Dino, you should change your handle to blueDino. No matter what board you go
to, you always defend the blue pig. Doubt many out here (except the real old
ones that don't know how things really are today) would agree with you. Also,
what evidence to you have that supports your statement of these providers
"ripping us off for years"?


--- In ibmretiree@yahoogroups.com, "lastdino1" <lastdino1@...> wrote:
>
> Sometimes I am amazed at the thought process of some of the IBM'ers. Why would
anyone think that a company like IBM or any other large company is looking out
for them. The objective here is to provide some form of coverage at the lowest
cost to the company. They continue to negotiate on health care , dental and
vision plans aimed at getting the best deal for IBM. This will either thin out
the vision providers or make them join the plan. Looks like most will join. I
would not expect any change for 2013. The way I see it is these providers have
been ripping us off for years so let's squeeze them a bit. Life is Good
>
> --- In ibmretiree@yahoogroups.com, "exitasap" <exitasap@> wrote:
> >
> > I'm retired. The new Blue Cross/Blue Shield Blue View Vision plan costs
$24.50/mo, vs the prior $39/mo in 2011 (self+2 or more). At first glance, the
benefits seemed fairly equivalent. So I called my optometrist of 25 years to
let him know, that all his many IBM patients would be affected.
> >
> > "I looked into Blue View Vision and it is part of EyeMed. The reimbursement
is so low for an eye exam that I cannot afford to see patients under the plan
unless I become very aggressive and sell multiple eyeglasses and/or contact
lenses and accessories privately to the patient in order to cover costs. For
instance, our 30-40 min eye exam's fee is $152. VSP pays about $100 but EyeMed
pays only $70 and I cannot charge the patient any more. So most of the docs who
accept Eye Med will try to up sell and I don't want to do that."
> >
> > With an office staff (assistant, accounting, frame fitters, etc), I can
understand the reduced $70 allowance is too low -- and he would not be allowed
to charge more to the patient, e.g. another $30 to make equivalent to VSP, even
all his patient were willing (for the patient this would be OK, given reduced
premium)
> >
> > I presume IBM does care for one moment that many employees and retirees will
be negatively affected, and either must switch optometrists, or drop coverage
(what they want!). Why the change after all these years with VSP, which has
provided excellent coverage at reasonable cost, unsubsidized premium. The new
plan encouraged a reduction in quality services.
> >
> > How about a Choice of VSP or BVV for plan year 2013, after the BVV
transitional period runs its course.
> >
>