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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 93-424 - Approve entering into a Calif Vision Serv Agreement between the COR & Vision Service Plan (VSP) in which VSP will administer the City's Self Insured vision service plan 1 I� I - RESOLUTION NO. '��! 'I A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDDING APPROVING ENTERING INTO A CALIFORNIA VISION SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF REDDING AND VISION SERVICE PLAN (VSP) , IN WHICH VSP WILL ADMINISTER THE CITY'S SELF-INSURED VISION SERVICE PLAN; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION. �i BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Redding hereby approves entering into a one-year contract with Vision Service Plan to administer the City' s self-insured Vision Service Plan, with the City paying $1. 45 per employee per month. A sample of the type of contract is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor of the City of Redding is hereby authorized and directed to sign an Agreement with Vision Service Plan on behalf of the City of Redding, when approved by the City Attorney; and the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to attest the signature of the Mayor and to impress the official seal of the City of Redding thereto. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was introduced and read at a regular meeting of the. City Council of the City of Redding on the 21st day of December, 1993 , and was duly adopted at said meeting by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Anderson, Kehoe, Moss and Arness NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Dahl ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None CARL ARNESS, Mayor City of Redding 1 ATTEST- FORM APPROVED: \} CONNIE STRO YER, City Cle RANDALL A. HAYS, City Attorney DEC 15 '93 10:49AM VSP SALFc" ADMIN —P;2 V BION RIPMVICE PIAAN CALIFORNIA VISION SERVICE (Hereinafter Called VSP) and CITY OF REDDING (0237134) (Hereinafter Called Group) AGREE AS FOLLOWS: a VSP shall provide a panel of doctors to perform services for persons certified as eligible, subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. 1. TERM AND CANCELLATION 1 3 for an Initial Term of This contract shall be effective commencing vin the i twelve(12_1 months, and continuing thereafter until terminated by either p arty gi S other sixty (60) days prior written notice. The contract shall terminate at midnight, the last day of the month for which the notice has been given. AGREEMENT - ADMINISTRATION VSP shall process requests for benefit forms which shall be forwarded to VSP by Covered Persons, Group, or by the administrator. Benefit forms shall be issued by VSP in accordance with the latest eligibility information furnished by Group. Any benefit form so issued by VSP shall constitute a certification to the VSP Member Doctor that payment will be made, and VSP sball not be held liable for any benefit forms issued in error, provided they were issued in accordance with these provisions. VSP shall furnish to Group on a monthly basis, a list of all benefits paid pursuant to this ! contract. In the event of termination of this contract by either party, Group agrees to provide funds for rounded such benefit payment pursuant to benefit forms issued prior to the termination date, p forms.are filed with VSP within six (6) months after termination of this contract. ASP 05/91 DEC 15 '93 10:49AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.3 • VLftqoN sFjwxcE FTAAN .--�— AGREEUMNT This instrument contains all of the provisions of the contract between the parties hereto, and no promise or agreement not contained herein shall be binding on the parties unless the same is in writingand attached to this contract. This contract may be amended only by a written instrument signed by an authorized representative of Group and an officer of VSP. Consent of Covered Persons is not required to effect any such amendment. This contract shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of California. The provisions and conditions set forth on the following pages shall form a part of this contract as fully as if recited over the signatures hereto affixed. MY OF DING CALIFORNIA VISION SERVICE By Title Mayor Title_ Vice Presi t Date February 18, 1993 Date J• u 1`993 FORM APPROVEI Cmr LEGA! WT. ASP 05191 01/18/93 dk ' DEC 15 '93 10:50AM VSP SAL F ADMIN PA I VISION SERVICE 1TAAN II. EUGIBMM DETERMINATION i E"LOYSES I For purposes of this Plan, eligible participants shall be defined as all full-time employees of the employer