As a regular full-time faculty or staff member, you may choose to enroll in the Penn State Vision Plan for yourself and for your eligible dependents. The Vision Plan is administered by National Vision Administrators (NVA), which offers vision care benefits through a nationwide network of qualified providers. As an alternative to NVA participating providers, you may use any eye care specialist.
You can locate NVA providers in your area by calling 800-672-7723 or by checking the NVA website.
NVA also offers access to an in-network benefit for Lasik eye surgery. The participating providers offer a 15% discount for Lasik surgery. You can view the list of participating Lasik surgery providers on the NVA web site.
| Rates | Total Cost | Employer Monthly | Employee Monthly | Employee Biweekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee | $3.92 | $3.13 | $.78 | $.36 |
| Employee and Spouse or Child(ren) | $7.83 | $5.80 | $2.04 | $.94 |
| Family | $11.78 | $8.72 | $3.06 | $1.41 |
NOTE: Charges for lenses and frames for children under fourteen years of age will be considered each calendar year.
NVA also provides access to discounted mail-order service for contact lenses that can be used without limitation and regardless of benefit availability in a given year. You may learn more about Contact Fill from their website.
| BENEFIT | IN NETWORK | OUT-OF-NETWORK REIMBURSEMENT 1 |
|---|---|---|
| FREQUENCY | ||
| Eye examination (including dilation, as professionally indicated) | Once every calendar year | |
| Eyeglass lenses | Once every calendar year under age 19/Once every two calendar years 19 or older | |
| Frames | Once every two calendar years | |
| Contact lenses (in lieu of eyeglass lenses) | Once every calendar year under age 19/Once every two calendar years 19 or older | |
| EYE EXAMINATION | ||
| including dilation as professionally indicated | $15 copayment | Up to $40 allowance |
| FRAMES | ||
| Fashion level frames from “The Collection” | Covered In Full | |
| Designer level frames from “The Collection” | $20 copayment | |
| Premier level frames from “The Collection” | $40 copayment | |
| Retail allowance towards a provider’s frame | Up to $60 allowance | Up to $30 allowance |
| STANDARD EYEGLASS LENSES 2 (per pair) | ||
| Single vision | Covered In Full | Up to $35 allowance |
| Bifocal | Covered In Full | Up to $40 allowance |
| Trifocal | Covered In Full | Up to $50 allowance |
| Lenticular | Covered In Full | Up to $72 allowance |
| OPTIONAL EYEGLASS LENSES (per pair) | Member Cost | |
| Standard progressive lenses 3 | $50 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Premium progressive lenses 3 | $90 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Glass Grey #3 prescription sunglasses | $11 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Polycarbonate lenses | ||
| Adult 4 | $30 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Dependent Children | ||
| Single vision Polycarbonate lenses (in lieu of single vision lenses) | Covered In Full | Not Covered |
| Bifocal Polycarbonate lenses (in lieu of bifocal lenses) | Covered In Full | Not Covered |
| Trifocal Polycarbonate lenses (in lieu of trifocal lenses) | Covered In Full | Not Covered |
| Blended segment lenses | $20 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Intermediate vision lenses | $30 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Glass photochromic lenses | $20 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Plastic photosensitive lenses | $65 discounted price | Not Covered |
| High-index (thinner and lighter) lenses | $55 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Polarized lenses | $75 discounted price | Not Covered |
| OPTIONAL EYEGLASS LENS COATINGS/TREATMENTS | Member Cost | |
| Fashion, sun or gradient tinted plastic lenses | $11 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Ultraviolet coating | $12 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Scratch-resistant coating | $20 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Standard ARC (anti-reflective coating) | $35 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Premium ARC (anti-reflective coating) | $48 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Ultra ARC (anti-reflective coating) | $60 discounted price | Not Covered |
| CONTACT LENSES 5 (in lieu of eyeglass lenses – per pair or initial supply of disposable contact lenses) | ||
|
Contact lens evaluation and fitting
Daily Wear |
Covered in full when formulary contact lenses are prescribed | Not Covered |
| Extended Wear | Covered in full when formulary contact lenses are prescribed | Not Covered |
| Formulary 6 / Nonforumulary | ||
| Standard daily wear contact lenses | Covered In Full/ Up to $90 allowance 7 | Up to $90 allowance |
| Specialty contact lenses | Covered In Full/ Up to $90 allowance 7 | Up to $90 allowance |
| Disposable contact lenses | Covered In Full/ Up to $90 allowance 7 | Up to $90 allowance |
| Medically necessary contact lenses (prior approval required) | Up to $225 allowance | |
| LOW VISION SERVICES | ||
| Evaluation – one visit every 5 years (prior approval required) | Up to $300 allowance per visit | |
| Follow-up visits – up to four follow-up visits every 5 years | Up to $100 allowance per visit | |
| Low vision aids | Up to $600 allowance per aid / $1,200 allowance lifetime maximum | |
Call Member Service Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time (EST) at 1-800-223-4795 (TTY users call 1-800-523-2847) for pre-enrollment information, to find a network provider, ask benefit questions, verify eligibility or request an out-of-network provider reimbursement form.
