The clear advantages of State of Texas Vision
3-minute read
Know your benefits
Learn about your options in preparation for Summer Enrollment.
For the next few months, News About Your Benefits will feature overviews of the plans you can elect, change or drop during Summer Enrollment. For April, we highlight TexFlexSM flexible spending accounts and State of Texas VisionSM.
Those who don’t think they need vision insurance should keep in mind one number: 196.
That’s the average national cost of a pair of eyeglasses. But that’s not the cost of getting glasses. It doesn’t include the expense of the eye exam or added features such as anti-reflective or anti-glare lenses.
When you have a vision issue, you’ll clearly see the benefits of the State of Texas VisionSM plan: for about $60 a year for individual coverage, you get more than $200 in benefits.
How it works
For each enrolled participant, State of Texas Vision offers a $15 exam copay, fixed copays on all lens options, a $200 allowance on frames or contact lenses purchased from an in-network provider. (There are also out-of-network benefits, but you’ll save more using in-network providers and retailers.) Simply put, a member with individual coverage currently pays less than $60 a year in premiums for the opportunity to save more than $200 on exams and glasses or contact lenses. There are many additional benefits that you can review on the State of Texas Vision website.
EyeMed, the administrator of Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) vision insurance, offers members an additional 20% off items not covered by their eye care plan, such as non-prescription sunglasses. Members also have access to some of the most-recognized names in eyeglass fashion, including Coach, Ray-Ban and Versace.
Thanks to EyeMed’s large statewide network, State of Texas Vision participants have access to dozens of nearby vision care providers and retail locations, many of which are open on the weekends and evenings.
Note: The HealthSelect of Texas® and Consumer Directed HealthSelectSM health plans covers care for eye diseases and injuries, as well as an annual eye exam. However, the health plans don’t cover frames or contact lenses, and the participant’s out-of-pocket cost for the eye exam is higher than with State of Texas Vision.
Cost
Current rates per month for active employees not eligible for Medicare are:
- You Only: $4.61
- You + Spouse: $9.22
- You + Children: $9.91
- You + Family: $14.52
Please keep in mind that costs could change for Plan Year 2025 (starting Sept. 1, 2024). Plan Year 2025 rates will be available in late May, after the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) Board of Trustees votes on them.
How to enroll
You may enroll for vision insurance for yourself and dependents:
- during Summer Enrollment,
- within 31 of a qualifying life event (QLE) such as marriage or a new child or
- within 31 days of starting work at an agency or higher education institution that participates in the GBP.
During your Summer Enrollment phase or after a QLE, you can enroll through your ERS OnLine account, by filling out a Summer Enrollment form and returning it to you HR department, or by calling ERS.
Contact or to learn more about State of Texas Vision
Visit the State of Texas Vision website or call EyeMed customer service at Phone: Toll-free (844) 949-2170 (TTY: 711).