who work f 40) or more hours per week at the employer's normal place of business. I New employees shall be added on their date of em In ovment. Terminating employees shall be excluded from the Plan on the last day of the month in which their employment terminates. DSP p,NDENTS If dependent coverage is provided under this contract, then for the purposes of this Plan, dependents eligible shall be the covered employee's spouse and unmarred dependent children who have not attained their nineteenth ly3t birthday, or to their y- birthday if attending school full-time. An unmarried child age ninet mn 1 or over may continue to be eligible as a dependent if the child is: 1. Incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of mental or physical handicap, and 2. Chiefly dependent upon the covered employee for support and maintenance. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, proof of such incapacity and dependency is furnished to the Group or VSP by the Covered Person within thirty-one (31) days of the request for such information-by VSP to the Group. Additional information may be subsequently required by VSP or Group but not more frequently than annually after 'I the two-year period following the child's attainment of the limiting age. 'i CONTINUATION COVERAGE The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) requires that under certain circumstances health plan benefits available to an eligible participant and his or her dependents be made available for purchase by said of n of the relaersons tionship betn tho twweenosaid participant employment of said participant, or the terminatio lies to the arties to this and his or her dependents. If, and only to the extent, COBRA app p contract, VSP shall make the statutorily-required continuation coverage available for purchase in accordance with COBRA. -1- 05/91 01/18/93 dk DEC 15 '93 10:50AM SALES ADMIN P.5 1 Nai!410N SERYIC'E Pi1AN III. BENEFITS AND COVERAGE SERVICES FROM VSP MEMBER DOCTORS i i I A, VISION EXAMINATION A complete analysis of the eyes and related structures will be provided to determine the presence of vision problems or other abnormalities. Each Covered Person shall be entitled to a vision examination once each twelyc months. B. MATERIALS Where the vision prominvtis al health and welfare of a Covered Person, tht new lenses or frames or both ey will be necessary for the prop supplied, together with such professional services as aro necessary, which shall include, but not be limited to: • Prescribing and ordering proper lenses • Assisting in the selection of a frame • Verifying the accuracy of the finished lenses • Proper fitting and adjustment of the spectacles 1. LENSES - The VSP Member Doctor will order the proper lenses necessary for the Covered Person's visual welfare. Each Covered Person is entitled to new lenses once each t - r 2 months. 2. FRAMES - New frames will be provided once each rwe -four (24) months. VSP reserves the right to limit the cost of the frames provided by its Member Doctors undei the Plan. The allowance shall be published periodically by VSP to its Member Doctors and will be set at a level to cover the majority of frames in common use. IF THE COVERED PERSON WISHES TO SEL13CT A MORE EXPENSIVE FRAME THAN THAT ALLOWED UNDER THE PROGRAM, THE COST DIFFERENCE SHALL BE BY AGREEIv1MNT BETWEEN THE COVERED PERSON ANA THE DOCTOR. -2- A05191 I DEC 15 '93 10:51 AM VSP SPLES ADMIN P.6 i MESION SERVICE PI-LAN 3. CONTACT LENSPS - LWTATIONS Necessa�C Contact lenses are furnished under the VSP Plan when the VSP Member Doctor secures prior approval for any of the following conditions: • Following cataract surgery To correct extreme visual acuity problems that cannot be corrected with spectacle lenses • Certain conditions of Anisometropia • Keratoconus When the VSP Member Doctor receives prior approval for such cases, they are fully covered by VSP and are IN LIEU OF THOSE BENEFITS DESCRIBED UNDER "B. MA'T'ERIALS,° CONTACT LENSES ONCE$FURNISHED�ONLY��p��OR DESCRIBED ABOVE CAN AUTHORIZATION BY VSP, BUT IN MNO EVENT ONTHS MORE FREQUENTLY THAN EVERY ?'W�Y-FOUR (2-1 When Covered Persons choose contact lenses from a VSP Member Doctor for reasons other than those mentioned above, VSP will provide benefits as follows: The initial basic examination will be covered in full as described under "A. VISION EXAMINATION" and an allowance will be paid toward contact lens evaluation fee, fitting costs and materials in lieu of those benefits described under "B. MATERIALS" C. LOW VISION BENEFIT The Low Vision benefit is available to Covered Persons who have