Kern County and VSP: An affordable vision plan for you Know the benefits you get with a VSP provider WELL-VISION EXAM focuses on your eyes and overall wellness. ● $20 co-pay, every 12 months. PRESCRIPTION GLASSES ● $20 co-pay. FRAME* (every 24 months; co-pay included with prescription glasses) ● $150 frame allowance. ● $170 featured frame brands allowance. ● $80 Costco/Walmart frame allowance. ● 20% savings on the amount over your allowance. LENSES (every 24 months; co-pay included with prescription glasses) ● Single vision, lined bifocal and lined trifocal lenses. ● Impact-resistant lenses for dependent children. LENS ENHANCEMENTS (every 24 months) ● UV coating: $0. ● Scratch coating: $0. ● Tints/photochromic coating: $0. ● Polycarbonate (adults and children): $0. ● Anti-reflective coating: $35. ● Standard progressive lenses: $50. ● Premium progressive lenses: $50. ● Custom progressive lenses: $50. ● Average savings of 40% on other lens enhancements. CONTACTS (every 24 months) ● $150 allowance for contacts; co-pay does not apply/$0 co-pay. ● Contact lens exam (fitting and evaluation): up to $40 co-pay. *Coverage with a retail chain may be different or not apply. For a full description of your vision benefits, visit www.kerncounty healthbenefits.com. Please note: Not all Kern Legacy Health Plans members are eligible for vision care. Why you should have an eye exam You might not miss an oil change for your car. But eye exams have been known to fall by the wayside. That’s because we tend to take our eyes for granted unless there’s a problem, such as blurred vision, redness or pain. Still, your eyes are a vital part of your health. Even if you don’t have issues with your vision, it’s important to see an eye care provider. When to see an eye doctor You should have your eyes checked in your 20s and 30s, but age 40 is prime time for an eye exam, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A checkup will screen for early signs of age-related changes in your vision that you may not even notice. Your eye doctor can use the exam as a benchmark for future eye exams. If you wear contact lenses, have an infection or injury, or if you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease, you’ll want to see an eye doctor before age 40. Talk to your eye doctor about how often you should have checkups. If you are 65 or older, you should get your eyes checked every year or two. If you notice sudden floaters and flashes or patterns of light, don’t wait for your next checkup. Call the eye doctor. Checking your vision Eye exams can help detect eye conditions that can impact your vision, including: Glaucoma, an eye disease in which increasing fluid pressure in the eye slowly destroys the optic nerve. It’s a painless, symptomless disease until you start noticing some vision loss. Cataracts, a clouding of the lens. Macular degeneration, which strikes the retina, the light-sensitive lining in the back of the eye. An area of the retina, known as the macula, is responsible for sharp central vision. Be on the lookout for diabetes-related eye conditions You’ll also want to see your eye doctor regularly if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Diabetes affects your blood sugar, which can impact your eyesight. High blood sugar can cause tiny blood vessels in the retina to leak, causing blurry vision. The condition, known as diabetic retinopathy, can lead to vision loss. But treatments are available to help protect your vision. Safeguard your sight If you’ve never had a comprehensive eye exam, now is a good time. Contact your eye care provider. If you don’t have one, call the customer service number on the back of your ID card or visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com to find a provider. Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology; American Diabetes Association; National Institutes of Health
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