Vision Care in the Workplace.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa., March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Our healthcare system is at a crossroads. With the recent reform of healthcare in the United States, we are seeing rising costs of healthcare and health insurance coverage. Employers are being forced to increase employees' cost sharing responsibilities and are exploring ways to add other benefits.

The Pennsylvania Association for the Blind is encouraging employers to consider Vision Care as an added benefit for their employees. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), two-thirds of all adults report wearing some type of eyewear and nearly one-quarter report they have an eye condition or disease. An estimated 11 million Americans have uncorrected vision problems.

These vision problems can carry quite an expense and reduce productivity. Vision coverage can help to maintain a healthier workforce, reduce absences and attract quality employees resulting in higher productivity. In comparison to medical benefits, vision coverage is inexpensive. It is often one-tenth that of medical benefits and is highly valued by employees. Of the 43% of American adults not covered by a managed vision care plan, 63% said they would either "probably" or "definitely" sign up for vision care coverage if presented with the opportunity - even if they had to pay a small fee each month.

When seeking a vision plan provider; consider such factors:

Employer and employee ability to access information on the Internet;

Restrictions on eyeglass frame types;

Geographical locations of plan providers;

Age of employees (the older your employees' ages, the more coverage you need);

Cost of benefits as they relate to disposable income;

Ability to use independent providers or large optical retail chains;

Provision for a discount on laser vision correction;

The offer of both in-and out-of-network benefit alternatives;

Rate guarantees over a number of years and;

No minimum enrollments.

Many eye diseases have no symptoms and can often lead to permanent eye damage. A yearly eye exam is the only option for proper detection, and potential correction of these conditions. Taking advantage of vision care coverage for your employees will make for a healthier, happier workplace, while offering a more cost effective benefit for your company.

Beaver Co. Assn. f/t Blind, Berks Co. Assn. f/t Blind, Blair/Clearfield Assn. f/t Blind, Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, Bucks Co. Assn. f/t Blind, Butler Co. Assn. f/t Blind, Cambria Co. Assn. f/t Blind & Handicapped, Center f/t Blind & Visually Impaired, Central Susquehanna Sight Services, Center for Vision Loss, Chester Co. Assn. f/t Blind, Fayette Co. Assn. f/t Blind, ForSight Vision, Greater Wilkes-Barre Assn. f/t Blind, Hazleton Blind Assn., Indiana Co. Blind Assn., Keystone Blind Assn., Lackawanna Branch - PAB, Lawrence Co. Assn. f/t Blind, Montgomery Co. Assn. f/t Blind, North Central Sight Services, Nu Visions Center, South Central Blind Assn., Susquehanna Association f/t Blind & Vision Impaired, Tri-County Assn. f/t Blind, Venango Co. Assn. f/t Blind, The Sight Center of Northwest PA, Washington-Greene Assn. f/t Blind, Westmoreland Co. Blind Assn.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Association for the Blind