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VISION BENEFITS

Vision plans are pretty basic.  These will subsidize the cost of an exam and the hardware for either eyeglasses or contact lenses each year (may be calendar or plan year depending on the carrier).  The premium cost is relatively low and even lower with a Section 125 Premium Only Plan (POP).
 
Companies have the option to offer vision benefits on a voluntary basis so only the employees who want to pay for vision benefits will be enrolled.  But depending on your vision insurance company, the carrier may impose a waiting period for employees who enroll outside of their open enrollment period when they were hired.      


Assessment Questions

  • Does your vision plan have an open enrollment period?  Most do not meaning employees who do not enroll when eligible will not be able to enroll late (even on the anniversary date of the plan, without (1) a qualifying event, or (2) an impairment rider requiring a waiting period.

 

  • Vision plans allow for either eyeglasses or contacts in the same calendar (sometime plan year).  But some plans will cover a frame and a set of contacts in the same plan year if the member purchases the eyeglass lenses.

 

  • There is an additional charge added to the exam benefit when getting a contact lens exam for lens fitting.  

 

  • Do you and your broker follow the HIPAA and HITECH regulations regarding electronic transmission of Protected Health Information?  Are you emailing Social Security numbers and sensitive health information?

 

  • Does your broker regularly educate you and your employees on the details of your plans?

 

  • Does your broker resolve your claims issues?

For more information, please contact Bridgeport Benefit Advisors.
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The material on this page is intended as general descriptions of the concepts presented.  It is for educational purposes only and it not intended to provide specific financial or tax advice.  These descriptions cannot take into account your specific conditions and situation including the data required for underwriting purposes, financial circumstances, risk tolerance, and other factors.