United Health Care is a major insurer covering 45 million people worldwide. They offer plans through employers as well as Medicare plans and Medicare supplements. United Health Care is a medical insurance that eye care practitioners can bill for medical eye problems.
United Health Care also operates its own affiliated vision plan called Spectera. Patients who are signed up with United Health Care and seek additional vision plan coverage are given the option of becoming Spectera members. Having this additional vision-specific coverage will help offset the cost of routine eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses.
Eye care practitioners do not need to be credentialed with United Health Care prior to becoming credentialed with Spectera. They are separate entities.
Here's how to register as a provider with Spectera.
Step 1: Complete the introductory requirements
In order to become a United Health Care provider, you must:
- Get your optometry license (see our guide that gives step-by-step instructions on how to get your optometry license in each state)
- Find a place to practice
- Get liability insurance
- Obtain your NPI number
- Begin the Medicare enrollment process (see our 41 Step Guide to Become a Medicare Provider w/ Screenshots)
- Register with CAQH
See this in-depth guide for additional guidance on satisfying these core requirements. You’ll need to satisfy these requirements to become a provider with nearly every medical or vision plan.
Step 2: Complete the plan-specific requirements
- Visit UHC website
- Get started: submit request for participation
- Get credentialed: verify experience
- Get contracted: review and sign participation agreement
- Get connected: complete online training

Now, wait to receive confirmation from UHC, and begin the credentialing process for the next insurance on your list.
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Step-by-step credentialing guides
The credentialing process for different insurance plans varies quite a bit. Some plans are relatively simple and others require much more work. The below guides walk you through the process for the most common vision and medical insurance plans.
- 41 Step Guide to Become a Medicare Provider w/ Screenshots
- How Optometrists join Medicare as an Independent Contractor 1099
- The Complete Medicare Resource List
- How to Become an AETNA Provider
- How to Become an AlwaysCare Provider
- How to Become a Blue Shield of California Provider
- How to Become a Davis Vision Provider
- How to Become an EyeBenefits Provider
- How to Become an Eyemed Provider
- How to Become an EyeQuest Provider
- How to Become a FEDVIP Provider
- How to Become a Humana Vision Provider
- How to Become a Humana Medical Provider
- How to Become a Spectera Provider
- How to Become a United Health Care Provider
- How to Become a Vision Plan of America Provider
- How to Become a Vision Benefits of America Provider
- How to Become a VSP Provider