severe visual problems that are not correctable with regular lenses. This benefit is subject to the following limitations: 1. PRIOR AUTSORIZATION - When a Member Doctor suspects a low vision condition, the doctor requests advance approval prior to beginning services. VSP consultants may authorize and to�allows the doctor to gather enough by the doctor to determine the nature of the problem facts to propose a treatment plan. The supplementary testing is paid by the plan with no copayment by the patient. testis 2. COPAYMENT - After supplementary g, the doctor submits the treatment P lan to the VSP consultants. The consultants will review the plan and, if the Plan is approved, will authorize benefits on a copayment basis with 75% of the cost being paid by VSP and 25% of the cost being paid by the patient. 3. MAXDUM BENEFIT - vsp will ears for approved Low Visiom ofn 1care� (excluding co- payment) every Y includes the Supplementary Testing. .3- A 01192 E DEC 15 '93 10:51 VSP SALES ADMIN P.7 p Vl610N SIETMGE N IV. FACILITIES This vision care plan is an agreement among various state vision service corporations throughout the United States. Through these service plans and their extensive nationwide network of doctors, VSP provides professional vision care to employees and dependents covered under group vision care plans. A list of Member Doctors in the Covered Person's geographical location will accompany the benefit form sent to the Covered Person upon verification of their eligibility. This list contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Member Doctors. If this list does not cover the geographical area in which the Covered Person desires to seek services, the Covered Person may call or write the VSP office nearest him to obtain one which does. -4- 05/91 DEC 15 '93 10:52AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.8 VISION R"cTI MAN V.' CHOICE OF PROVIDERS The VSP Plan provides Covered Persons with a dual choice. If they elect to receive vision care services from one of the VSP Member Doctors, VSP is a PREPAID program and covered services as described herein are provided at no out-of-pocket cost (unlessthe a Plan the contains a deductible). Selecting a doctor from the VSP list assures direct payment doctor and a guarantee of quality and cost control. SERVICES FROM NON-MPUMER PROVIDER LIABILITY OF COVERED PERSONS FOR PA'YMEN'T REnvIBURSEMEN'T PROVISIONS When a Covered Person chooses to go to a non-member provider, services may be secured from any optometrist, ophthalmologist hthalmolo st and/or di ensing optician. This Plan then becomes sP an indernn�ty plan reimbursing according to a schedule of allowances, The Covered Person should pay the doctor his full fee. VSP will reimburse in accordance with the following schedule. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE SCHEDULE WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO PAY FOR THE CATION OR THE MATERIALS. AV OF SERVICES UNDER THIS REI SURSBMENT SCHEDULE I5 SUBJECT TO THE SAME TIME Ln4jTS AND DEDUCTIBLE EXCEPT AS NOTED ELSEW11EME HEREIN AS, THOSE DESCRIBED FOR MENS13R SERVICES. SERVICES OBTAINEDFROM A � PROVIDER ARE IN LIEU OF OBTAINING SERVICES A P gO MA701vIL1M REMMURSEMLNT FOR SERVICES FROM NON-M MMER PROVIDER PROFESSIONAL FEFS $ 40.00 Vision Examination, up to MAI M $ 4000 Single Vision Lenses, up to 60.00 Bifocal Lenses, up to 80.00 Trifocal Lenses, up to 125.00 Lenticular Lenses, up to 451 .00 Frame, up to CQMACT =SO* (MATERIALS, mTTINGS AND EVALUATION ONLY) Necessary, up to $210.00 i Elective, up to 105.00 *Determination of "necessary" versus "elective" contact lenses under the non-member reimbursement schedule will be consistent with Member Doctor services. Reimbursement 'i allowance for necessary and elective contact lenses includes contact lens evaluation fee, fitting costs and materials and is in lieu of all other material benefits, including spectacle lenses and frame. i ! -5- AB El 01192 A DEC 15 '93 10:53AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.9 --�� V1SION SERVICE PLAN r nW VISION BENEFIT Low Vision benefits secured from a doctor who is NOT a member of the VSP panel are subject to the same time limits and copayment arrangements as described above for a VSP Member Doctor. The Covered Person should pay the non-member provider his full fee. Covered Persons will be reimbursed in accordance with an amount not to exceed what VSP would pay a member provider in similar circumstances. NOTE: There is no assurance that this amount will be within the 25% copayment feature. i THE LENS OWANCES ARE FOR TWO ALLOWANCE WILL BE NE