A recent study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 61 million Americans are at high risk for vision loss from conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Sadly, more than half of this at-risk population fails to get an annual dilated eye exam, and some five million cannot afford the vision correction that they need.
Having vision insurance significantly increases the likelihood of getting an annual eye exam— a 2007 VSP Vision Care study reveals that 61% of Americans with vision coverage received an eye exam within the last year, while only 44% of those without coverage had an exam. But where does this leave millions of retirees, the self-employed, and those who no longer have vision coverage due to a change in employment?
I’m proud to announce that VSP is taking an important new step to expand access to proactive eyecare for all Americans. On March 30th, 2007 VSP launched the first-ever insured vision plan directly to consumers nationwide*. By offering VSP’s Signature Choice Plan directly to individuals and families, we are making quality eyecare accessible and affordable. This also addresses another current healthcare concern – making insurance coverage portable. Since consumers purchase the plan directly, they can maintain their VSP coverage and continuity of care through career shifts and life changes.
I believe that VSP’s new direct-to-consumer vision coverage will open up access to eyecare for millions of Americans for the first time. In doing so, VSP will move another step closer to our goal of delivering quality eyecare to all segments of the population. Expanding access to eyecare can deliver key healthcare savings, as shown in VSP’s work with the State of California, and I think that this step will further demonstrate the value of proactive, preventive healthcare. Really, it’s not just about the cost savings – it’s also the right thing to do for patients and their families. I look forward to your thoughts on VSP’s new direct-to-consumer eyecare coverage.
Rob
With you proven background and caring company.. would it not be a PR bonanza to hook up with the Gates foundation and supply eye glasses and check ups to the children of Africa.. you could use the slogan. With the gates foundation they are giving children hope for the future,, and VSP has joined them so that now they can see the future.. I can’t help myself I am an idea’s person.
Schmakel Eye Care is a private practice located in Toledo, Oh. Unfortunately we are very unhappy with the new Signature Choice Plan. We use 2 independent labs for all of our work and are extremely pleased with great fast work that they do. I have tried using the VSP columbus lab and the jobs are taking DAYS longer than they used to at our local labs. Our patients have a lot of trust in the care we put into our work and now they are being told that we are forced to choose a lab we would not normally choose to use. Forcing the private practice to use a VSP lab is turning out to be a nightmare. The private practice has been an important part of VSP for many years and now VSP is abusing the relationship that we have maintained. Our office aswell as many other offices have voiced our opinion about this new policy….I only hope that VSP listens to us and makes changes.