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Vision insurance is a wellness benefit that helps combat the costs ofregular eye exams and vision correction. Routine eye exams can provideinformation about overall health and help spot health problems, includingdiabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and glaucoma, in the early stages ofdevelopment.
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"We are excited to work with EyeMed to add a vision care plan to our groupproduct portfolio," said Cynthia Light, vice president, sales and marketingfor Shenandoah Life Insurance Company. "With nearly 150 million Americanswearing corrective lenses, a quality vision plan allows employers tostrengthen their benefit package with a useful, yet relatively inexpensive,benefit."
In recent years, vision insurance has become one of the fastest growingsegments in the group insurance business. Increased eyestrain, caused byextended hours in front of a computer monitor, and the addition of babyboomers into the senior market have escalated the need for vision correction.
Vision insurance can add to an employer's benefit package, which cansupport recruiting and retaining employees, and help address work productivityconcerns. The Journal of American Optometric Association found in a studypublished in 2004 that a slight miscorrection in eyesight can reduceproductivity by 40 percent and computer eyestrain can reduce productivity by50 percent.
Employers can offer StarVision(SM), which can be administered at two planlevels and various rate tiers, as an integrated part of their benefits plan oron a strictly voluntary basis. In addition to its new vision care plan,Shenandoah Life offers a full line of group insurance products includingdental, life, and long term and short term disability. Products are availableto employers of all sizes, from two lives plus.
EyeMed is a national leader in vision care, providing networkaccessibility to 140 million members through a large network of providers andthe nation's leading optical retailers including Lenscrafters, Pearle Vision,Sears Optical, JCPenney, Optical, Target Optical and private practitioners.
Shenandoah Life Insurance Company, headquartered in Roanoke, Va. is amutual life insurance company with more than $1.9 billion in assets and $15billion of insurance in force (source: 2007 audited annual financialstatements). The company was founded in 1914 and operates in 31 states andthe District of Columbia.
SOURCE Shenandoah Life Insurance Company