HALF THE AIR; IF ONLY ALLOWANCE. LENS IS NEEDED, THE AMOUNTS SHOWN ARE MAXIMUMS. THE ACTUAL AMOUNT TO BE PAID IN REIMBURSEMENT TO THE COVERED PERSON SHALL BE THE MAXIMUM SHOWN IN THE SCHEDULE OF SERVICE, THE AMOUNT CHARGED, OR THE AMOUNT USUALLY CHARGED BY THE PROVIDER OF SUCH SERVICES TO HIS PRIVATE PATIENTS, WHICHEVER IS DETERMINED BY VSP TO BE THE LEAST AMOUNT. NOT ASSIGNABLE. I -6- 05/91 DEC 15 193 10:53AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.10 VL%3goN. SEfrVICE MAN ! VI. PROCEDURES FOR USING THE PLAN I 1. A Covered Person must receive an approval of service before visiting a Member Doctor. Such approval is obtained from VSP- 2. The Covered Person will be provided a list of Member Doctors and will make an appointment with a Member Doctor of their choice. I The Covered Person pays only the deductible (if any) to the doctor for the services covered by the Plan and for any additional ictlaccord ng toeived not their agreement wbth the the VSP will pay the Member Doc y doctor. octor ut su 4. Should the Covered Person receive services from a of a VSP Member Dooetorchhe mber D approval or obtain services from a provider who is Covered Person is responsible for payment in full to the provider. 5, When such approval is received by a Covered Person and services are performed prior to the expiration date shown on the approval, this will constitute a claim against the Plan in spite of the Covered Person's termination of coverage or the termination of the Plan. 6. In emergency cases, when immediate vision care is necessary, a Covered Person can obtain covered oves rdservices nccee c with ythe agreeme t between VSP and the Member Doctor, will be made m accordance i 'I i -7- 05191 DEC 15 '93 10:54AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.11 ""ION SERICE PLAN VII. EXCLUSI6NS AND LIMITATIONS OF BENEFITS PATIENT OPTIONS This vision service plan is designed to cover visual n=dS rather than cosmetic matte. When a Covered Person selects any of the following extras, the Plan will pay the basic cost of the allowed lenses, and the Covered Person will pay the additional costs for the options. 1. Blended lenses. 2. Contact lenses (except as noted elsewhere herein). 3. Oversize lenses. 4. Photochromic lenses; tinted lenses except Pink #1 and Pink #2. 5. Progressive multifocal lenses. 6. The coating of the lens or lenses. 7. The laminating of the lens or lenses. 8. A frame that costs more than the Plan allowance. 9. Certain limitations on low vision care, 10. Cosmetic lenses. 11. Optional cosmetic processes. 12, UV (ultraviolet) protected lenses. NOT COVERED There is no benefit for professional services or materials connected with: 1. Orthoptics or vision training and any associated supplemental testing; Plano lenses; or two pair of glasses in lieu of bifocals; 2. Replacement of lenses and frames furnished under this Plan which are lost or broken except at the normal intervals when services are otherwise available; 3. Medical or surgical treatment of the eyes; 4. Any eye examination, or any corrective eye wear, required by an employer as a condition of employment. VSP MAY, AT ITS DISCRETION, WAIVE ANY OF THE PLAN LIMITATIONS IF, IN THE IOF THE COVERED PERSONS, THIS IS NECESSARY FOR THE VISUAL WELFARE -8- AB 07191 1 DEC 15 '93 10a54AM VSPS11* ADMIN • P.12 VISION SERVICE MAN VM. GENERAL- PROVISIONS 1. VSP acts as a contracting agency hereunder to enable the Group and Covered Persons to acquire professional vision care on a prepaid basis. VSP shall not assume any i fiduciary obligations of the Group and is not a named fiduciary or Pian Administrator as those terms are defined in ERISA. Under no circumstances shall VSP or Group be liable for the negligence, wrongful acts or omissions of any doctor, laboratory, or any other person or organization performing services or supplying materials in connection with this contract. 2. All notices provided hereunder shall be deemed as having been properly made upon depositing the same in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressing such notices to e books of VSP at least or to thirty (30)pdays prioratove at the said action address taking effeecct. ` ng last on th , Group agrees to cooperate with VSP in disseminating to its members any disclosure forms, Plan summaries or other material that may be required to be disseminated to plan enrollees by the Knox-Keene Health Plan Act. It is understood that any such material required to be disseminated shall be delivered to Group by VSP, and disseminated by Group to plan enrollees no later than thirty (30) days after the receipt thereof. 