Eligibility

This benefit is available to eligible employees and their dependents. Eligible employees are considered regular status employees and non-regular term appointment employees working 30 hours or more per week. Eligible dependents may include spouse, qualified domestic partner, children to age 26 (the end of the month in which age 26 is attained), and disabled children age 26 or older.

Enrollment

New eligible employees may enroll by completing and submitting the Benefit Enrollment/ Waiver Form within their first 31 days of employment . Benefits are effective the first of the month after 30 days of employment. Otherwise, existing employees may enroll annually during the open enrollment process (fall) or due to a change in status/qualifying event. Late enrollment may also be requested; however, a 90 day waiting period applies. Coverage begins the first of the month after the 90 day waiting period. The waiting period begins when the enrollment form is received by Benefit Services.

About the Plan

Vision services are available through the Vision Service Plan. 100% of the premium is paid by the employee. Please see the Vision Summary of Benefits for details. You can use the coverage as soon as it is effective, however, if you plan to schedule an appointment within the first 2 weeks of your effective date, please contact Benefit Services.

Provider

Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Website: http://www.vsp.com/ Ph: (800) 877-7195

Provider Plan Information/Handouts

How to Start Using this Benefit

Plan participants do not automatically receive a vision benefit card. You may print a card at www.vsp.com. Use your social security number as your member number when first creating your user account, then enter a unique user ID. In network providers will access benefit information using your social security number. The VSP NMSU group number is 12340658. Out of Network Provider Information: Please be aware that if you opt to go outside of the network for your eye care needs, your financial responsibility is significantly greater than if you choose an in-network provider. Out-of-network reimbursement amounts are found in the VSP Summary of Benefits.

Benefit Termination

You may voluntarily cancel coverage for yourself and or dependents during open enrollment, or due to a change in status/qualifying event. Upon termination of employment, coverage ceases at midnight on the 1 ^st day of the month if employment terminates between the 1 ^st and 1 ^st day of the month, provided the applicable premium for the pay period has been paid. If an employee terminates between the 16 ^th and the last day of the month, coverage ceases at midnight on the last day of the month, provided the applicable premium for the pay period has been paid. Nine (9) month employees who do not return to work the next academic year, vision insurance is canceled retroactively to the end of the pay period in which their regular employment ends (typically May 1 ^st).

NMSU Policy Reference: ARP 8.27 – Vision Insurance