5 Mistakes to Avoid When Adding a New Vision Plan to Your Benefits Package

AFFORDABLE EYE CARE
October 16, 2022
James Ashford

You want the best for your employees, but searching for eye care in Oklahoma and in any state, isn’t always the easiest thing to do. New regulations are constantly unfolding, vision plans are always evolving, and the needs of your employees are forever changing.

What are you, as an employer, supposed to do to ensure the people you care about get the eye care assistance they need? With these tips, you’ll be able to implement an eye care benefit plan your employees will rave about.

Here are five mistakes you want to avoid when adding a new vision plan to your benefits package.

1. Being unwilling to change

A few years ago, the vision plan you selected might’ve been the best fit for your company. However, can you still say the same thing today? One of the biggest mistakes employers make is keeping the same plan they’ve always had just because they’re familiar with it.

Understand that vision plans change frequently. That means your current plan may no longer fit your employees’ needs. You could actually be spending more because you’re not privy to the better options out there.

Evaluate if your current plan offers the programs, customer experience, and savings you desire. Don’t hesitate to complete a market assessment to see what other vision plans are accessible to you.

2. Avoiding data when making decisions

Oftentimes, we make decisions based on our gut feelings. For instance, it’s easy to assume smaller vision networks offer employees fewer choices for optometrists. You may also believe purchasing a higher-priced eye plan automatically means it’s the best plan. Neither is 100% true.

Consider working with an analytical broker, someone who will look at the data and compare plans that make the most sense for your company.

3. Focusing on lower premiums for eye care in Oklahoma and nationwide

Lower premiums are attractive, but you must ask yourself: “What is this really costing me?” If you want to purchase a vision plan that awes your employees, provide them with one that gives the most value for their money. For instance, at Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma, patients will receive a pair of glasses that include:

  • Anti-reflective coating
  • UV coating
  • Anti-scratch coating
  • No-line progressive lens

National companies may skip the above just to provide a lower premium. Imagine how your employees would feel with significant out-of-pocket expenses and limited options.

4. Not reviewing the plan specifics

Failing to review the plan details could significantly cost you and your employees. It’s important to understand that every eye plan out there has different provisions. At the surface level, it may appear that almost all the eye plans are the same.

However, the fine print will reveal where they differ. The last thing you want to do is select a vision plan that expands your employees’ out-of-pocket expenses instead of their benefits.

5. Being oblivious to your employees’ needs

Did you know that the average U.S. worker spends almost seven hours a day on the computer? Such prolonged computer time could lead to computer vision syndrome. This condition causes eye symptoms like eye strain, headaches, and even blurred vision. Want to know one reason why these symptoms may occur? Uncorrected vision problems.

Most employees want to correct their vision, but the cost of vision exams, new eyeglasses, and more may be holding them back. Therefore, it’s critical that you assess what their needs are. After all, you want to ensure the eye care plan that you choose meets their needs.

For more information about choosing the right vision plan, contact Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma and nationwide.

Not sure where to get started with recommending self-funded plans? Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma is pre-paid plan provider with and extensive of specialists who deliver eye care in Tulsa and nationwide with excellent value for employers and plan recipients.

Find out more about our self-funded plans and other flexible options.

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