Replacement contact lens program—Highmark offers a contact lens replacement program to members. Call 1-800-LENS-123 or visit www.LENS123.com with a current prescription.
Information about laser vision correction services—You are entitled to savings of up to 25% off the provider’s charge, or a 5% discount on any advertised special through a network of credentialed physicians affiliated with Eye Centers of Excellence. (Some centers provide a flat fee equating to these discount levels.)
Eyeglass warranty—Highmark provides an unconditional breakage warranty to repair or replace plan eyewear manufactured in a Davis Vision laboratory for one year from the initial date of delivery.
Additional spectacle eyewear and disposable contact lens discounts—You are entitled to a 20 % discount on the purchase of additional frames and/or spectacle lenses. Members receive a 10% discount on additional disposable contact lenses.
Frame benefit—You may choose from “The Collection” in most independent network provider offices or a program allowance will be applied toward a network provider’s own frames. Many Collection frames are covered in full or have a nominal copayment which helps you select high-quality frames, while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses. Network retail providers typically do not display “The Collection”. You may visit our Web site, www.highmarkblueshield.com, to locate a provider who offers “The Collection”. You will instead be given a program allowance toward your frame purchase. If the chosen frame exceeds the allowance, you will be responsible for any remaining balance.
Contact lenses benefit—Contact lenses may be selected in lieu of eyeglasses. No copayment applies towards the initial supply of formulary contact lenses (many of the most popular standard, soft daily wear; disposable or planned replacement) including fitting/follow-up charges. A program allowance will be applied toward contact lenses from the provider’s own supply (which may or may not include fitting/follow-up charges). Program allowances will be applied for both contact lenses and contact lens fitting/follow-up charges. At a network retail location, you will receive an allowance toward the cost of lenses from the retailer’s supply. With prior approval, medically necessary contact lenses will be covered in full at all network provider locations.
Low vision services—You and your covered dependents are entitled to a comprehensive low vision evaluation once every five years and low vision aids up to the plan maximum. Up to four follow-up visits will be covered during the five-year period.
Exclusions—This vision program excludes coverage for certain items and services, including: medical treatment of eye disease or injury; vision therapy; special lens designs or coatings other than those previously described; replacement of lost or stolen eyewear; non-prescription (plano) lenses; and services not performed by licensed personnel.
Network providers—The Davis Vision provider network is being used through a contractual arrangement between Davis Vision and Highmark. Davis Vision is an independent company that manages a network of licensed vision providers in both private practice and retail locations.
Network retail locations—In order to provide you with the greatest amount of flexibility and convenience, the network includes a number of retail establishments. Benefits at the retail locations may vary slightly from other locations, as noted in this benefit description. However, your value is comparable.
Locating a network provider—To find a network provider, go to www.highmarkblueshield.com and click on “find a vision network provider.” Click “OK” to be redirected to the Davis Vision, Inc. Web site. Enter your zip code and mile radius then click on “Search” to see the most current listing of providers that will accept your vision plan.
Receiving services from a network provider:—(1) Call the network provider of your choice and schedule an appointment. (2) Identify yourself as a Highmark member, or eligible dependent, in a vision plan administered by Davis Vision. (3) Provide the office with your identification (ID) number (located on your Highmark ID card), and the name and birth date of the covered dependent receiving services. The provider’s office will verify your eligibility for services.
| CONTACT LENS FORMULARY* | ||
| TYPE | LENS | MANUFACTURER |
|
Daily Wear
Includes two lenses. With proper handling and care, these lenses will last up to approximately one year.
|
Cooper Clear DW
Z4 Sofblue Z6 Sofblue Silver 07 |
Cooper / OSI
Cooper / OSI Cooper / OSI Cooper / OSI |
|
Planned Replacement
Includes two boxes. Due to their extended wearing features, these resilient lenses can last up to approximately one year depending on the provider-recommended wearing schedule.
|
Purevision (Silicon Hydrogel)
Proclear Compatibles Frequency 38 Frequency 55 |
Bausch & Lomb®
Cooper / OSI Cooper / OSI Cooper / OSI |
|
Disposable
Includes four boxes, which
equates to approximately a six‑month supply.
|
Soflens 38 (6 pack)
Focus Dailies (30 Pack) Encore Premium O2 Optix Cooper Clear FW Biomedics XC (Silicon Hydrogel) Biomedics 38 Biomedics 55 Clear Site (1-Day 30 pack) Freshlook LT Acuvue Acuvue 2 Acuvue Advance 1-Day Acuvue |
Bausch & Lomb®
CIBA Vision® CIBA Vision® CIBA Vision® Cooper / OSI Cooper / OSI Cooper / OSI Cooper / OSI Cooper / OSI Cooper / OSI Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson |