Blue cross blue shield of texas vision insurance

Vision benefits are an easy way for you and your dependents to maintain healthy vision and eyes. All Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) health plans cover an annual eye exam and the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and injuries. GBP health plans do not cover the cost of eyeglasses or contacts. Review your health plan’s covered services for details. State of Texas VisionSM, administered by Superior Vision Services, Inc., offers complete vision coverage to help you save money on eye exams and eyewear.

Table of Contents Show

Plan Benefits
Eligibility and Enrollment
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas cover vision?
Is VSP and MetLife vision the same?
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas have PPO?
Is UnitedHealthcare good for vision?

Plan Benefits

Access to more than 90,000 providers nationwide in the Superior Vision network, including the top 50 optical retail chains
Low copay for annual exam
24/7 access to provider and account information online and through the Superior Vision mobile app

For an overview of vision plan benefits, view A Clear View of Your Vision Benefits.

Note: When using insurance benefits for vision correction or eye care, you can use benefits offered through State of Texas Vision OR the benefits available through your health plan. Benefits cannot be combined.

Eligibility and Enrollment

State of Texas Vision is available to GBP-eligible employees, retirees and dependents. You can enroll in this plan during your first 31 days of employment, during your annual benefits enrollment period or within 31 days of a qualifying life event (QLE).

Did you know that you have vision coverage under both your medical plan and the optional vision plan if enrolled?

The optional vision plan is administered by Superior Vision. It provides coverage for eye exams, eyeglass frames and lenses, and contact lenses. The vision plan also provides discounts on some eye surgeries such as LASIK.

The A&M Care plans and the Graduate Student Employee Health Plan are administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) and also provide coverage for one preventive eye exam per person, per plan year. A copay, if in-network, will apply. These plans do not cover vision correction materials. However, BCBSTX offers discounts on exams, frames, lenses and laser vision services through Davis Vision, Inc. and EyeMed Vision Care.

You may use either your medical plan or your vision plan exam benefit. When determining the best place to get your eye exam, consider where you plan to purchase your lenses or contacts. Upon your request, your physician or optometrist should provide you with your prescription, allowing you to have it filled at the provider of your choice.

An in-network visit to your optometrist may result in the following costs:

• Preventive exam with dilation as necessary – 100% covered after a $20 copay, covered by your medical plan
• Contact lens fit and follow-up – $0 copay
• Contact lenses – $150 retail allowance, if you do not get eyeglass frames and lenses
• Eyeglass Frames and lenses – discounted by Davis Vision or EyeMed Vision Care

Health Care Flexible Spending Account

Did you know that you can use your health care flexible spending account (FSA) dollars to purchase prescription eyeglasses, prescription contact lenses and prescription sunglasses? These funds can be used for the portion of the expense not paid by insurance such as copays or amounts over the allowance. File a claim or use your FSA debit care when you need new glasses!

RICHARDSON – Focused on increasing access to quality care to Medicare beneficiaries, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is offering more options for health care coverage that provides them additional choice, optimized networks, flexibility and affordability. During this annual open enrollment period, BCBSTX is expanding access to its Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MAPD). Beginning today through December 7, Medicare eligible individuals can enroll in Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (HMO)SM; Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (PPO)SM; or Blue Cross MedicareRx (PDP)SM prescription drug plans for a January 1, 2017, effective date.

This coverage expansion, approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), builds upon BCBSTX's existing Medicare coverage areas and is part of the company's ongoing commitment to providing greater flexibility and increasing access to health care throughout the state. Blue Cross Medicare Advantage will now be available with both HMO and PPO networks products in Houston, El Paso and South Texas areas.

BCBSTX's MAPD products include features such as lower cost sharing, enhanced network options and benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, travel benefits, local transportation and worldwide emergency care. For 2017, we are also offering online and educational resources for members to learn about the benefits available through their plan, including a 24/7 nurse line. MAPD members are also eligible for the BCBSTX incentive program that rewards members for keeping up-to-date with preventive screenings and the SilverSneakers®† Fitness Program, which encourages physical activity through fitness center memberships and social events at no additional cost.

