Employee Benefits

VSP Vision Insurance - University of Wisconsin System Employee Benefits

IMPORTANT: OPTUMHEALTH VISION INSURANCE WILL NOT BE OFFERED IN 2010.

A NEW VISION PLAN, VSP, WILL BE AVAILABLE.

The VSP Vision Plan provides partial payment to help you offset the costs of annual eye exams (which are also covered under Uniform Benefits), frames, lenses and contact lenses. It also provides discounted refractive eye surgery at select locations. See the 2010 VSP Brochure for more information.

Information about 2009 Enrollment and Benefits under OptumHealth Vision Insurance.

Eligibility

You must be eligible for immediate or future employer contribution to the State of Wisconsin Health Insurance Program to participate. Unclassified faculty, academic staff and short-term academic staff appointees, classified employees (including LTE's covered by the retirement system), graduate assistants, fellows and scholars and employees in-training are eligible to enroll in this vision plan.

Eligible dependents of these employees may enroll as dependents of the employee. Domestic partners and their children are eligible under this plan.

Rehired annuitants receiving a Wisconsin Retirement System benefit are not eligible for this program.

WRS annuitants who are not covered under VSP at the time of retirement may enroll during the open enrollment period by applying through the Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Enrollment

The initial enrollment period for new employees is 30 days from the employment begin date. Coverage will begin on the first of the month on or after your campus benefits office receives your completed application.

If you do not enroll during your initial enrollment deadline, you may enroll during an open enrollment period. Open enrollment periods are offered annually to coincide with the It's Your Choice health insurance enrollment period.

An application is not yet available online.

Coverage  

If you use a VSP vision provider, this plan will cover:

  • One WellVision exam every calendar year after a $10 copayment.
  • Prescription glasses (you can choose glasses instead of contacts) after a $25 copayment:
    • Any frame of your choice up to $130 is covered after copay every other calendar year, plus 20% of any amount over the allowance.
    • One pair of single vision, lined bifocals and lined trifocals are fully covered after copay every calendar year. Polycarbonate lenses for children are covered when visiting a VSP doctor.
  • Contact lens coverage (you can choose contacts instead of glasses)
    • You have a $105 allowance on your contact lens exam (fitting and evaluation) and contacts every calendar year.
    • No copayment for contacts lenses.
  • Extra discounts and savings when you receive services from a VSP provider:
    • Average 20-25% savings on all non-covered lens options
    • 20% off additional glasses and sunglasses
    • 15% off cost of contact lens exam
    • Average 15% off the regular price or 5% off the promotional price of laser vision correction (discounts available only from contracted facilities)

You may also see a non-VSP vision provider but you will likely experience higher out of pocket costs. You will also have to pay the charges at the time of service and file a claim with VSP within six months to receive reimbursement.

If you use an Out-of-Network provider, the following reimbursement amounts apply:

  • Exam: Up to $40.00
  • Single Vision Lenses: Up to $33.00
  • Lined Bifocal Lenses: Up to $50.00
  • Lined Trifocal Lenses: Up to $66.00
  • Frame: Up to $45.00
  • Contacts: Up to $105.00

If you or your covered family members use a VSP vision provider, simply tell the provider that you have coverage and the provider will confirm eligibility directly with VSP.

To locate a VSP provider near you, go to VSP's online provider search.

View videos at VSP's website about why you may want to enroll in VSP Vision Insurance.

Important Note: If you enroll in VSP Vision Insurance, you must remain in the plan for the remainder of the calendar year. To cancel coverage, you must submit an application to cancel coverage before December 1st. Coverage will end on December 31. Mid-year cancellation is only possible due to termination of employment or death.

Premiums  

The monthly premiums for the VSP Vision Plan are:

Employee Only: $ 5.24
Employee + Spouse/DP: $10.49
Employee + Child(ren): $11.23
Employee + Family: $17.93

Premiums are deducted on pre-tax basis. At this time, due to IRS regulations, the premium for LTEs and employees who enroll with a domestic partner cannot be taken pre-tax.

Premiums are paid one month in advance of the coverage month. For classified, the premiums will be deducted from the A payroll.

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This document was last revised on November 16, 2009

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