Community Eye Care Vision Insurance: What You Should Know Before Your Eye Exam

Dr. Ryan Corte
Oct 10
4 min read

Are you interested in learning more about Community Eye Care (CEC) insurance? Maybe you already have CEC and are looking for an eye doctor in Charlotte or Asheville, NC.

If so, look no further, Reflect Vision Care proudly accepts Community Eye Care! We also accept a wide range of vision and medical insurance plans, helping you make the most of your benefits while receiving exceptional care from our trusted optometrists.

Below, we’ve outlined the most common questions our patients ask about Community Eye Care and how it works for your eye exam, glasses, or contact lenses.

What Is Community Eye Care vision Insurance?

Founded in 1998, Community Eye Care (CEC) is one of the simplest and most straightforward vision benefit plans available. Based in North Carolina, CEC is known for its excellent customer service, transparent benefits, and user-friendly plan design, making it easy to understand exactly what’s covered.

CEC also offers discounts on LASIK and PRK vision correction surgery, helping members save on elective vision care.

How to Find a Community Eye Care Provider

Finding a CEC provider is easy! CEC has an extensive national network that includes both independent private practices and major retail optical chains, 27 of the nation’s leading optical retailers, to be exact.

To locate a provider:

Visit the Community Eye Care Provider Locator.
Search by ZIP code, city, provider name, or practice name.
Choose from local, independent eye doctors or retail optical locations.

💡 Tip: If your plan is through your employer or health organization, you can also use your employer’s benefits portal to confirm which network you belong to. And yes, Reflect Vision Care proudly accepts Community Eye Care vision insurance!

What If My Provider Isn’t In-Network?

You can still visit any eye doctor you prefer. However, if your provider is out-of-network, you may need to pay at the time of your visit and submit a claim to CEC for reimbursement.

The good news? CEC honors your full benefit allowance even if you go out-of-network. That means you’ll still receive your full frame, lens, or contact allowance, although reimbursement may take additional processing time.

How Much Does Community Eye Care Cost?

CEC is typically offered through employers, associations, or health plans, and individual plans are not available for direct purchase.

The cost of coverage varies based on the package your employer or organization selects. However, CEC is widely known for its affordability, simplicity, and excellent value, offering clear benefits without complicated copays or tiers.

What Does Community Eye Care Cover?

CEC plans are designed to make routine vision care easy and affordable. According to the company, members can save up to 70% on annual eye care expenses.

Eye Exams

Most plans include an eye exam copay between $0 and $25.If you wear contact lenses, there may be an additional evaluation fee (up to $25).

Frames, Lenses, Contacts, and Sunglasses

CEC provides members with a dollar-based allowance that can be applied toward:

Glasses (frames and lenses)
Contact lenses
Sunglasses (prescription or non-prescription)
Lens enhancements such as anti-glare or photochromic coatings

For example, if your plan includes a $150 allowance and your glasses cost $150, your out-of-pocket cost is $0.

You can also use your allowance online through CEC’s partnership with Coastal, allowing you to conveniently purchase eyewear and contacts from home.

Plans renew every 12 months, meaning you can update your prescription and eyewear each year.

Are Medically Necessary Contacts Covered?

CEC’s dollar allowance can also be applied toward medically necessary contact lenses, including scleral, hybrid, and rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses for conditions like keratoconus or severe dry eye.

However, most allowances do not cover the full cost of specialty contact lens fittings or materials. Your optometrist can provide an estimate based on your specific condition and plan.

Does Community Eye Care Cover Diabetic Eye Exams?

No. CEC plans cover routine vision exams, but medical eye exams, such as those for diabetes, glaucoma, or ocular disease, are billed to your medical insurance instead.

If you have diabetes, it’s important to schedule annual comprehensive eye exams to monitor for diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of vision loss among adults. Our team at Reflect Vision Care can help determine which insurance should be used for your visit.

Does Community Eye Care Cover LASIK or PRK?

CEC doesn’t cover LASIK or PRK directly, but members receive an exclusive $900 discount through TLC Laser Eye Centers, one of the nation’s most trusted LASIK networks.

This partnership gives you access to significant savings on refractive surgery as an added perk of your CEC membership.

Additional Benefits Patients Should Know

Flexible use: Apply your allowance toward glasses, contacts, sunglasses, or lens upgrades.
Extensive provider network: Access doctors across all 50 states, including independent practices and major optical chains.
Transparent coverage: One clear allowance amount—no confusing tiers or hidden fees.
Online shopping: Use your benefits through CEC’s partnership with Coastal for added convenience.
Preventive focus: Annual eye exams help detect early changes in vision and overall eye health.

Why Choose Community Eye Care for Your Vision Benefits?

CEC stands out for its simplicity, flexibility, and transparency. Whether you prefer a local optometrist or a national retailer, CEC gives you the freedom to choose where to use your benefits, without complicated restrictions.

At Reflect Vision Care, we’re proud to be a participating CEC provider, offering advanced technology, friendly service, and a personalized approach to your eye care needs.

Schedule Your Community Eye Care Eye Exam Today

Ready to use your Community Eye Care benefits? Our team at Reflect Vision Care is here to help you maximize your coverage and experience modern, patient-centered eye care.

Schedule your eye exam at one of our convenient locations:

📞 Call us or schedule online to book your appointment today!