Washington, DC – Today, the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority (HBX) announced that DC Health Link is now providing its customers access to individual vision insurance plans through a partnership with Vision Service Plan (VSP). By giving District residents this option, DC Health Link becomes one of a few state-based marketplaces to offer its customers access to stand-alone vision plans.

“We’re excited to be able to provide this option to our customers,” said Mila Kofman, J.D., Executive Director of the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority. “Vision coverage is no longer only an option if you work for a large company, it is now available to DC Health Link individual customers.”

VSP is offering DC Health Link customers the option of two vision insurance plans for individuals and their families. VSP is the largest not-for-profit vision insurance plan in America and covers nearly 60 million customers in the United States, including many District residents. Enrollment for vision insurance is available year-round.

To see VSP plans available to DC Health Link customers, click here.

n addition to expanding access to new health coverage products, in September, DC Health Link launched DC Health Link Plan Match, a consumer decision support tool that empowers customers to make more informed decisions by comparing plans based on current and future medical needs. Earlier in 2015, DC Health Link launched a Doctor Directory, a critical tool that helps customers easily find doctors in participating plans.

Federal Guidelines issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services prevent state based marketplaces from enrolling customers directly into supplemental benefit plans, other than dental plans. As a result, District residents who choose to purchase a vision plan will learn about the plans on DCHealthLink.com, but will be transferred to VSP's online enrollment system to complete their purchase.