3. Upon receipt of a request for benefits from a Covered Person, VSP will issue a benefit form to such Covered Person provided: a) The request is certified b)+ Group; or b) The member appears eligible by reason of the latest information available to VSP as furnished by Group. Benefit forms so issued shall be assigned an expiration date, allowing a reasonable period of time for the Covered Person to obtain services. Such benefit forms, prop rl used, shall constitute a claim against VSP, irrespective of later loss of eligibility by the Covered Person or cancellation of this contract. 4. If any provision of this contract is declared invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect. The failure of either party to protest any default or breach shall not constitute a waiver of such party's rights under this contract, or such parry's rights upon any subsequent default or breach. S. Neither this contract, nor any benefits hereunder, including the payment of money, is assignable, except with the prior consent of VSP. i 'I -9- ASP 05191 CA i DEC 15 '93 10:55AM SALES ADMIN • P.13 I i VZ,�-;ION SMI"CE FTAN 6. VSP reserves the right to'reject any and all claims for services or benefits which are filed with it more than one hundred eighty (180) days after completion of services- 7. It is the responsibility of Group representatives to disseminate notice with respect to material matters to Covered Persons in the Group. 8. Benefitsrovided to Covered Persons will be pursuant to the terms of this contract. Each Covered Person shall be entitled to obtain the services enumerated herein from any participating VSP Member Doctor. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of the participating Member Doctors shall be made available to Covered Persons when seeking services. 9. The named Plan Administrator for Group's vision benefit plan shall be designated in the APPLICATION FOR VISION SERVICE PIAN and shall have authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the Plan on behalf of the Group. 10. VSP is subject to regulation by the California State Department of Corporations, and this contract is subject to the trer3 o Title 10 of atherements of eCalifornialAdon 2 of the ministrative.Code Chapter and Safety Code and of p Any provisions required to be in the contract by either of the above shall bind the Plan whether or not provided in the contract. 11. VSP shall have the right at all reasonable times to inspect such records of Group as VSP deems necessary to determine the number and eligibility of Covered Persons, and Group agrees to make such records available at such times and upon such requests. 12. Group its representatives Snot � roCovered els to any particular doctors shall hther ornot a member of the VSP Pan 13. If a VSP provider leaves the Plan for any reason, VSP shall remain responsible for furnishing vision hecareectin of VSt to P,nthrough anothents of such er Member Doctor.either the provider, , 14. VSP agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Group, its shareholders, directors, officers, agents, employees, successors and assigns from and against any and ail liability, claim, loss, injury, cause of action and expense (including defense costs and legal fees) of any nature whatsoever arising from the failure of VSP, its officers, agents or employees, to perform any of the activities, duties or responsibilities specified herein. Group agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless, VSP its members, shareholders, directors, officers, agents, employees, successors and assigns from and against any and all liability, claim, loss, injury, cause of action and expense (including defense costs and legal fees) of any nature whatsoever arising or resulting from the failure of Group, its officers or employees to perform any of the duties or responsibilities specified herein. -10- ASP 05/91 CA DEC 15 '93 10:56AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.14 0 VZSI�I�T SERVICE FT_� Ix. COSTS UNDER THE PLAN BENEFIT COSTS AND ADVANCE PAYMENT Group shall provide all funds necessary to pay the covered costs of professional services and ophthalmic materials (benefits) furnished to Covered Persons pursuant to this contract. In order to assure timely and adequate payment, Group agrees to make an advance payment of S6090.QQ. This advance payment is an estimate of benefit costs for one month. Group agrees to pay the actual costs of benefits on a monthly basis within ten (10) days after receipt of VSP's statement of benefits paid. The advance payment amount may be adjusted each contract term