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California votes to include stand-alone vision plans in state insurance exchange
The California Health Benefit Exchange Board voted to include stand-alone vision plans in the individual and Small-Employer Health Options Program, according to an announcement from VSP.
“This allows Californians to continue to have direct access to independent eye care providers,” VSP said in a prepared statement.
“California joins a growing list of states like Massachusetts, Maryland and Nevada that have chosen to include stand-alone vision plans in their insurance exchanges,” Stuart Thomas, OD, chairman, VSP Global Board of Directors, said in an online statement. “This is great news for patients and our profession, as states are creating multiple paths for patients to access optometric services, both through vision and medical coverage.”
Superior Vision, which offers managed vision care benefits and contracts with more than 4,000 eye care providers in California, released a statement in support of the decision.
“Providing consumers with choice and the best value for their benefits is an important component of the exchange and one we are thrilled to be prioritized,” Superior Vision stated. “It is a step in the right direction for health care reform.”
The American Optometric Association released a statement saying that California’s decision to include the stand-alone plans means qualified health plans in the state “will no longer be required to offer the pediatric eye health essential benefit or to include ODs on their medical panels.”
The California Optometric Association countered in its own statement: “Federal law requires qualified health plans to provide all 10 essential benefits. California’s decision to allow stand-alone plans only changes the way the essential benefits are offered, not the requirement to include them.”