VSP "Proves it"...along with the National Association of Vision Care Plans.

[OHPNTZ]

As I opened the March issue of Review of Optometry, I was rather disturbed by an ad on the very first page by VSP and the National Association of Vision Care Plans (Here's the members of that group:)
Advantica
AlwaysCare Benefits
Avesis Incorporated
Block Vision
Davis Vision

Doral Vision, a DentaQuest Company
EyeMed Vision Care

General Vision Services
MESVision
National Vision, Inc.
New Benefits, LTD. Dba Coast to Coast

OptiCare Managed Vision, Inc.

OptumHealth
Superior Vision Services, Inc.
Vision Benefits of America
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
Wellpoint, Inc.

.

In a nutshell here is the ad in words:

The heading "Will excluding stand alone vision plans from insurance exchanges be good for you?"

A "pros" column:

1. Patients get eyecare through healthplan


A "cons" column:

1. OD referrals?
2. Decreased Access (written in red...I guess for emphasis)
3. Fewer patients
4. No equal pay (?????)
5. Locked out of medical
6. Dispensaries impacted
7. Risk of exclusion

The bottom of the ad asks you to sign the petition at vspprovesit.com/healthcare

[drk]

Dude. The Supremes killed that issue dead.

[OHPNTZ]

Dude. The Supremes killed that issue dead.

It's not really the issue...it's the fact that this crap appears in Review of Optometry as an ad,and, what is listed as "cons".

[racethe1320]

I personally don't see patients geting eyecare through healthplan beneficial. I think it's been beat to death that when eyecare is bundled into a full healthcare plan, utilization is far less than stand alone plans. My offices are heavily managed care and i know that it holds true for us and we're close to 10k per year.