STATE VISION CARE PROGRAM BAM Section 1200 Active
STATE VISION CARE PROGRAM BAM Section 1200 Active Employees and Retirees/Annuitants Presenter: Lisa Hatten Cal. HR, Program Manager
LEARNING OBJECTIVES • • • Discuss the vision plans for actives and retirees Describe vision plan eligibility Identify vision plan benefit summaries Understand enrollment policies and procedures Discuss the appeal process
GENERAL INFORMATION California Department of Human Resources (Cal. HR) administers the contract between the State and the current vision carrier, Vision Service Plan (VSP).
ELIGIBILITY (Basic and Premier) State employees designated: Rank and file, Managerial, Supervisory, Confidential All other employees excluded from collective bargaining Constitutional Officers Employees of the Judicial Council, Supreme, Appellate & Superior Court Judges
Bargaining Unit 6 - Rank and File California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) has vision coverage through their union benefits trust. Rank and File in BU 6 (R 06) are not eligible to enroll in the State's Vision Program as an active employee. Upon retirement, R 06 employees are eligible for the state Retiree Vision Program. Personnel office should offer these individuals the state Retiree Vision Program at retirement. Please contact CCPOA for any R 06 Vision Inquiries.
BASIC VISION PLAN for Active Employees
Basic Plan Enrollment (Active Employees) Enrollment for eligible employees and their eligible dependents is automatic (in most cases). Premiums are paid 100% by the employer SCO does not transmit dependent data
Basic Plan Enrollment (Active Employees) STD 700 to State Controller’s Office: Permanent- Intermittent employees who meet eligibility requirements must complete Vision Plan Authorization (STD. 700) form to enroll. Personnel officer must send original form to State Controller’s Office (SCO). A permanent-intermittent employee who does not meet the required hours. STD 700 must be processed to cancel.
Effective Dates (Basic and Premier Plan) Basic vision enrollment is effective based on when the personnel office keys the Personnel Action Request (PAR) document into SCO payroll system. Effective date–first of following month if employee PAR is keyed by the 10 th of month. Effective date is first of second month if PAR keyed after the 10 th. Eligible dependents are automatically enrolled in basic vision at same time employee’s enrollment becomes effective. *Continued on next page*
Effective Dates (Basic and Premier Plan) Premier vision coverage is effective the first of the month following the pay period in which the employee’s earning statement shows the employer contribution and the employee’s contribution. This process may take a couple of pay periods to process.
Effective Dates (Basic and Premier Plan) Basic Plan enrollment must process before the enrollment for Premier can be keyed at VSP. If the employee enrolls their family members, the entire family must also be enrolled in Premier. The Premier Plan requires a 12 -month minimum enrollment (unless an eligible permitting event occurs).
Basic Vision Plan Benefit Plan Summary Exam Once every calendar year Lenses Once every calendar year Frames Once every calendar year Lens Options tints/photochromics (Transitions) Frames up to $75; $95 on featured frames Contact Lenses up to $110 for eye exam, contacts and contact lens exam (fitting and evaluation)
BASIC VISION PLAN PREMIUMS Ø The State is responsible for payment of the monthly premium ($8. 64) for the Basic Vision Plan. Ø Family coverage included
PREMIER VISION PLAN for Active Employees
Enrollment (Active Employees) During Open Enrollment (OE), all eligible active employees receive materials at their home address from Cal. HR/VSP offering employees the opportunity to enroll in Premier. 2017 OE – in the fall (Sept/Oct) All premier enrollments, changes, cancellations are done through VSP during the OE period. NOTE: Employees enroll directly with VSP.
Vision Plan 2017 Plan design remains the same Rates remain the same
Enrollment (Active Employees) 1 New hires/newly eligible employees may enroll within 60 days of eligibility through their personnel office using the Premier Vision Enrollment (Cal. HR 774) form. Please refer to BAM section 1200 for Permitting Event Codes.
Enrollment (Active Employees) 2 Enrollment Process For New Hires/Newly Eligible: 1. Cal. HR 774 form must be completed by employee then turned into the employee’s personnel office. 2. Personnel office will complete section D of the form then fax or mail Cal. HR 774 form directly to VSP. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be sure employee’s Personnel Action Request (PAR) has been keyed and that employee is showing basic vision deduction/employer contribution prior to sending Premier form to VSP.
Enrollment of Dependents If employee elects the Premier plan, any eligible dependent(s) who need vision coverage must also be added at the time of enrollment. Important Note: Employees are unable to enroll themselves in premier and leave dependents in basic.
12 -Month Minimum Enrollment (Active Employees in Premier) Employees will be required to maintain their enrollment for a 12 -month minimum enrollment period. Employees do not have to re-enroll as enrollment is continuous. Note: Cancellation of premier may only happen during open enrollment AFTER employee has reached the 12 -month minimum enrollment (unless a permitting event occurs)
How to Enroll a P. I. employee into Premier Vision STEP ONE: Send original STD. 700 Vision Enrollment Form to SCO STEP TWO: Fax or Mail Cal. HR 774 Premier Vision Enrollment Form to VSP
Premier Vision Plan Benefit Plan Summary Exam Once every calendar year Lenses Once every calendar year Frames Once every calendar year Lens Options tints/photochromics (Transitions) Frames up to $200; $220 on featured frames Costco Frames Contact Lenses up to $110 up to $200 for contacts & contact lens exam (fitting & evaluation)
Premier Plan Premiums as of 1/1/17 Monthly Premier Vision Plan premiums, including employer/employee shares: Employer Share Employee Share Total PC 1: $8. 64 $8. 84 $17. 48 PC 2: $8. 64 $17. 68 $26. 32 PC 3: $8. 64 $28. 46 $37. 10
COPAYMENTS (Active and Retiree Plans) Exam $10. 00 Lenses and/or Frame $25. 00 Premier Copayments 1. Polycarbonate lenses $15. 00 2. Premium progressive lenses $40 - $120
Send Cal. HR 774 Form to VSP Please send completed Cal. HR 774 directly to VSP. Vision Service Plan Attn: Client Services MS 315 PO Box 997100 Sacramento, CA 95899 -9986 or Fax: (916) 463. 9031
Retiree Vision Plans At the time of retirement, newly eligible retirees must enroll through their personnel office. Any changes made after retirement due to a permitting event, or during an open enrollment period, retirees must enroll directly through VSP. A retiring employee already enrolled in the Basic or Premier plan at the time of retirement may elect to continue their vision plan through COBRA for up to 18 months. Please complete the Cal. HR 695 form and check the box for “COBRA” then send the form directly to VSP.
