The below post is taken from the Video Blog, the Subject Matter Minute. If it’s a little hard to read, it’s because it’s taken from the spoken word. You can view the episode on YouTube if you would like. Find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzWLKctL1PM
If YouTube is blocked for you or your agency, you can scroll to the bottom of this post to view it from Google Drive.
You can also listen to an audio version: Episode #2: Vision Benefits.
Hey, hey, hey! Welcome to the second episode of the subject matter minute, I’m Matt Nagy. Before I get going on the topic at hand, I want to mention who my subject matter expert was for the last episode. I can’t leave that out… that’s why I named this the Subject Matter Minute! I rely on you folks out there, all the experts in your own field, to get me the information to pass on to the other employees. So, honestly, she might not care because she just retired, literally like last month or maybe two months ago, but in any case, I want to thank Lori Eichheim, who was an HR program supervisor before she decided to run off to better things. Thanks Lori for the information!
Today’s subject matter minute is on vision benefits.
Alright, let’s talk about vision benefits.
First of all, I want to thank my subject matter expert, which really is all of EGI. I didn’t have a specific person I talked to. I was able to get all the information from their website where they have a great training video, brochures, and more. I did email a couple people just to clarify a couple points and they were very helpful and quick, so I want to thank EGI, or employee’s group insurance, for their help.
Alright, so vision benefits. First of all, something you need to know is they are not paid for by the state. This is a side benefit that you can opt into. You can decide to use it, but it’s going to come out of your check. That leads me to the next thing. If you opt-in, it’s a two-year thing. You are required to pay for two years and then if, let’s say you drop out… you are not going to be able to sign back up for two years. I’m sure it’s a financial thing that I don’t understand. Them’s just the rules, ok? Got to know that up front.
What does vision coverage entail? Well, it’s eye exams, it’s glasses, and its contacts. These are the things that are covered. Typically, you’re going to have a copay… I don’t know why they use that word, you know, basically a charge. Let’s start with the exam. You have to get an eye exam before you can get glasses or contacts. That’s going to cost you $10… the co-pay is $10, and the rest is covered.
Let’s say you just want lenses. If you just want lenses you’re going to pay a $25 copay and the rest is covered.
Now let’s just say you just want frames… if you just want frames it’s a $25 copay, and then it’s covered up to $160. Above $160 you will get a 20-percent discount on the rest but the coverage goes to $160. So if you get frames, you know like me, that cost more, you’re going to pay extra. You will get a discount, but you’re going to pay extra.
If you want to get both, which we typically do, our lenses and frames, it’s still just one $25 copay. You will not pay double co-pays. So if you get the whole thing, it’s a $25 copay, and again, they cover up to $160, and then you get a 20-percent discount on the charge above that.
So now let’s talk about contact lenses. For contact lenses there is no copay, and they cover up to $160. Above that, you will have to pay the rest.
I need to back up on glasses… there’s a little twist here. There’s two different plans and it kind of depends on the type of person you are as to which you choose. There’s two plans call Plan B and Plan C… no idea where plan A went. Plan B allows you to get new glasses every 24 months or two years. While plan C allows you to get new glasses every 12 months or one year. So if you’re the kind of person that loses your glasses, steps on them, lets the kids break them in half, whatever, you may need Plan C. Plan C will cost you a little bit more per month.
So, let’s go over using your benefits. First of all, you have to go to certain vision care specialists. You can find out who your local specialists are by going to the VSP website, VSP.com and search for your providers. So, again, if you want to use these benefits you have to go to those providers. You don’t have to have a card or anything, as they can look you up in the system.
So that’s the end of episode number two! Hopefully I made vision benefits clear, and hopefully I didn’t leave anything out. Please contact EGI if you have questions. You can find all the contact info on their website, here: http://ai-hrd.wyo.gov/egi.
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and get the word out, and once again, thanks for watching!
Here is the full episode!