EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Vision Plan Overview

As of January 1, 2008, MIT is offering a new plan for certain vision expenses. Vision care will still be covered under the medical plans (e.g., check-ups and doctor’s office visits). However, a new optional plan will cover the cost of eyeglasses and contact lenses—the “hardware” of vision care. To participate in this optional plan, you need to choose it as a separate election.

The new vision plan has a network of providers through EyeMed Vision Care, but out-of-network benefits are also available. Learn more about EyeMed or locate a provider.

As of January 1, 2008, if you are a member of MIT Medical Traditional or Flexible Health Plan you will receive a 25% discount at MIT Optical. All other MIT employees will receive a 20% discount.

Who is Eligible

You are generally eligible for vision coverage if you: (1) work at least 50% of the normal full-time work schedule in your department, laboratory or center; (2) are appointed to work at MIT for at least three months; and (3) are paid by MIT. You are also eligible if you meet the above criteria and have a visiting appointment or if you are a student in a cooperative education program working at MIT.

The following are not eligible: consultants, contractors, affiliates, teaching or research assistants, honorary lecturers, postdoctoral trainees, people paid by MITemps and members of the armed services assigned to MIT.

To view benefits for postdoctoral fellows see Postdoctoral Fellow Benefits.

If you are a member of a collective bargaining unit, all the provisions of the Plan are subject to the terms of your collective bargaining agreement.

Benefit

New Vision Plan—2008 Member Benefits (Group Number 9704966)
	In Network Member Cost	Out-of-Network Allowance
Frames	$0 co-pay; $130 allowance, 20% off balance over $130	$74
Standard Plastic Lenses Single Vision Bifocal Trifocal	$25 co-pay $25 co-pay $25 co-pay	$42 $78 $130
Lens Options UV Coating Tint (Solid and Gradient) Standard Scratch Resistance Standard Polycarbonate Standard Anti-Reflective Coating Standard Progressive (Add-on to Bifocal) Other Add-Ons and Services	$15 $15 $15 $0 $45 $65 20% off retail price	N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Contact Lenses (Materials Only) Conventional Disposable Medically Necessary	$130 allowance, 15% off balance over $130 $130 allowance, plus balance over $130 $0 co-pay, paid in full	$104 $104 $200
Frequency: Frames Lenses or Contact Lenses	Once every 12 months Once every 12 months	Once every 12 months Once every 12 months
NOTE: Members will receive a 20% discount on items not covered by the plan at network providers, which may not be combined with any other discounts or promotional offers. The discount does not apply to EyeMed providers’ professional services, or contact lenses. Members also receive a 40% discount off complete pair sunglass purchases and a 15% discount off 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 https://www.eyemedvisioncare.com/memweb/Access?choice=openAccess&pp=112.

Coverage Tiers

When you enroll, you indicate who will be covered under the plan. You may choose from among four tiers of coverage (the same as offered under the medical plans):

Individual—if you only need to cover yourself
Employee + Spouse (or Spousal Equivalent)
Employee + Child(ren)—a great option for single parents or when a spouse/spousal equivalent has another source of coverage
Family

Notes:

See information on domestic partner/spousal equivalent coverage.
Unmarried dependent children may be covered until the end of the calendar month they turn age 25 as long as they are not eligible for coverage through another employer-sponsored vision plan.

Cost

You and MIT share in the cost of your vision plan coverage. If you enroll in coverage, your share will be paid with before-tax dollars that are deducted each pay period. Your cost depends on the coverage tier that you choose, as well as your employment category. For details on rates, please see the rate chart.

Enrollment

You may enroll in the vision plan within 31 days of your date of hire or appointment, or within 31 days of when you first receive your Welcome Packet, whichever is later. When you enroll, you may elect coverage as of your date of hire or the first of the month following your date of hire. The Benefits Office must receive your enrollment within this 31-day period or you will generally need to wait until the next annual open enrollment period. Open enrollment for most benefits is held each fall.

Changes

In exchange for allowing you to pay your premium with before-tax dollars, Internal Revenue Code regulations do not allow you to cancel or change your vision plan coverage outside of the open enrollment period, unless you have an allowable change in family or employment status. Your benefit change must be consistent with your family status or employment status change. See the list of allowable status changes.

If you do have an allowable change in family or employment status, you must contact the Benefits Office within 31 days to make any corresponding benefit changes. Your change will be effective on the date of the allowable event.

This information is intended to be a summary of the Plan. The Plan document (available from the Benefits Office) contains all the details. If there is a conflict between this summary and the Plan document, the Plan document will control.

MIT expects to continue the Plan as a benefit to employees, but reserves the right to change or terminate the Plan should this become necessary or advisable.

Forms & Publications