Appearance of Premier Vision Plan on Pay Warrant Stub-Active Employees Co. Ben Employees The $8. 64 state contribution is part of the Co. Ben allowance. When an employee is enrolled into the Premier Vision Plan, the $8. 64 is still present in the allowance and $8. 64 is still paid to VSP as the employer share of this plan. The balance or employee share (PC 1 $8. 84, PC 2 $17. 68, or PC 3 $28. 46) is reported as a separate miscellaneous deduction. Both deductions are itemized on the warrant stub to verify the deductions occurred and paid to VSP.
Appearance of the Premier Vision Deduction on the Pay Warrant Stub. Non-Co. Ben Employees The $8. 64 state contribution is still paid for by the state. When an employee is enrolled in the Premier Vision Plan, the $8. 64 is still present as the employer contribution and $8. 64 is still paid to VSP as the employer share of this plan. The balance or employee share (1 Party $8. 84, 2 Party $17. 68, or 3 Party $28. 46) is reported as a separate miscellaneous deduction. Both deductions are itemized on the warrant stub to verify the deductions occurred and paid to VSP.
State of California Group Plan Numbers Active Employees Basic Vision Plan – 30052011 Premier Vision Plan – 30034581 Retirees Basic Vision Plan – 30052010 Premier Vision Plan - 30058000
SCO Vision Deduction Codes Basic 475 -001 (Non-Coben) 475 -002 (Coben) Premier 361 -475
Vision Plan Premiums as of 1/1/17 COBRA Basic Vision PC 1: $8. 81 PC 2: $8. 81 PC 3: $8. 81 COBRA Premier Vision PC 1: $17. 83 PC 2: $26. 85 PC 3: $37. 84 Retiree/Annuitant–Basic Vision Plan PC 1: $7. 53 PC 2: $14. 62 PC 3: $15. 73 Retiree/Annuitant–Premier Plan Vision Plan PC 1: $20. 40 PC 2: $40. 35 PC 3: $43. 89
RETIREE/ANNUITANT VISION PLANS
GENERAL INFORMATION (Retiree/Annuitant) The State of California Retiree Vision Program offers vision benefits to eligible State of California retirees/annuitants, eligible survivors, and their dependents. Retirees have two plans to choose from, the basic and premier. The Retiree Vision plans (and COBRA) must be offered to eligible retirees upon retirement by their employing agency.
Retiree Vision Basic Plan Benefit Plan Summary Exam Once every calendar year Lenses Once every calendar year Frames Once every calendar year Lens Options tints/photochromics (Transitions) Frames up to $75 Contact Lenses up to $110 for eye exam, contacts and contact lens exam (fitting and evaluation)
Retiree Vision Premier Plan Benefit Plan Summary Exam Once every calendar year Lenses Once every calendar year Frames Once every calendar year Lens Options tints/photochromics (Transitions) Frames up to $200 Costco Frames Contact Lenses up to $110 up to $200 for contacts & contact lens exam (fitting & evaluation)
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (Retiree/Annuitant) A civil service employee of the state. An elected member of the Legislature. A Legislative employee A constitutional officer. An employee, judge or justice of the judicial branch of state government.
OPEN ENROLLMENT/MINIMUM ENROLLMENT Open Enrollment is usually every September or October for retirees to enroll or to make changes to their plan. Any changes made during Open Enrollment are effective the following January 1 st Open Enrollment is Sept/Oct each fall. There is a 12 -month minimum enrollment period Retirees do not have to re-enroll as enrollment is continuous
DIRECT PAYMENTS OF PREMIUMS The first 2 -3 months of retiree vision premiums are direct billed through VSP. If there are insufficient funds to make a deduction through a retirement warrant, VSP will direct-bill the retiree for the cost of the premiums. California State Teachers’ Retirement System (Cal. STRS) retirees are direct billed, as they are a select group without an implemented payment deduction system.
How To Use The VSP Plan Eligible member/dependent may choose to receive vision care services from a VSP Network Provider or other licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist or optician.
Easy as 1 -2 -3 1. Select a VSP doctor. 2. Make an appointment. 3. The doctor and VSP will handle the rest. If member/dependent needs help locating a doctor, they may call VSP toll-free at: 1 (800) 877. 7195 or they can logon to VSP’s website at: www. vsp. com
Send Cal. HR 695 to VSP Please send completed Cal. HR 695 directly to VSP. Vision Service Plan Attn: Client Services MS 315 PO Box 997100 Sacramento, CA 95899 -9986 or Fax: (916) 463. 9031
APPEALS Please send vision enrollment appeals to: vision@calhr. ca. gov Department of Human Resources (Cal. HR) Benefits Division Attn: Vision Program 1515 S Street, North Bldg, Ste 500 Sacramento, CA 95811 -7258 Or Fax (855) 530 -6599
CONTACT INFORMATION Cal. HR – Vision Program Phone (916) 322. 0300 Email vision@calhr. ca. gov
QUESTIONS
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