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UK offers two vision insurance plans you can choose.
 
Both vision plans include:

  • 1 eye exam every 12 months
  • The purchase of lenses or contacts every 12 months

EyeMed Essential covers the purchase of frames once every 24 months, while the Enhanced plan covers frames once every 12 months. No matter which plan you choose, your costs are lower when you see an eye care provider inside the EyeMed network. The network includes UK vision care providers, LensCrafters and many private practices nationwide.
 
Save more with EyeMed Plus Providers who offer benefits at a $0 exam copay and additional $50 frame allowance. Search for Plus Providers by zip code.

Safety eyewear discounts are also available through the employee discount program.

Which plan is right for you?

Compare our two plan options to find the right fit for you and your family.

UK offers two vision insurance plans through EyeMed – Essential and Enhanced. The EyeMed network includes UK vision care providers along with LensCrafters, many private practices and other locations nationwide.

EyeMed Essential: Lower premiums out of your paycheck each month, higher co-pays for some services when you purchase them.
Coverage Level You pay
Employee only $8.50
Employee + children $15.20
Employee + spouse $16
Employee + family $21.40
Both plans cover one eye exam every 12 months and the purchase of lenses or contacts every 12 months. EyeMed Essential covers the purchase of frames once every 24 months, while the Enhanced plan covers frames once every 12 months.

Services have higher costs if you see an eye care provider outside the EyeMed network.

You can view the full Certificate of Coverage here.

Below is a breakdown of your costs when you visit eye care providers in the EyeMed network.
 
Summary of benefits Your costs with EyeMed Essential
Vision services
Exam with dilation as necessary $10
Laser vision correction 85% of retail price or 95% of promotional price
Glasses
Frames 80 % of the charge minus a $130 allowance
Single vision standard plastic lens $10
Bifocal standard plastic lens $10
Trifocal standard plastic lens $10
Standard progressive lens $75
Premium progressive lens-Tier 1 $95
Premium progressive lens-Tier 2 $105
Premium progressive lens-Tier 3 $120
Premium progressive lens-Tier 4 $75 co-pay, then 80% of the charge minus a $120 allowance
UV treatment $15
Tint (solid and gradient) $15
Standard scratch resistance $15
Standard polycarbonate (adults) $40
Standard polycarbonate (children under 19) $0
Standard anti-reflective coating $45
Premium anti-reflective coating-Tier 1 $57
Premium anti-reflective coating-Tier 2 $68
Premium anti-reflective coating-Tier 3 80% of retail price
Polarization, other add-on services 80% of retail price
Contact lenses
Standard contact lens exam $40
Premium contact lens exam 90% of retail price
Conventional contact lenses 15% off price after a $130 allowance
Disposable contact lenses Price minus a $130 allowance
Medically necessary contact lenses $0
UK offers two vision insurance plans through EyeMed – Essential and Enhanced. The EyeMed network includes UK vision care providers along with LensCrafters, many private practices and other locations nationwide.

EyeMed Enhanced: Higher premiums out of your paycheck each month, lower co-pays for some services when you purchase them.
Coverage Level You pay
Employee only $21.40
Employee + children $38
Employee + spouse $40
Employee + family $53.60
Both plans cover one eye exam every 12 months and the purchase of lenses or contacts every 12 months. EyeMed Essential covers the purchase of frames once every 24 months, while the Enhanced plan covers frames once every 12 months.

Services have higher costs if you see an eye care provider outside the EyeMed network.

You can view the full Certificate of Coverage here.

Below is a breakdown of your costs when you visit eye care providers in the EyeMed network.
 
Summary of benefits Your costs with EyeMed Enhanced
Vision services
Exam with dilation as necessary $0
Laser vision correction 85% of retail price or 95% of promotional price
Glasses
Frames 80 % of the charge minus a $160 allowance
Single vision standard plastic lens $10
Bifocal standard plastic lens $10
Trifocal standard plastic lens $10
Standard progressive lens $10
Premium progressive lens-Tier 1 $30
Premium progressive lens-Tier 2 $40
Premium progressive lens-Tier 3 $55
Premium progressive lens-Tier 4 $10 co-pay, then 80% of the charge minus a $120 allowance
UV treatment $0
Tint (solid and gradient) $0
Standard scratch resistance $0
Standard polycarbonate (adults) $0
Standard polycarbonate (children under 19) $0
Standard anti-reflective coating $0
Premium anti-reflective coating-Tier 1 $12
Premium anti-reflective coating-Tier 2 $23
Premium anti-reflective coating-Tier 3 $80 percent of retail price minus a $45 allowance
Polarization, other add-on services 80% of retail price
Contact lenses
Standard contact lens exam $0
Premium contact lens exam 90% of retail price minus a $40 allowance
Conventional contact lenses 15% off price after a $160 allowance
Disposable contact lenses Price minus a $160 allowance
Medically necessary contact lenses $0

News

April 16, 2024

Annual period for employees to convert temporary disability leave to vacation leave now available through April 30

The annual period for University of Kentucky employees to convert their temporary disability leave (TDL) to additional vacation leave (VL) is now available through April 30.   Employees may request conversion of TDL hours to additional vacation leave through Employee Self Service in myUK. Employees should log into myUK, access Employee Self Service and select Working Time and Leave Requests.    

November 17, 2023

EyeMed offering additional benefits in 2024

UK employees enrolled in EyeMed vision insurance will have new offers coming to them in 2024.   It’s a mix of the latest discounts and extra savings that give benefits a boost, keep eyes healthy and save some cash.  The new benefits include: 

August 10, 2022

EyeMed extends support to employees affected by flooding

EyeMed, provider of UK's vision insurance plans, has support available to covered employees who were affected by the recent flooding in eastern Kentucky. Covered employees in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe counties can contact EyeMed for the following support:

Employee benefits

All full-time and part-time regular employees are eligible to enroll in vision insurance.

Contact our office

Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(859) 257-9519 option 3
benefits@uky.edu
204 Mandrell Hall

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Open enrollment

The next open enrollment period will begin in April 2024.