Vision Plan Improvements on the Way

Beginning January 1^st, PEF-represented employees will see some significant improvements to the vision plan.  These improvements were negotiated in the 2007-2011 PS&T contract.

We took one step forward when the 90-day purchase period for dress eyewear was implemented on July 1, 2008.  Prior to this change, members had to purchase their dress eyewear on the same date as their vision exam.  This requirement made it difficult for members to do any comparison shopping before actually purchasing their eyeglasses.  While the 90-day purchase period did not initially apply to occupational eyeglasses, the state has agreed to extend the 90-day purchase period to include occupational eyeglasses effective January 1, 2009.

Now, we’re going to add to this first step by making some significant improvements to the level of benefits.  The allowance for eyeglass frames is increasing from $100 to $130.  This will provide members with more “paid-in-full” frames from which to choose.  Members who choose standard polycarbonate and/or standard progressive (commonly referred to as no-line bifocal) lenses will be pleased to know that these lens options will now be paid-in-full.  There will also be some minimal increases to the allowances members receive if they purchase their eyewear from a non-network provider.

Finally, we’ve made an improvement to the Medical Exception Program (MEP) that eliminates a major source of frustration for those who need an annual vision exam due to a medical condition.  Previously, the Plan would only provide benefits for the exam if there was a “significant change” in the patient’s vision.  Since the patient would not know if there had been a “significant change” until the exam had actually been performed, the patient would have to pay the full cost of the exam if there had not been a “significant change”.  Beginning 1/1/09, the MEP exam will be covered regardless of whether the patient’s vision has changed or not.