MINNETONKA, Minn.—UnitedHealthcare Vision announced today that it will launch a national laboratory network “to better serve eyecare professionals and meet the needs of our members,” according to a statement by the company. “UnitedHealthcare Vision is expanding to a national laboratory network and has selected Essilor Labs as its supplier, helping better serve eyecare professionals and more effectively meet the needs of our more than 19 million vision plan participants. To help facilitate this expansion, Spectera Vision Laboratory will join the Essilor Lab Network later this year,” Tom Wiffler, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits, said in a statement. Spectera Vision Laboratory is UnitedHealthcare Vision’s full-service lab in Baltimore, Md.

"We are excited that UnitedHealthcare Vision wants to give their eyecare providers more choice and access, and we’re happy they’ve chosen Essilor to help them in this effort," remarked Steve Nussbaumer, senior vice president key accounts, Essilor of America.

UnitedHealthcare Vision will release details about its new lab network launch in the coming months, a spokesperson for the company told VMAIL.