MASON, Ohio— EyeMed Vision Care, one of the leading managed vision care plans in the U.S. and a division of Luxottica Group, today announced the launch of EyePrefer, which offers three levels of coverage. Reflecting the current attitudes and behaviors employees have toward vision care, the new product offers three options—Essential, Enhanced and EyeMax—which will enable covered employees to choose a plan that fits their specific household needs and budget.

With the EyePrefer Essential plan, employees and/or their dependents receive the basics, including a comprehensive eye exam and complete pair of prescription glasses or contact lens allowance. For those households looking for an expanded range of choice in frames and lenses, the EyePrefer Enhanced plan offers higher allowances and lower copays. EyePrefer's EyeMax plan offers households the most flexibility and options, including two pairs of prescription glasses (opportunity for second pair or sun Rx) or a generous contact lens allowance.

“Membership analysis gave us the foundation to develop consumer-centric vision plan choices,” said Pete Bridgman, VP, strategy and innovation. A 2012 EyeMed member study revealed that, when offered a choice between a standard and enhanced vision plan, employees choose the enhanced plan 65 percent of the time. EyeMed's member survey also revealed that 87 percent of members want a tool to help guide their vision care decisions. As a result, EyeMed developed EyeNav, a new interactive online tool that guides employees through a series of questions and recommends an EyePrefer plan based on their responses.

Tammy Nelson, VP, marketing and communication, told VMail, "The EyePrefer plans will not replace current EyeMed plans. They are simply an additional product we’ve added to our portfolio of consumer-centric product offerings." She added, "These plans are now available for consideration to many of our new and existing clients. EyeMed representatives can help determine eligibility. We expect that the majority of EyePrefer plans sold this year will take effect Jan. 1, 2014.The administration of these plans will work in the same way as the plans we offer today."

Covering more than 35 million lives with a client base of nearly 10,000, EyeMed Vision Care provides its members access to credentialed doctors in a network that includes independent providers as well as retailers LensCrafters, Target Optical, Sears Optical and most Pearle Vision locations.