New Vision Plan Administrator

Effective 1/1/07, the New York State Vision Plan will be administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. EyeMed has an extensive network of eye care providers throughout New York state and nationwide. The EyeMed network includes independent practitioners as well as optical retailers LensCrafters, Target Optical, Sears Optical, JCPenney Optical, and most Pearle Vision locations. There is no change in negotiated vision benefits, which are covered in Article 9.25 of the 2003-2007 PS&T Contract.

Empire Vision Centers and Davis Vision Centers are not in the EyeMed network, although other providers in the Davis Vision network may participate with EyeMed. If your current vision care provider is interested in becoming an EyeMed network provider, s/he should contact EyeMed at 888-581-3648.

Enrollees will receive an EyeMed brochure with details about the benefit and two ID cards, plus information on how to reach the EyeMed web site, and a listing of the closest network providers in mid-December. A vision benefit book will also be mailed to all enrollees by 12/20/06.

The EyeMed Customer Care Center will begin accepting calls in late December. The toll-free phone number is 877-226-1412. The hours of the Customer Care Center are

Monday through Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. EST, and Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST.

More information about the transition to EyeMed will be available in January at  www.pef.org.