I have been trying to find information and/or the best way to extend a benefit to our employees.

We were thinking of adding vision care to our health plan but thought that a better way to give a benefit to all of our employees rather than just those with vision care needs, is to give each employee X amount of dollars per year that can be used towards vision care, health club memeberships etc.

I have spoken to my Flexible Spending Administrator without success.

Does anyone have a similar benefit set up and if so, how does it work?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!!

You make the vision plan an option and give $X to every employee who waives the vision plan. That's just another form of 125 plan.

Sounds like you need a new Flexible Spending Administrator!

Your current broker, consultant or plan administrator should be able to help you set up a program where you provide your employees with a $ amount for vision coverage.

Depending on the size of your group, certain vision carriers will provide a voluntary vision program. This can be 100% employee paid or done on a contributory basis. These plans have very low participation requirements (although we typically see 60 to 70% of eligible employees enroll!).

Another scenario is to provide a very inexpensive core vision benefit and provide an option for the employees to "buy-up" for more comprehensive coverage.

Phil Cohen
Broad Reach Benefits, Inc. www.voluntaryvision.com
(800) 272-1144

We currently administer just the type of plan you describe for a number of employer groups. If you would like more info, you can e-mail me or call 800-688-2611 ext.205