All Health and Welfare benefits become effective upon completion of the required waiting period.

Vision Care Programs — Active Members

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Basic Program

  • Basic Program Reimbursement
  • How does an eligible person obtain Basic Vision Benefits?

 

Conditions

  • Who is Eligible?
  • Benefit Periods
  • Contact Lenses
  • Exclusions and Limitations

 

Alternative N.V.A. Vision Program

  • Purpose
  • If you elect to use one of the participating Optometrists or Ophthalmologists, there may be No Out-Of-Pocket payment for frames.
  • Using an Unlisted Doctor
  • Extras
  • Payments

Vision Care Programs

You may choose either the Basic Program or the Alternate N.V.A. Vision Plan

BASIC PROGRAM

Basic Program Reimbursement—You are reimbursed after payment

  • Examinations–Once every calendar year–up to $25.00 an examination
  • Lenses–Once every two calendar years unless a change is required in the calendar year as a result of the above examination
    • Regular lenses (two)…Up to $24.00
    • Bifocal lenses (two)…Up to $38.00
    • Trifocal (two)…Up to $56.00
  • Frames–Once every two calendar years unless a change is required in the next calendar year as a result of the above lens change…Up to $24.00

How does an eligible person obtain Basic Vision Benefits?

  • Obtain a form from your Building Representative or call the Health and Welfare Fund office, 215-561-2722;
  • Choose a legally qualified ophthalmologist, optometrist or optician;
  • Complete your portion of the form–have the ophthalmologist, optometrist or optician complete the appropriate portions of the form;
  • Send completed form to the PFT Health and Welfare Office;
  • You will be reimbursed directly.
  • If you are not eligible, you will not receive any reimbursement.

CONDITIONS

Who is Eligible?

  • Any Member of a PFT bargaining unit that is eligible for Vision Benefits.
  • The spouse
  • Dependent children up to attainment of age 26.

Benefit Periods

  • Examination–Every calendar year
  • Lenses and frames once every two calendar years unless a lens change (.5 diopters) is required

Contact Lenses

  • Contact lenses–Only if medically required as verified by the PFT Health and Welfare Doctor–up to $80.00 a lens (contact Health & Welfare Office)
  • Contact lenses that are not medically required will receive an allowance of $73.00 (including the examination)

Exclusions and Limitations

  • Expenses for which benefits are payable under any Workers’ Compensation Law
  • Special procedures such as surgical or medical treatment of the eyes, orthoptics, and visual training
  • Replacement of lost, stolen or broken lenses and/or frames (until allotted waiting period stated above has been completed)
  • Services or supplies not listed in the Benefits listed above
  • Expenses for services or supplies for which no payment is required of the member
  • Expenses for service and supplies unless they are prescribed by a legally qualified ophthalmologist, physician, optometrist, or optician
  • In the event a member, spouse or an eligible dependent is entitled to receive payment from any other source, then in such event the liability of this Fund is limited solely and completely to the payment of the excess, if any, of the amount otherwise payable by this Fund. (Submit to other Program first–then send copy of their form showing payment with the PFT Vision Care form.)

ALTERNATIVE N.V.A. VISION PROGRAM

Purpose

  • To provide thorough vision analysis (including Tonometry test), lenses manufactured to exacting standards and a wide selection of quality frames with NO OUTLAY OF MONEY by the member!
  • To control the cost of more expensive frames and cosmetic items such as tints and photograys so that the member may save money. The savings could be as much as 50% of the retail cost.

If You Elect to Use One of the Participating Optometrists or Ophthalmologists – there is No Out-Of-Pocket Payment For:

  • Examination
  • Fitting fee for frames
  • Any frames whose wholesale cost is $24.00 or less
  • Regular size lenses (single or multifocal)

Frames

  • Your $24.00 allowance is applied to the wholesale cost of the frames. These typically sell at retail prices that range from $48.00 to $72.00. Currently, your basic plan pays you an allowance after you’ve paid the retail price.
  • If you pick more expensive frames you pay the difference between the $24.00 and the actual wholesale cost plus 20% of this difference.

ALL CHARGES ARE MONITORED BY N.V.A.

Using an Unlisted Doctor

  • You may use an unlisted Doctor (use basic form) and use a listed provider (special form). However, check your list of providers carefully in order to see which ones will fit and make glasses without an examination.

Extras

  • You pay wholesale cost. N.V.A. monitors charges.

Payments

  • Your basics, as listed above, are covered by the fund. You pay the Optometrist or Ophthalmologist for the extras.

How does an eligible person use N.V.A. vision benefits?

  • Obtain a lsit of eligible providers from your Building Representative;
  • Make your appointment and notify the NVA participating provider that your coverage is administered by NVA and sponsored by the PFT.