Vision Care Programs — Active Members

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Vision Care Programs

You may choose either the Basic Program or the Alternate N.V.A. Vision Plan Back to Top

Examinations--Once every calendar year--up to $25.00 an examination
Lenses--Once every two calendar years unless a change is required in the calendar year as a result of the above examination

Frames--Once every two calendar years unless a change is required in the next calendar year as a result of the above lens change...Up to $24.00 Back to Top

Obtain a form from your Building Representative.
Choose a legally qualified ophthalmologist, optometrist or optician.
Complete your portion of the form--have the ophthalmologist, optometrist or optician complete the appropriate portions of the form.
Send completed form to the PFT Health and Welfare Office.
You will be reimbursed directly.
If you are not eligible, you will not receive any reimbursement. Back to Top

Member of a PFT bargaining unit that is eligible for Vision Benefits and who has completed ten pay periods or five months, whichever is shorter
The spouse
Dependent children up to attainment of age 19
Dependent children up to attainment of age 25 (if the child was eligible for coverage as a dependent prior to age 19), living at home, enrolled in a post-high school educational program
Incapacitated dependent children, 19 years or over Back to Top

Examination--Every calendar year
Lenses and frames once every two calendar years unless a lens change (.5 diopters) is required Back to Top

Contact lenses--Only if medically required as verified by the PFT Health and Welfare Doctor--up to $80.00 a lens (contact Health & Welfare Office)
Contact lenses that are not medically required will receive an allowance of $73.00 (including the examination) Back to Top

Expenses for which benefits are payable under any Workers' Compensation Law
Special procedures such as surgical or medical treatment of the eyes, orthoptics, and visual training
Replacement of lost, stolen or broken lenses and/or frames (until allotted waiting period stated above has been completed)
Services or supplies not listed in the Benefits listed above
Expenses for services or supplies for which no payment is required of the member
Expenses for service and supplies unless they are prescribed by a legally qualified ophthalmologist, physician, optometrist, or optician
In the event a member, spouse or an eligible dependent is entitled to receive payment from any other source, then in such event the liability of this Fund is limited solely and completely to the payment of the excess, if any, of the amount otherwise payable by this Fund. (Submit to other Program first--then send copy of their form showing payment with the PFT Vision Care form.) Back to Top

To provide thorough vision analysis (including Tonometry test), lenses manufactured to exacting standards and a wide selection of quality frames with NO OUTLAY OF MONEY by the member!
To control the cost of more expensive frames and cosmetic items such as tints and photograys so that the member may save money. The savings could be as much as 50% of the retail cost. Back to Top

Your $24.00 allowance is applied to the wholesale cost of the frames. These typically sell at retail prices that range from $48.00 to $72.00. Currently, your basic plan pays you an allowance after you've paid the retail price.
If you pick more expensive frames you pay the difference between the $24.00 and the actual wholesale cost plus 20% of this difference. Back to Top

ALL CHARGES ARE MONITORED BY N.V.A.

Using an Unlisted Doctor

You may use an unlisted Doctor (use basic form) and use a listed provider (special form). However, check your list of providers carefully in order to see which ones will fit and make glasses without an examination. Back to Top

Your basics, as listed above, are covered by the fund. You pay the Optometrist or Ophthalmologist for the extras. Back to Top

Obtain a Request for an N.V.A. Plan Form from your Building Representative.
Mail the Request in to the PFT Health and Welfare Office.
You will receive, in the mail, an N.V.A. Form with the name of the requested eligible person, and a list of eligible providers. The form will also have an expiration date on it.
Choose a listed provider. Make an appointment for a date prior to the expiration date on the form. The expiration date is valid as long as the person listed is eligible. Back to Top