LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The National Association of Vision Care Plans is urging its member plans to promote vision benefits to employers and consumers. With support from Transitions Optical, the National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) released a position paper summarizing the results of presentations and discussions among NAVCP medical directors that focused on strategies to increase interest in the vision benefit in a changing health care environment.

"The Affordable Care Act and its impact on health benefit strategy is the big topic with most employers these days—but where does that leave specialty health benefits like vision?" Julian Roberts, executive director of NAVCP and the National Association of Specialty Health Organizations (NASHO), said. “Employers already struggle to find the time to educate employees on the importance of this powerful wellness tool, yet it is more important than ever to get employees to prioritize vision care."

The paper notes that increased time at work and use of digital devices contributes to eye strain. “Growing groups within the workforce, such as the aging population and ethnic minorities, are also at higher risk of eye and overall health disease that can reduce visual and general work performance. Economic pressures and competing priorities distract employees from focusing on their eye health,” the paper noted.

Roundtable participants suggest that member plans urge consumers to make eyecare a priority and share messages about prevention, productivity and products in their communications. They also suggest that the plans offer coverage options for higher-performing lenses for enhancing and protecting vision.

The consensus paper can be downloaded from the NAVCP and Transitions Healthy Sight Working for You websites.