if the average of monthly benefit costs increases or decreases. The artier agree that such advance payment is reimbursable to the Group upon termina io been contract, after the Group's indebtedness to VSP and/or its benefit providers satisfied. However, amounts paid to VSP as advance payment shall not be considered assets of the Group, and need not be held in trust by VSP. 1 ADMINISTRATIVE PEE in consideration of the services rendered by VSP, Group agrees to pay-an administrative fee J1. of 2 per eligible employee, per month. Such administrative fee shall be payable monthly on or before the first (1st) day of each month. After the Initial Term, VSP may, upon sixty (60) days prior written notice, change this administrative fee provided that VSP shall not increase this fee more often than once in any twelve (12) month period. COST INCREASE DUE TO TAX Notwithstanding the above, VSP reserves the right to increase the amounts due pursuant to this contract by the amount of any tax or assessment, not now in effect, which is subsequently levied upon VSP by any state or other taxing authority and which is attributable to the payments VSP receives from Croup, In the event of such an increase, VSP shall provide Group with sixty (60) days advance notice. i DEDUCTIBLE .j The benefits described herein are available to each Covered Person from any participating VSP Member Doctor at no cost to the Covered Person. The Covered Person must follow the proper procedures by obtaining a VSP benefit form and presenting it to the doctor at the time of the examination. A DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT OF * SHALL BE PAYABLE BY THE COVERED PERSON TO THE MEMBER DOCTOR AT THE TIlVIE OF THE EXAMINATION. *FIVE DOLLARS ($5.00) or TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($25.00) AS D BY GROUP. -11- . 01/18/93 dk ASP 05/91 CPM DEC 15 '93 10:56AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.15 N71SION SERVICE . i OTHER CHARGES Any additional care, service, and/or materials not covered by this Plan may be arranged between the Covered Person and the doctor. p If the Covered Person does not obtain the VSP benefit form in advance, but visits the Member Doctor as a private patient, the Member Doctor is not obligated to accept VSP fees as full payment for these services but may elect to charge his usual and customary fees, the difference of which is to be paid by the Covered Person. I I i I -12- 05/91 " DEC 15 '93 10:57AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.16 0 VISION SERNUCE PIAN X. RENEWAL PROVISIONS 'PERM AND CANCELLATION CONDITIONS OF THIS VISION CARE CONTRACT ARE SHOWN ON THE FACE PAGE OF THIS CONTRACT. CONTRACT After the Initial Term of the contract, the contract shall continue on a "month-to-month" basis, automatically renewing the f�rstday eonditions shown unless onface page of this contract. er notice has been given in accordance with the cancellation n on When VSP initiates a cost increase, the date said cost increase is to take effect shall become the new contract renewal date. I TERMINATION OF CONTRACT - SERVICES BEING RENDERED i If service for a Covered Person herein is being rendered as of the termination date of this contract, such service shall be continued to completion, but in no event beyond six (5) months after the termination date of contract. INDIVIDUAL CONTINUATION OF BENEFITS The VSP program is available to groups of a minimum of ten (10) employees and is, therefore, not available on an individual basis. When a Group terminates its coverage, individual coverage is not available for Covered Persons who may desire to retain same. BASIS FOR 'TERMINATION OF CONTRACT 1. Failure of Group to make payment to VSP as outlined under "IX. COSTS UNDER THE PLAN"; or 2. The Group falls below minimum size requirement. However, in the event that a. group falls below ten (10) employees, the group may continue receiving benefits under this contract by maldng payment to VSP at the minimum group size. i j -13- ASP 05191 DEC 15 '93 10:57AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.17 KION SE CE vr.,L� - XI. CLAIMS APPEAL PROCEDURES COMPLAINTS - BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY 1. If a claim for benefits is denied, VSP will notify the claimant in writing of the specific reasons for the denial, including specific references to pertinent Plan provisions. VSP will also describe any additional materials or information necessary. 2. If the claimant, or the duly authorized representative, so requests within ninety (90) days of the date of receipt of written denial of the claim, the Group or its designated Plan Administrator will review the decision denying the claim. 