeMed
Eligibility
To be eligible for the EyeMed Vision plan, you must be one of the following:
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A Trust Fund-eligible graduate employee or postdoc
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the dependent spouse of a Trust Fund-eligible graduate employee or postdoc
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the same or opposite sex domestic partner of a Trust Fund-eligible graduate employee or postdoc
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the child of a Trust Fund-eligible graduate employee or postdoc up to age 19
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No other family members are eligible for coverage under the plan.
Cost
The vision plan is free for all eligible individuals and their families.
Coverage options:
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Single
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Single +1 (you + either a spouse/partner OR child)
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Family (you + multiple dependents)
All of these options are FREE.
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