Aetna vision benefits
Aetna vision benefits
Regular vision exams can help keep eyes healthy and detect vision changes early. Knowing how your vision benefits work can help you get the most value.
If you’re enrolled in a DoD NAF medical plan through Aetna, you have a vision benefit built in.
This is the case for U.S. (CONUS) and international (OCONUS) employees, as well as DoD NAF retirees.
Your Aetna vision benefit offers more than just an eye exam — it provides coverage for hardware (frames and lenses or contacts), pediatric vision protection (up to age 22), access to Health Care FSA (HFSA) savings, and additional discounts through LifeMart.
Together, these features are designed to help you protect your eye health while stretching your dollars. Taking advantage of both the medical plan benefit and the LifeMart discount program is a smart way to reduce out-of-pocket costs for you and your family.
Key points
- In-network providers: In-network providers generally charge less than out-of-network providers since Aetna has negotiated rates with them. Many of these providers are EyeMed providers.
- To find in-network providers: Log in to Aetna.com and go to Find Care and Pricing. If you aren't yet an Aetna member, click here to find providers. In-network includes providers with Aetna and our partner EyeMed.
- Note: If an EyeMed provider says you're not eligible for coverage, contact Aetna Member Services at 1-800-367-6276. They can also help you find in-network providers, including EyeMed providers.
- Vision discounts: In addition to your medical plan vision benefit, you also have access to the LifeMart Member Discount Program. Learn more in Accessing vision discounts.
What’s covered per calendar year
The following services and products are covered at 100%:
For adults
- One routine eye exam with an in-network provider
- One contact lens fitting (must be done during the routine eye exam to be covered at 100%)
- $150 allowance for vision hardware (frames and lenses or contacts)
- Note: Some providers may not expect both the eye exam and the contact lens fitting to be covered, so it's OK to remind them.
For dependent kids (up to age 22)
- One routine eye exam (in or out of network) covered at 100% with no copay
- One pair of basic eyeglasses (frames and lenses)
- Important: This 100% coverage applies only for these vision codes: V2020, V2100-2199, V2200-2299, V2300-2399, V2121, V2221 and V2321.
- Note: For pediatric care, you may need to pay out of pocket and submit a claim for reimbursement. You can find a vision claim form here.
Accessing vision discounts
In addition to your medical plan vision benefit, you also have access to the LifeMart Member Discount Program. This program provides savings on items and services that may not be fully covered under the medical plan — such as additional pairs of glasses, contact lenses and other vision-related purchases.
You can use these discounts powered by EyeMed even after you've used your $150 allowance, helping you reduce out-of-pocket costs.
To access LifeMart vision discounts:
- Log in to Aetna.com.
- Click on the Health & Wellness tab and then Health & Wellness Discounts.
- Click on any of the Health and Wellness tiles to access the LifeMart Discount Website.
- Click on the More tab and then Vision & Hearing Care.
Note: Many vision providers are EyeMed providers. If an EyeMed provider says you’re not eligible for coverage or if you need help submitting a claim, contact Aetna Member Services at 1-800-367-6276. You can find a vision claim form here.
Submitting claims
At times, you may need to submit a claim for vision care services or products. Since this benefit runs through the medical plan, do the following for each visit.
- Ask your provider for a fully itemized receipt.
- Let them know you'll be filing an insurance claim.
- Submit the claim to Aetna for reimbursement (up to $150 for hardware).
You can find a vision claim form here.
If you need help submitting a claim, contact Aetna Member Services at 1-800-367-6276.
Using your Health Care FSA (HFSA)
If you are enrolled in an HFSA, you can use it to pay for vision care, but you'll need to follow these steps:
- For the first $150, pay with another payment method (not your HFSA). This will be reimbursed by Aetna (if covered).
- For costs over $150, use your HFSA debit card.
After Aetna processes your claim, you'll receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Submit the EOB to Inspira for FSA documentation.
Note: If you pay the full cost out of pocket, submit your claim to Aetna first, then submit the EOB to Inspira to receive FSA reimbursement for the amount over $150.
Questions? Visit our Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) page to learn more about these accounts and who to contact for help.
Find resources & forms
Contact information
Aetna Member Services
Call with benefits-related questions Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM CT.
Visit your NAF page
Click on one of these tiles to find NAF-specific updates, contacts, enrollment information and more.
