America’s preeminent organization for professionals involved in the field of managed vision care, The NAVCP seeks to strengthen the field’s standards and credentialing process, improve access to innovative and beneficial technology, and facilitate constructive communication, among other goals. The NAVCP also provides educational materials that can help members of the general public appreciate the advantages of a health plan that includes vision care.
One of the NAVCP’s primary objectives is to emphasize the importance of regular eye examinations. Individuals who receive infrequent or no examinations at all risk the undetected development of serious visual health issues. Eye exams may also help health care professionals make medical diagnoses as diverse as hypertension and diabetes.
According to a 2016 survey of more than 100,000 eye-care patients, nearly 40 percent of individuals without vision care insurance received a proper eye examination in the last year, whereas more than 60 percent of individuals with vision benefits reported having an exam within the last 12 months. Similarly, only 67 percent of people without vision care insurance expect to receive an eye exam within the next 12 months; however, more than 87 percent of covered individuals plan to have an exam. The survey found that ultimately, individuals without vision care may go up two and a half years without an exam, compared to an average of 19.3 months between exams for those with coverage.