State of California
   
   M E M O R A N D U M
   
   REFERENCE CODE:
   PML 96-049
   
   DATE:
   September 25, 1996
   
   TO:
   Personnel Officers
   Personnel Transactions Supervisors
   Personnel Transactions Staff
   
   
   FROM:
   Department of Personnel Administration
   Benefits Division
   
   SUBJECT:
   State Vision Program - New Procedure
   
   
   CONTACT:
   Susan Barnes, Benefits Program Analyst
   (916) 324-0432, CALNET 454-0432
   Office Vision: DPA(SEBARNES)
   Internet: SEBARNES@SMTP.DPA.CA.GOV
   
   
   Vision Service Plan (VSP), our current carrier for the
   State's Vision Program, has implemented a new procedure
   for accessing your vision benefits.  Eligible employees
   and/or their eligible dependents may now call their VSP
   member doctor directly and the doctor will contact VSP to
   obtain authorization for services.  Eligible employees who
   need assistance locating a VSP member doctor may call 1-
   800-877-7195 and request a listing of the member doctors
   in their area.  This is a new toll free number VSP has set
   up specifically for this new procedure.
   
   The Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) is
   requesting that departments notify employees of this new
   procedure for the State's Vision Program.  For your
   convenience, Attachment A reflects the instructions on how
   eligible employees and/or their eligible dependents can
   access their vision benefit using VSP's new procedure. 
   Please feel free to duplicate and distribute these
   instructions to your employees.  VSP will continue to
   accept and process service request cards received from
   eligible employees, although they are confident employees
   will prefer requesting services directly from their VSP
   member doctor.
   Employees with vision coverage provided through either the
   California Association of Highway Patrolmen (Unit 5), the
   California Correctional Peace Officers Association (Unit
   6) or the International Union of Operating Engineers (Unit
   13) will need to contact their union, as this new
   procedure may not be available under their union-sponsored
   vision plan.
   
   Any questions regarding the State's Vision Program should
   be directed to Susan Barnes, Benefits Program Analyst at
   (916) 324-0432 or Calnet 454-0432.
   
   
   
   
   Patricia Pavone, Chief
   Benefits Division
   
   Attachment
   
   
   
   PML 96-049                               ATTACHMENT A
   September 25, 1996
   
   
   
   
   Instructions for Accessing Your State Vision Benefit
   Through a Participating VSP Member Doctor
   
   
   
   1. Consult your Evidence of Coverage Booklet for a
   description of your vision benefits.  This booklet is
   available from your Personnel Office.
   
   2. Contact your VSP member doctor directly for an
   appointment.  You will need to provide your identification
   number (usually your social security number) and also tell
   them your coverage is through the State of California.
   
   The member doctor will contact VSP to verify your
   eligibility and obtain a benefit authorization form for
   services and materials.  If you are not eligible for
   vision benefits until a later date, the doctor will
   provide you with this information.  Remember, you are
   eligible for an eye exam, lenses and a frame once each 12
   months from your last date of service.  There is a $10
   deductible for the eye exam and $25 material deductible
   (lenses and/or frame).
   
   Note:  If you need assistance in locating a VSP member
   doctor in your area, you may call VSP at 1-800-877-7195. 
   Once you select a doctor from the listing, you may then
   contact that doctor directly and he/she will confirm your
   eligibility for services with VSP.
   
   3. Proceed with your appointment with the VSP member
   doctor. Once your eye examination is complete, you will be
   responsible for paying the doctor the appropriate
   deductibles and any costs for cosmetic materials or
   processes not covered by your plan.  The doctor will have
   you sign the front of the benefit authorization form and
   will provide you a copy showing your itemized costs.