"Delivering choice and quality care through our Medicare Advantage plans is only part of the equation – we want to ensure our members are receiving quality customer experience, seamless care tied directly to their primary care physician and improved overall wellness for a lifetime," said Dr. Esteban López, chief medical officer and market president for BCBSTX. "Supporting our members in sickness and in health is paramount, which is why our plans incorporate holistic care options such as in-home care, educational resources and well-being benefits like the SilverSneakers® program."

BCBSTX's 2017 prescription drug plans (PDP) offer lower monthly premiums, reduced cost-sharing at preferred pharmacies, an expansive formulary of generic and brand prescription drugs and access to 65,0001+ network pharmacies nationwide2. The plans include different coverage levels to support the changing needs and lifestyles of the Medicare eligible population, including three plans offering prescription drug copays for some generics as low as $0.

For more information about enrolling, visit getbluetx.com/mapd or call our customer service number at 1-888-697-0683 (TTY/TDD: 711) from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., local time, 7 days a week to speak to a licensed agent. If you are calling from February 15 through September 30, alternate technologies (for example, voicemail) will be used on weekends and holidays.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

Blue Cross®, Blue Shield® and the Cross and Shield Symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

The SilverSneakers(R)† Fitness program is a wellness program owned and operated by Healthways, Inc., an independent company.

Healthways and SilverSneakers are registered trademarks of Healthways, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

Medicare Advantage Plan Notice:

HMO and HMO-POS plans available in Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Cameron, Chambers, El Paso, Fort Bend, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Jefferson, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange, Webb, Willacy and Williamson counties.

PPO plans available in Bastrop, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Chambers, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Fayette, Fort Bend, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Jefferson, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson counties.

Plans provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, which refers to HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC) (PPO plans), and GHS Insurance Company (GHS) (HMO and HMO-POS plans). HISC and GHS are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HISC and GHS are Medicare Advantage organizations with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in HISC's and GHS' plans depends on contract renewal.

Medicare Part D Plan Notice:

Prescription drug plan is provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, which refers to HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC), an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. A Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in HCSC's plan depends on contract renewal.

Plan information is available for free in other languages. Please call our customer service number at 1-888-697-0683 (TTY/TDD: 711) from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., local time, 7 days a week. If you are calling from February 15 through September 30, alternate technologies (for example, voicemail) will be used on weekends and holidays.

Esta información está disponible en otros idiomas de forma gratuita. Comuníquese a nuestro número de Servicio al cliente al 1-866-886-0282 (los usuarios de TTY/TDD deben llamar al 711). Nuestro horario es de 8:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m., hora local, los 7 días de la semana. Si usted llama del 15 de febrero al 30 de septiembre, durante los fines de semana y feriados, se usarán tecnologías alternas (por ejemplo, correo de voz).

The provider network may change at any time. Members will receive notice when necessary.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) – the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas – is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and 500 hospitals to serve 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
BCBSTX.com | Twitter.com/BCBSTX | Facebook.com/BlueCrossBlueShieldOfTexas | YouTube.com/BCBSTX

1 This list and data are accurate as of the date this release was published. This list is subject to change without advanced notice. For the most current information, please visit getbluetx.com/mapd.
2 Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat BCBSTX members, except in emergency situations. For a decision about whether we will cover an out-of-network service, we encourage you or your provider to ask us for a pre-service organization determination before you receive the service. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas cover vision?

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) vision plans can help you save on eye care costs. You'll gain savings that may help you pay for things like: Eye exam (with dilation as needed) Frames.

Is VSP and MetLife vision the same?

VSP is not affiliated with MetLife or its affiliates.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas have PPO?

BCBSTX offers a variety of PPO plans with varying deductible, coinsurance and copay amount options. All plans include an outpatient prescription drug benefit with either a three-tier or four-tier pharmacy copay design.

Is UnitedHealthcare good for vision?

UnitedHealthcare Vision Insurance: At a glance UnitedHealthcare Vision is a relatively strong choice for vision benefits. It has a national network of more than 80,000 vision providers and offers coverage for all of the things that you'd expect, including visits to the optometrist, frames, lenses, and contacts.