Simplyhealth is adding benefits company EyeMed UK’s eyecare service to its Health Plan.
The partnership will allow Simplyhealth Health Plan customers to book eye tests and exclusively access 20% discount on prescription lenses and frames (excluding contact lenses) at over 1,200 opticians and retailers across the UK, including Vision Express, David Clulow and local independents.
The provider is also launching this benefit as its first national direct settlement scheme, allowing customers to settle the cost of their eye tests and prescription eyewear up to their benefit limit in store without having to pay upfront or make a claim later.
It added the new service will be available to all customers in the coming months.
The discounted eye services are available to all Simplyhealth Health Plan customers immediately – individuals and businesses partners.
It can be accessed from within the SimplyPlan app or Simplyhealth customer portal, 24/7, with people able to quickly find network locations and book appointments through a digital directory.
Tina Kennedy, health plan product director at Simplyhealth, said: “A visit to the Opticians is so much more than a sight test and can help prevent and identify health problems sooner.
“By joining forces with EyeMed, customers can find the best eye care providers, treat their conditions, fund treatments via claim-backs and discounts.
“Adding a direct settlement option is an exciting, significant milestone and a first for the UK Health Plan insurance industry.
“With 95% of our current customers within a five-mile radius of one of these opticians we are delivering on our promise to make affordable healthcare more accessible for all.
“Continuous innovation will bring direct settlement and more services to our Health Plan later this year, growing networks and providers nationally.”
Hector Rincon, head of EyeMed International, added: “We are thrilled to join forces with Simplyhealth, to accelerate our shared purpose of improving people’s access to healthcare.
“At a time when the need for vision care is growing, we are proud to bring to the UK the first of its kind network that will allow millions of people to gain access to a comprehensive range of optical services, including eye tests and prescription eyewear.”