Vision
Administered by VSP Vision Care
- Full Full eligibility available
- Mid Mid eligibility available
- Core Core eligibility available
- Retirees Retirees eligibility available
On this page:
Understanding your costs
UC pays the full cost of the monthly vision plan premium for eligible employees and their family members.
How to enroll
Newly-hired employees are given a 31-day period of initial eligibility (PIE) to enroll. You may also enroll during UC’s annual open enrollment period.
How the plan works
The allowances and copays below apply to providers within the VSP Advantage network. Check out vsp.com to find your VSP network doctor. If you choose to see an out-of-network provider, you’ll likely pay higher out-of-pocket costs and need to submit a claim.
- One vision examination per calendar year — including testing and analysis of eye health and any necessary prescriptions for lenses or contact lenses. You pay a $10 copay.
- One set of corrective lenses per calendar year — including single vision, bifocal, trifocal, standard progressive or other complex glass or plastic lenses. Photo-chromatic lenses, tints and polycarbonate lenses are fully covered if you use a provider in the VSP network. You pay a $25 copay.
- One set of frames every other calendar year up to $160.
- Maximum contact lens benefit of $160 for lenses, with the exam covered separately with a copay of up to $60. If you choose elective contact lenses, frames and corrective lenses cannot be covered in the same calendar year. The full cost is covered if contact lenses are medically necessary and you use a VSP provider. Generally, contacts are covered for those who have had cataract surgery, have extreme acuity problems that cannot be corrected with glasses or have some conditions of anisometropia or keratoconus.
- You may also purchase annual supplies of select contact lenses at a reduced cost. Talk to your VSP provider or see the VSP website for additional details.
- Discounts on laser corrective vision surgery through VSP-contracted laser centers. Call VSP for more information.
- Eye care services for Type 1 diabetics through the VSP Primary Eyecare Plan. Contact a VSP doctor for more information.
- If you use a VSP network doctor or provider, you pay only the required copays for covered services and the cost of any services or materials beyond the allowance.
- Additional discounts are available for services the plan doesn’t cover, including:
- 30% discount on additional pairs of glasses, including sunglasses, if purchased from the VSP doctor who provides the member’s eye exam on the same day as the exam.
- 20% discount for additional pairs of prescription glasses purchased within 12 months following the last covered eye exam if purchased from the VSP doctor who provided the exam.
- 15% discount for contact lens fittings or adjustments.
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- Beneficios de salud y vivienda para retirados
- Opción de Retiro de la UC (nivel 2016) si no está sujeto a PEPRA
- Plan de Jubilación de la UC, nivel 1976
- Plan de Jubilación de la UC, nivel 2013
- Programa de Ahorros para la Jubilación
- Programa de Opción de Jubilación de la UC (nivel 2016 del UCRP)
- Visión
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- Affordable Care Act
- Behavioral health benefits
- COBRA
- Coverage for COVID-19 tests
- Emergency resources from UC’s benefit plans
- Health coverage outside the U.S.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Notification for Medical Program Eligibility
- Open Enrollment for 2025 benefits: Frequently asked questions
- Premium assistance under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Resolving disputes
- Tax savings accounts: Know your options
- Taxes and your benefits
- Telehealth
- Terms and conditions
- Transgender and nonbinary health benefits
- University of California Healthcare Plan Notice of Privacy Practices – Self-Funded Plans
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- A new employee
- Adding a family member to your insurance
- Adopting a child
- Applying for disability
- Being laid off
- Changing jobs within UC
- Changing your address
- Enrolling in Medicare
- Establishing a domestic partnership
- Getting married
- Going on military leave
- Having a baby
- Laid off temporarily
- Leaving UC employment
- Lo despiden
- Lo despiden temporalmente
- Preparing for retirement
- Removing a family member from insurance
- Taking a furlough
- Taking a leave of absence
- Taking a sabbatical
- Taking paid leave
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