3. The Group or its designated Plan Administrator will give the claimant a reasonable op rtunity for a full and fair review of the decision denying the claim. The claimant will be given the opportunity to review pertinent documents, and to submit any statements, documents, or written arguments in support of this claim, i 4. If thereafter claim is denied, the Group or its designated Plan Administrator will, within sixty (60) days after receipt of the request for review, advise the claimant in writing of the specific reasons for the decision, including specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which a decision is based. COMPLAINTS - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 1. The Covered Person's written complaint will be referred to VSP for action. 2. The complaint will be evaluated and, if deemed appropriate, the original examining doctor will be contacted. 3. If the complaint can be resolved within fifteen (15) days, the disposition of the complaint will be forwarded to the complainant. Otherwise, a notice of receipt of the complaint will be forwarded to the complainant advising the appropriate time for resolution. 4. Grievance procedures and complaint forms will be maintained in each Member Doctor's office. S. All complaints will be retained by VSP. IF GROUP OR COVERED PERSONS HAVE ANY QUES'T'IONS ABOUT BENEFITS OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RECEIVED, CONTACT VSP. I -14- 07/91 DEC 15 193 10:5a:#1 VSP SALES ADMIN P.18 VISILONS V jCE P14�t' XI1. DEFINITIONS I ANISOMETROPIA A condition of unequal refractive state for the two eyes, one eye requiring a different li lens correction than the other BENEFIT FORM A form prepared for a Covered Person who has received approval of service from VSP BLENDED LENSES Bifocals which do not have a visible dividing line A benefit form which has been presented CLAIM to a member or non-member provider at ,i the time the Covered Person secures services COATED LENSES A substance added to a finished lens on one or both surfaces COVERED PERSON The employee and dependents (if dependent coverage is provided) of the employer participating in the program GROUP The entity that contracts with VSP on behalf of its members KERATOCONUS A developmental or dystrophic deformity of the cornea in which it becomes coneshaped due to a thinning and stretching of the tissue in its central area Lenses, frame, low vision aids, contact MATERIALS lenses ORTHOPTICS The teaching and training process for the improvement of visual perception and coordination of the two eyes for efficient and comfortable binocular vision l i -15- 05/91 DEC 15 '93 10:58AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.19 . I 'ION SERVICE -. OVERSIZE LENSES Larger than standard lens blanks to accommodate prescriptions i i PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES Lenses which change color with intensity of sunlight PLAN ADMINISTRATOR The person specifically so designated on the application, or if an administrator is not so designated, the Group pLANO LENSES Lenses which have no refractive power PROFESSIONAL SERVICE Examination, material selection, fitting of glasses, related adjustments, etc, TINTED LENSES Lenses which have an additional substance added to produce constant tint (e.g. pink, grecs, gray, blue, etc.) i -16- 05191 r DEC 15 '93 10o59AM VSP SALES ADMIN P.20 N7%10N SERVICE FTAZ,' .v GROUP VISION CARE CONTRACT TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE I. TERM AND CANCELLATION Cover ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION 1 III. BENEFITS AND COVERAGE - SERVICES FROM 2 VSP MEMBER DOCTORS VISION EXAMINATION MATERIALS LENSES, FRAMES, CONTACT LENSES LOW VISION BENEFIT IV. FACILITIES 4 j5 V. CHOICE OF PROVIDERS SERVICES FROM NON-MEMBER PROVIDER LIABILITY OF COVERED PERSONS FOR PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT PROVISIONS VI. PROCEDURES FOR USING THE PLAN 7 VEXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF BENEFIT 8 II. VIII. GENERAL PROVISIONS 9 IX. COSTS UNDER THE PLAN 11 BENEFIT COSTS AND ADVANCE PAYMENT ADMINISTRATIVE FEE COST INCREASE DUE TO TAX DEDUCTIBLE OTHER CHARGES X. RENEWAL PROVISIONS 13 CONTRACT TERMINATION OF CONTRACT - SERVICES BEING RENDERED INDIVIDUAL CONTINUATION OF BENEFITS BASIS FOR TERMINATION OF CONTRACT XI. CLAIMS APPEAL PROCEDURES 14 COMPLAINTS - BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY COMPLAINTS - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES XII, DEFINITIONS 15 ASP 05191 'i