Vision Plan
MIT offers an optional vision plan through EyeMed Vision Care that covers the cost of eyeglasses or contact lenses. This coverage is separate from the eye health care provided by MIT health plans (such as checkups and doctor's visits)
Eligibility
You are eligible for vision plan coverage if you are paid by MIT, are appointed to work at MIT for at least three months (a postdoctoral fellow must have a fellowship appointment of at least nine months), and work at least 50% of the normal full-time work schedule. MORE
Next steps
- Confirm your eligibility.
- Review vision plan details.
- Enroll in the plan.
- Locate an EyeMed provider.
Details
Your vision plan option
The optional MIT Vision Plan covers the cost of vision care hardware—eyeglasses or contact lenses—through EyeMed Vision Care. The plan is intended to supplement the eye health care (such as checkups and doctors' visits) provided by MIT health plans.
When you enroll in the plan, you can obtain services either through EyeMed's network of providers (MIT is part of the "Select" network) or through an independent service provider. You generally will receive a higher level of reimbursement if you obtain services within the EyeMed network. Compare in-network and out-of-network reimbursement levels with the Vision Plan Comparison Chart and Vision Plan Rate Chart to decide if the plan makes sense for you.
Tiers of coverage
When you enroll in the MIT Vision Plan, you also choose who will be covered by your plan.
- Choose Individual if you only need to cover yourself.
- Choose Employee + Spouse to cover yourself and your spouse or domestic partner.
- Choose Employee + Children to cover yourself and your children (if you are a single parent or your spouse/domestic partner is covered under another plan).
- Choose Family to cover yourself, your spouse/domestic partner, and your children.
- Dependent children may be covered through the end of the month that they turn age 26, if they are not eligible for another employer-sponsored vision plan.
- If you have a dependent who is disabled, that dependent will be eligible for coverage.
Who is eligible
- you have been appointed—and are currently employed—to work at MIT for at least three months
- you work at least 50% of the normal full-time work schedule
- you are paid by MIT
- you meet the criteria above and have a visiting appointment at MIT of at least three months
- you have a postdoctoral fellowship appointment of at least nine months
Who is NOT eligible
- contractor
- affiliate
- teaching or research assistant
- honorary lecturer
- summer appointment
- international visiting student
- member of the armed services assigned to MIT
- family member who is not employed by MIT
- work-study student
- paid by MITemps
Domestic partnerships
MIT's policy is the same for domestic partners as it is for married spouses and their eligible dependent children. You and MIT share the cost of coverage for your spouse/domestic partner and/or any eligible dependent children. You should be aware, however, that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) imposes certain financial and tax regulations on health insurance costs in domestic partnerships. Read more (PDF).
Members of collective bargaining units
All the plan provisions are subject to the terms of your collective bargaining agreement.
How to enroll in vision plan coverage
Sign up when you begin work at MIT. Use Employee Self Service to enroll in the vision plan coverage within 31 days of your date of hire or appointment—or within 31 days of the date you receive your official Welcome Letter, whichever is later.
Sign up during Open Enrollment. If you do not return enroll within this 31-day period, you must wait until the next annual Open Enrollment period, which takes place in the fall.
Enroll as a result of a life event. If you experience a change in your life that has an impact on your benefits, you can enroll outside the Open Enrollment period. Learn more.
How to change your vision plan coverage
To cancel or make a change to your MIT Vision Plan coverage, use Employee Self Service during the annual Open Enrollment period.
If you experience a change in your life—marriage, partner's job loss, disability, new baby, change in Medicaid status or insurance coverage—you can make changes to your vision care benefits outside the Open Enrollment period.
When you make a change because of a qualifying life event
- your change must be consistent with your life event (such as adding coverage for a new spouse/domestic partner)
- you must return the Health/Dental/Vision Plan Change Form (PDF) to the MIT Benefits Office within the specified period
- your change will be effective on the date of the qualifying event
- you must provide appropriate documentation (e.g., a marriage license or birth certificate)
Find out which life events qualify you to make changes to your benefits—and the time frame for making those changes.
Why the period for making changes is limited
Most of the benefits plans offered through MIT are paid with pre-tax dollars. In exchange for this tax advantage, you are prohibited from enrolling in, canceling, or making changes to those plans outside the annual Open Enrollment period, unless you experience a qualifying change in your work or family life.
| Vision Plan—2013 Member Benefits (Group Number 9826959 - part of the "Select" network) |
||
| In Network Member Costs | Out-of-Network Reimbursement | |
| Frames | ||
| $0 co-pay; $140 allowance plus 20% discount on balance over $140 | $82 | |
| Standard Plastic Lenses | ||
| Single Vision | $10 co-pay | $42 |
| Bifocal | $10 co-pay | $78 |
| Trifocal | $10 co-pay | $130 |
| Standard Progressive (Add-on to Bifocal) |
$75 | $78 |
| Premium Progressive | $75, 80% of charge less $120 Allowance | $78 |
| Lens Options | ||
| UV Coating | $15 | N/A |
| Tint (Solid and Gradient) | $15 | N/A |
| Standard Scratch Resistance | $15 | N/A |
| Standard Polycarbonate | $0 | $32 |
| Standard Anti-Reflective Coating | $45 | N/A |
| Polarized | 20% off retail price | N/A |
| Other Add-Ons and Services | 20% off retail price | N/A |
| Contact Lenses (Materials Only) | ||
| Conventional | $150 allowance plus 15% discount on balance over $150 | $120 |
| Disposable | $150 allowance; member is responsible for balance over $150 | $120 |
| Medically Necessary | Paid in full | $200 |
| Laser Vision Correction | ||
| Lasik or PRK from U.S. Laser Network | 15% off retail price or 5% off promotional price | N/A |
| Additional Pairs Discount | ||
| Members also receive a 40% discount off complete pair eyeglass purchase and 15% off conventional contact lenses once the funded benefit has been used. | N/A | |
| Frequency | ||
| Glasses(frames and lenses) | Once every 12 months | Once every 12 months |
| Contact Lenses | Once every 12 months | Once every 12 months |
| Important: You have the choice of glasses or contact lenses, but not both. | ||
NOTE: Members will receive a 20% discount on items not covered by the plan at network providers. This discount may not be combined with any other discounts or promotional offers. The discount does not apply to EyeMed providers' professional services, or to contact lenses.
Members also receive a 40% discount on a pair of prescription sunglasses and a 15% discount on conventional contact lenses once the funded benefit has been used.
This plan is offered with the EyeMedSelect panel of providers. For more information, contact 888-4-EYEMED or (866) 299-1358 or www.eyemedvisioncare.com. Out-of-network benefits are also available. MIT Optical is not part of the network; however, MIT Optical does offer discounts on glasses to employees. In addition to the discount at MIT Optical, if you do have the vision care plan you can then submit a receipt to EyeMed for out-of-network reimbursement.
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