Update on new vision care plan and discount plan for retirees
CLEVELAND, January 8 — In November, the BLET National Division announced that an improved vision care plan would begin in early 2013 for certain members. As a part of the new program, a no-cost Discount Plan is being offered to retirees. Information on the early retiree Discount Plan is now available here.
While the Discount Plan is not a part of the Railroad Employees National Vision Plan, it provides early retirees with savings on eye exams and material purchases at an EyeMed provider location.
As of January 1, 2013, the Railroad Employees National Vision Plan will be managed by EyeMed Vision instead of VSP. There will be no changes to the Plan design, but there will be several enhancements:
• A larger national network consisting of both independent and retail-affiliated providers, including five of the top six most preferred national retailers (LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical and JC Penny Optical);
• Employees will now receive plan ID cards;
• Greater member discounts (40% versus the current 30%) on complete second pair purchases. There are no restrictions on how often or where a member can use the EyeMed additional pairs discount feature (applies at all in-network locations at any time); and
• During the first plan year (2013), each member can receive a $60 discount on non-prescription Ray-Ban polarized sunglasses at a participating provider. Visit the “store locator” at www.rayban.com to locate a participating provider.
Members should have received a post card from EyeMed announcing the change from VSP to EyeMed some time in November. It is expected members will be mailed new ID cards in late January along with information on participating providers and a Summary of Benefits.
Finally, EyeMed has provided a five-page flyer with specific information regarding the new plan. The flyer includes an important Q&A regarding the transition from VSP to EyeMed as well as EyeMed’s Summary of Benefits. The PDF is available here on the BLET website.
For further information on this and other health care related topics, please visit:
www.rrinfodepot.com.
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
bentley@ble.org
