Vision Benefits
Optional Vision Insurance
Vision insurance provides benefits for eye exams, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and contact lens fittings and evaluations. It is available to all Metro employees who are eligible for Metro benefits and to Metro pensioners.
| FAST FACTS About Vision Insurance | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | » Metro employees who are eligible for other Metro benefits » Metro pensioners |
| Coverage Levels | Single, family and split coverage available. |
| Highlights | For exams, eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses, and contact lens fitting and evaluation. |
| Cost | You pay the full cost of coverage at group rates. |
| Plan Options | » Basic Plan (covers exam every 12 months, lenses/frames or contacts every 24 months) » Enhanced Plan (covers exam every 12 months, as well as lenses/frames or contacts every 12 months) |
Eligibility
You are eligible for optional vision insurance if you are:
- a Metro employee who is eligible for other Metro benefits or
- a Metro pensioner
Cost
You pay the full cost of vision insurance at group rates. In general, group rates are lower than rates for individual coverage. For rates, see your Enrollment Packet or contact the insurance carrier.
Coverage Levels
You may choose from three levels of vision coverage:
- Single — Metro employee or Metro pensioner only
- Family — Metro employee or Metro pensioner plus family
Alternatively, you may choose family coverage and let your spouse decline coverage. This approach provides the same coverage at the same cost, but all premiums are deducted from the pay of the person choosing family coverage. In some cases, paying premiums from one check helps you save on taxes.
Tax-Free Reimbursement of Vision Care Expenses
If you are enrolled in a HealthCare Flexible Spending Account, you may be able to reimburse yourself with tax-free dollars for vision care expenses not covered by the vision plan, such as copayments, the cost of eyeglasses or contacts, and laser surgery. (Laser surgery is not covered under Metro’s vision insurance.)
For more about Flexible Spending Accounts — what they cover, how they work, and how to enroll — see the Income Protection section.
Automatic Re-Enrollment
Once you enroll in vision insurance, you do not need to re-enroll each year. Your coverage will automatically continue until you elect to discontinue it.
Discontinuing Coverage
Because vision insurance is paid with pre-tax dollars*, you may only drop vision coverage or change coverage levels at Annual Enrollment, unless you have a qualifying life-changing event. For a list of life-changing events and instructions for changing your benefit elections, see your departmental Human Resources Coordinator or call Metro Human Resources.
* Vision insurance premiums are deducted from your pay in pre-tax dollars, which lowers your taxable income. If you want your vision premiums deducted in after-tax dollars, call Metro Human Resources.