Vision Benefits
for Exempt Employees
Current as of October 2007
Click here to download the Dental and Vision Benefits handbook.

Eligibility

You are eligible for vision coverage after you have completed one year of continuous state service and you are a permanent full-time or permanent part-time employee. County service time does not count towards eligibility time.

Service time for employees classified as student help, college interns or whose appointments are temporary, seasonal or intermittent may count toward one year of continuous state service if such employees are hired on a permanent, full-time basis or permanent part-time basis with no break in service. Please contact your payroll/personnel officer to confirm your eligibility.

Dependents

If you are eligible for vision benefits, some of your dependents also may be eligible for vision benefits through your plan. Your dependents eligible for vision benefits are:

• Your spouse;

• Your unmarried, dependent children who are primarily dependent upon you for primary support. Your children are only eligible:

• Through the end of the month in which they turn 19;

• Through the end of the month in which they turn 23 if the child is residing with you or attending an accredited school (proof of attendance may be required)

More information about your dependents eligibility for vision benefits can be found in the Health Care booklet of your Employee Benefits Handbook.

Enrollment

If you are an eligible employee, you will be able to enroll in one of the two vision plans, Vision Service Plan (VSP) or EyeMed Vision Care (EyeMed), after one year of continuous state service. Prior to the end of your first year of service, you will receive notification that you soon will become eligible for vision coverage.

To enroll, you must complete a Vision Enrollment and Change Form. The form also may be obtained from your payroll/personnel officer. Your vision coverage will be effective the first day of your 13th month of state service, as long as you have completed an enrollment form at least 31 days before your anniversary date. You may enroll up to 31 days after your anniversary date; however, your effective date of benefits may be delayed.

If you do not enroll within 31 days of your anniversary date, you must wait until the annual open enrollment period to obtain vision coverage.

NOTE: When husband and wife both work for the State of Ohio, both cannot elect family coverage.

Vision Claims Administration

Vision benefits are administered by Vision Service Plan (VSP) or EyeMed Vision Care. The addresses are:

Vision Service Plan P. O. Box 2487 Columbus, OH 43216

EyeMed Vision Care 4000 Luxottica Place Mason, OH 45005

If you have any questions about your benefits, claims or a participating doctor, call VSP’s toll-free member service number at 800-877-7195 or EyeMed Vision Care at 866-723-0514.

Locating a Participating Doctor

The following methods are available to you in locating a participating doctor:

• Call VSP's automated member services system at 800-877-7195 or EyeMed Vision Care at 866-723-0514.
  
• TDD for the hearing impaired - VSP: 800-428-4833.
  
• Web:
  

  • For VSP, go to the VSP Web site, locate the "Members and Consumers " link and select the "Find A Doctor" caption. Enter the last four digits of your Social Security number and first and last name to generate the appropriate doctor directory.
    

  • For EyeMed Vision Care, go to the EyeMed Vision Care Web site, click on "Member Access", and then register. After you register, you will have access to most of the Web site features. If you are not enrolled with EyeMed Vision Care, you may click on "Brokers & Benefit Buyers," and then click on "Find a Provider."