Vision Insurance
To keep up with the latest features, be sure to download the newest version of the EyeMed App as older versions will no longer be supported. If you have already created an account, there’s no need to re-register—your existing login info is all you need. Available in the App Store and Google Play Store.
Penn State's vision plan is administered by EyeMed. For questions, contact EyeMed at 833-337-3136.
Vision Plan Coverage - Summary of Benefits
Vision Plan Coverage - Technical Service Vision Plus Summary of Benefits
Features of EyeMed vision coverage:
- Increased allowance for contact lenses and frames to $130 (previous provider: $90). Please note that the benefit is one-time use during the two calendar year period; the entire $130 benefit must be used in one claim otherwise the remaining balance is forfeited.
- Participating providers include; LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, and many independent providers
- When searching online for an in-network provider, select the INSIGHT network
- 40% discount on additional glasses
- Online purchasing at Glasses.com
- 40% discount on hearing exams
- Access to claims and benefits are available via the EyeMed mobile app and online access
Please note that enrolled members do not need an ID card to receive services. In-network providers are able to look enrolled members up in the EyeMed system with name and date of birth. In an effort to "Go Green," EyeMed will only send an initial ID card. After the initial ID card, members can use the EyeMed portal to obtain, download, and/or print a copy of their ID card. Replacement ID cards will no longer be sent.
ELIGIBILITY
Full-time faculty, staff, and technical service members are eligible to enroll in the Penn State Vision Plan. For information about spouse and dependent children eligibility, please see Dependent Eligibility.
Part-time faculty, staff, and technical service members are not eligible to participate in the Penn State Vision Plan.
Postdoctoral appointees: As per postdoctoral eligibility, the per-pay contribution rates follow the same premium schedule as for faculty and staff. For additional information regarding the benefits available to postdoctoral appointees, please contact or visit the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
If you or your dependents are no longer eligible for the vision plan, information will be mailed from Lifetime Benefit Solutions regarding continuing coverage under COBRA. Additional information regarding COBRA benefits can be found on our COBRA website.
Penn State continues to partner with EyeMed for our employees' vision plan. See EyeMed's Summary of Benefits for more details. Contact EyeMed with questions at 833-337-3136.
Features of the administered vision plan include:
- Allowance for contact lenses and frames is $130
- Also includes LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, and many other providers
- When searching online for in-network providers, select the INSIGHT network
- 40% discount on additional glasses
- Online purchasing at Glasses.com
- 40% discount on hearing exams
- Mobile app and online access to claims and benefits
| Coverage | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Individual | $1.05 |
| Employee + 1 or more | $3.47 |
| Coverage | Bi-Weekly |
|---|---|
| Individual (BASIC) | $0.48 |
| Employee + 1 or more (BASIC) | $1.60 |
| Individual (PLUS) | $0.97 |
| Employee +1 or more (PLUS) | $3.22 |
Technical Service Vision Insurance Coverage buy up.
Additionally, brand new hires to the University will have benefit elections pro-rated based upon their hire date. If you are a current employee experiencing a job change, or an IRS qualifying life event that causes your existing coverage to change in the middle of a pay period, the regular per pay benefit deductions will occur for the full pay period in which benefit elections or changes were made.
Payroll contributions are deducted based on the year of payroll issuance. For example, the first January bi-weekly payroll will be for hours worked in the prior year, but the deductions will be taken at the new rate since the paycheck is processed in the new year.
Amplifon Hearing Discounts
EyeMed offers discounts on hearing exams and hearing aid products. To learn more, contact an Amplifon Patient Care Advocate (PCA) by calling: 1-877-203-0675 or visiting www.amplifonusa.com/eyemed
*If you don’t share that you have Highmark and decide to purchase your hearing aids using only the discounted pricing, you can ALWAYS file for a reimbursement through Highmark. This way, you still get Amplifon’s discounted pricing plus their funded benefit.
The Patient Care Advocate (aka PCA) will ask for the member’s zip code in order to locate an Amplifon provider nearest to him/her, answer questions and assist the patient with scheduling the hearing exam.
In addition to the Amplifon discounted pricing, members receive a member package, which includes:
- A 60-day risk free trial period
- A lowest price guarantee
- No interest financing for 12 months for those who qualify
- A 3-year loss and damage warranty. Simply pay a small deductible if you lose or damage your hearing aids (typically between $150-$250)
- The patient receives 2 years of batteries at no cost. This equates to 80 cells per hearing aid per year
- 1 year of free follow up care with one’s provider
Overview of Coverage
| 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) Please contact EyeMed to obtain the most recent contact lens formulary information. |
Once every calendar year under age 19/Once every two calendar years 19 or older | |
| EYE EXAMINATION | ||
| including dilation as professionally indicated | $20 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 $100 | Up to $30 |
| Allowance towards a Visionworks frame | Up to $150 | |
| 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 |
| Ultra Progressive lenses 3 | Member pays $140 | Not Covered |
| Glass Grey #3 prescription sunglasses | $11 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Polycarbonate lenses | ||
| Adult 4 | $30 discounted price | Not Covered |
| Dependent Children | ||
|
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 | Covered in full | 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) Please contact EyeMed to obtain the most recent contact lens formulary information. |
||
| 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) | Covered In Full | 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 | |
1 - If you choose an out-of-network provider, you must pay the provider directly for all charges and then submit a claim for reimbursement.
2 - Includes glass, plastic or oversized lenses.
3 - Progressive multifocals can be worn by most people. Conventional bifocals will be supplied at no additional charge for anyone who is unable to adapt to progressive lenses, however, the discounted price will not be refunded.
4 - Discounted member price waived for monocular patients and patients with prescriptions +/- 6.00 diopters or greater.
5 - Contact lenses can be worn by most people. Once the contact lens option is selected and the lenses fitted, they may not be exchanged for eyeglasses.
6 - Disposable contact lens wearers will receive four multi-packs of lenses. Planned replacement contact lens wearers will receive two multi-packs of lenses.
7 - Reimbursement amount is applied toward the cost of contact lenses. The allowance may or may not apply to the evaluation/fitting.