Benefit Description Show
Note: See above and on page 54 for our coverage of eyeglasses, replacement lenses, or contact lenses when prescribed as nonsurgical treatment for amblyopia and strabismus. Note: See Section 5(b), Surgical procedures, for coverage for surgical treatment of amblyopia and strabismus. Note: See pages 40-42 in this Section for our payment levels for Lab, X-ray, and other diagnostic tests performed or ordered by your provider. Benefits are not available for refractions except as described above. Standard Option - You Pay Preferred specialist: $35 copayment (no deductible) Participating: 35% of the Plan allowance (deductible applies) Non-participating: 35% of the Plan allowance (deductible applies), plus any difference between our allowance and the billed amount Basic Option - You Pay Preferred specialist: $40 copayment per visit Note: You pay 30% of the Plan allowance for agents, drugs, and/or supplies administered or obtained in connection with your care. (See page 152 for more information about “agents.”) Participating/Non-participating: You pay all charges The BlueCross BlueShield federal employee program (FEP) is made for current federal employees, retirees, and retired uniformed service members enrolled in a TRICARE health plan. Dependents of retired uniformed service members are eligible too. FEP BlueVision is the eye care component of the plan. Costs are reasonable, as even families can get coverage for less than $50 a month. If you sign up for this plan, you will have coverage for:
You will not have coverage for LASIK (no insurance plans cover LASIK at this time), but BlueVision plan does have two ways to sign up for discounts for the sight-improving procedure. To make the most of your benefits, you will need to work with providers that have agreements with BlueCross BlueShield. Doctors across the United States doctors participate in this program. Understand the CostAs a current federal employee, you have a solid paycheck and plenty of health insurance options. But lawmakers wanted to give retirees and some service members the same kind of coverage. The BlueCross BlueShield FEP program was born of that desire, and vision coverage is an option you can select. When you enroll in BlueCross BlueShield FEP, you will not have vision coverage automatically. If you want vision coverage, you must select it by enrolling in the BlueVision program. You pay for the vision insurance just as you do for your medical coverage – through your paycheck. Premiums are deducted either biweekly or monthly. There are two versions of coverage, the High Option and the Standard Option. The High Option has more expansive benefits and also a higher price tag. In 2021, costs are as follows:
How Often Can You See a Doctor?Routine eye exams may help your doctor spot vision problems when they are small and easier to treat. Care like this also helps you build trust with a doctor, and that can be vital if you have an urgent eye care issue. No matter what BlueVision program you choose, per 2021 benefits, you will have a covered eye exam every year, and you will not have to make a copayment. Coverage for GlassesIf you wear glasses, you know that costs can add up. Frames, lenses, and lens treatments can all come with large price tags. BlueVision helps to cover those costs. Per 2021 benefits, you have coverage for:
Coverage for Contact LensesYou will need to choose between glasses and contacts in a BlueVision plan, as your coverage is available for one item and not the other. Per 2021 benefits, members that chose the:
LASIK Discounts AvailableMany insurance companies consider LASIK a cosmetic procedure rather than a medical necessity. That allows them to exclude this surgery from their benefits packages. BlueVision is no different. LASIK is not a covered benefit, but the plans do offer can make it affordable. By using the plans’ QualSight Network, BlueVision members have access to experienced LASIK surgeons at more than 900 locations across the country at a 40-50% discount. This includes both Blade LASIK and Bladeless LASIK. (These discounts are not available for services received overseas. There is a separate discount pricing structure for those procedures.) BlueCross BlueShield also offers discount programs to people who enroll in their plans. A discount from 2021 shows an average savings of $1,000 on LASIK. If you have a specific provider you'd like to use for LASIK, and it's not the same as the one dictated by BlueVision, watch the Blue 365 deals section of the BlueCross BlueShield website. You just might find the deal you've been hoping for. How to Use Your CoverageWe've discussed LASIK and discounts. By now, you are aware of how to schedule a surgery and save money. But what should you do when you need routine care? Enrollment in BlueVision means tapping into a very large network of providers. As of 2021, the company says, more than 102,000 eye health experts are part of the plan. When you call to make an appointment, tell your provider that you have BlueVision health coverage, and ensure that your doctor is both in the network and willing to accept payments from BlueCross BlueShield. That is all you must do to ensure that you are using your coverage in the right way. ReferencesBlue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision. (2021). BlueCross BlueShield. Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision. (2021). BlueCross BlueShield. FEP BlueVision. BlueCross BlueShield. FEP BlueVision Premiums. BlueCross BlueShield. 2020 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Vision Coverage. BlueCross BlueShield. Over $800 Off LASIK. BlueCross BlueShield. The information provided on this page should not be used in place of information provided by a doctor or specialist. To learn more, read our Privacy Policy and Editorial Policy pages. Is there a deductible for cataract surgery?If your cataract surgery requires a hospital stay, you will need to pay your deductible under Medicare Part A. Most of the time, though, cataract surgery doesn't require hospitalization.
How much does a cataract operation cost?The average cost of cataract surgery ranges from about $1,600 to about $2,600, according to Medicare claims. Without insurance, the cost of cataract removal may be as high as $6,000. Medicare beneficiaries could pay as little as $316 for this surgery.
What is monofocal intraocular lens?Monofocal intraocular lenses are indicated for the visual correction of aphakia after extracapsular cataract extraction. Such lenses have a single focus and are usually planned to correct the distance vision. Patients having such lenses need glasses for near.
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