| 1. |
How much of a discount I can expect? |
| 2. |
What about the contact lenses? How much I can save through the plan? |
| 3. |
Describe the “Free Eye Exam.” Does everyone in my family get one? |
| 4. |
If I purchase a 2 Year or 3 Year Plan, how many free eye exams do I receive? |
| 5. |
None of your providers in my area give a free eye exam? How can I get one? |
| 6. |
How can the ECI Vision Plan provide these benefits? |
| 7. |
Will my membership fees go up if I incur major vision expenses? |
| 8. |
How often can I use the ECI Vision Plan? |
| 9. |
I have a pre-existing condition which needs treatment. Can I still use this plan? |
| 10. |
The vision program covers me and my immediate family. What is your definition of immediate family? |
| 11. |
If I have vision insurance, do I need this plan also? |
| 12. |
What qualifications must a vision provider meet to join your network? |
| 13. |
My personal optometrist/ophthalmologist is not currently participating in your network.. What does he/she have to do to participate? |
| 14. |
Can I change providers? |
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| 1. |
How much of a discount I can expect? |
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You will save from 20% to 70% on eye care and from 40% to 60% on eyewear. We have a consistent national pricing structure. |
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For surgical eye care procedures, our ophthalmologists discount their fees 20% below the Medicare allowable rate. For example, if cataract surgery were to cost $2,500 and Medicare would allow $1,000, you would pay only $800 –a savings of 68%. You also can save on traditionally non-covered procedures such as vision correction surgery (RK, Excimer Laser and LASIK) and cosmetic surgery (CO2 Laser skin resurfacing and eyelid surgery). |
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For eye wear, our optometric providers utilize the “Frames” wholesale pricing structure for our members purchasing glasses, plus a modest dispensing fee which ranges from $30 to $50, depending upon the complexity of the lenses. The savings usually range between 40% and 60%, but never less than 20%. Our providers also dispense contact lenses (except disposables which are available through mail order) at a savings of 20% and sunglasses at prices 20% below retail. This is in addition to the mail order part of the program where much greater savings are available. |
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| 2. |
What about the contact lenses? How much I can save through the plan? |
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If you purchase contact lenses at a provider location, the discount is 20% (disposable contacts are not discounted). However, you may save considerably more by using our special mail-order program to purchase replacement contact lenses at wholesale pricing (including disposables). The mail order savings generally will be around 50%. |
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| 3. |
Describe the “Free Eye Exam.” Does everyone in my family get one? |
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Over 1,400 of our providers nationwide will give you one free eye exam per membership per year. For example, a family of four will receive a free eye exam for one member and the other three will receive a discount on the fee if they see one of our participating ophthalmologists. |
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If I purchase a 2 Year or 3 Year Plan, how many free eye exams do I receive? |
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You will receive either 2 or 3 eye exam certificates depending upon which Plan you purchase. You or your covered family members may redeem one certificate each membership year. The redemption period will be listed on each certificate. |
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| 5. |
None of your providers in my area give a free eye exam? How can I get one? |
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Although we anticipate having providers in your area soon who will give you a free eye exam, you can’t get one today unless you are willing to travel to an area where we currently do have such providers. |
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| 6. |
How can the ECI Vision Plan provide these benefits? |
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The ECI Vision Plan Provider Network has a very large membership base and therefore has been able to negotiate substantial discount contracts with vision providers. When joining our plan, a vision provider’s patient volume generally increases so he/she can more than make up for the reduced pricing. |
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Will my membership fees go up if I incur major vision expenses? |
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No! The ECI Vision Plan is not insurance and your membership fee is not based upon the amount of money you spend for eye wear or eye care. |
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| 8. |
How often can I use the ECI Vision Plan? |
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There is no limit to how many times you can use the program or how much money you can save. As long as you are a paid member, you may use the plan as often as you like. |
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| 9. |
I have a pre-existing condition which needs treatment. Can I still use this plan? |
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Yes. There are no restrictions with the Plan. Once you receive your membership card, you can visit any of the Network providers and start saving right away. |
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| 10. |
The vision program covers me and my immediate family. What is your definition of immediate family? |
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Immediate family refers to all family members living in your household including your spouse, children (under age 18), parents and grand parents living in your household. Children over age 18 who are full time students also are covered as long as they are using your home address. |
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| 11. |
If I have vision insurance, do I need this plan also? |
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This plan works very well with vision insurance. Here’s why. Your out-of-pocket costs may be lower because the percentage of the bill you must pay will now be based on a total lower bill. For example, if you have a $300 bill for eye glasses and your insurance pays 60%, then you must pay 40% or $120. Now let’s assume as a ECI Vision Plan Member, your bill is discounted to $150. You now must pay 40% of $150 or $60. You end up saving $60 (the difference between $120 and $60). |
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| 12. |
What qualifications must a vision provider meet to join your network? |
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Each one of our ophthalmologists and optometrists undergoes a thorough credentialing process and must pass strict guidelines in order to join our network. The process includes verifying professional credentials, licenses and liability coverage. Only qualified professionals are accepted for participation. |
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| 13. |
My personal optometrist/ophthalmologist is not currently participating in your network.. What does he/she have to do to participate? |
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HE/SHE must call 1-800-354-8336 and request the necessary information to apply. |
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VERY IMPORTANT: Do not call for your provider. We must talk personally with him/her to verify information needed to apply. |
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| 14. |
Can I change providers? |
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You may change providers any time you wish. All you would need to do is select another provider from the list of participating providers (click PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS to locate participating providers in your area). It’s that easy. |
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