Q: What are the key features or benefits of VSP Individual Vision Plans that agents should highlight when discussing them with potential clients?
A: When you add VSP® Individual Vision Plans to your suite of offerings, you can help ensure your clients have access to the vision coverage they need, no matter what stage of life they’re in. When helping clients select a plan, it’s important to make sure they’re selecting a plan based on their needs whether they wear contacts, progressives, or prefer a higher allowance on their frame. With VSP, members can expect low out-of-pocket costs, and typically save over $300 a year on eye care and eyewear.1
VSP Individual Vision Plans also provide access to a robust network of nationwide doctors and access points, as well as online and storefront retail options where members can directly connect their benefits. With the freedom to choose payment options that best meet their needs, the flexibility to use their benefits at any point during their plan year, and a 92% member satisfaction rate2, brokers can feel confident that their clients will be highly satisfied with VSP Individual Vision Plan products and services.
Q: What are some of the most common vision care questions members ask, and how should an agent respond if they are asked these questions?
Agents often get asked:
“What are the benefits are of getting a VSP Individual Vision Plan?”
VSP Individual Vision Plans offer:
- Plans that meet your clients' needs with significant savings on contacts, progressives, and a wide selection of designer eyewear.
- Low out-of-pocket costs. VSP members typically save over $300 a year on eye care and eyewear.1
- Flexible payments options and no waiting periods. VSP members can choose annual or monthly payment options, and can use their benefits at any point during their plan year.
- Easy access for members to use their benefits. With a nationwide network of doctors, access points, and online and storefront retails options including Eyeconic® and Visionworks®, VSP members can easily connect and use their benefits.
- Powerful preventative care. An eye exam is the only non-invasive way to view blood vessels in the body, helping eye doctors detect signs of over 270 health conditions.3
“Why should I choose VSP?”
At VSP we place members at the heart of everything we do. We have exceptional customer service and we guarantee the satisfaction of our members with our VSP Member Promise. We’re committed to the health and happiness of our members. If a member isn’t happy, we have a customer service team empowered to make it right. With a 92% satisfaction rate, agents can feel confident their clients will be highly satisfied with VSP Individual Vision Plans.2
Q: What trends or changes do you foresee in the vision insurance industry, and how is VSP Vision™ preparing for them?
A: With 4 million Americans turning 65 this year and every year through 20274, VSP Individual Vision Plans is helping improve access to vision care for older adults who may not have access to traditional employer-sponsored plans or who may have gaps in existing coverage through government programs, like Medicare. Additionally, the cost of living has increased with inflation and consumers are becoming more vigilant on reducing personal expenses. It’s an important time to make sure your clients are set up with an individual vision plan as many plans are more valuable than ever, equating to more savings for your clients.
Q: What recent innovations or enhancements has VSP Vison introduced to improve the member experience?
A: VSP continues to focus on the member experience and growing accessibility to eye care and eyewear. With VSP Individual Vision Plans the choices have expanded when it comes to where and how members want to use their benefits. Not only can members choose from over 38,000 private-practice doctors nationwide, they also have expanded access to over 700 Visionworks storefront retail locations. For members that prefer to shop online, they can seamlessly connect and use their benefits and even virtually try on frames at Eyeconic – the online eyewear store for VSP members.
As a valued carrier partner, VSP Vision can offer a fantastic incentive to agents contracted with MWG Broker Services this coming Fall 2024. Can you please provide details about this incentive?
A: From September 1 through December 31, 2024, Morgan White Group brokers can earn a $100 Tango gift card for every five new VSP Individual Vision Plan enrollments!5 The more they sell, the more they can earn and the gift cards are unlimited.
Tango e-gift cards leave the freedom of choice to the recipients. With a global reward catalog of 1,000+ digital gift cards, prepaid cards, and charitable donation options, there’s something for everyone. The Tango reward catalog includes top retailers and restaurants like Amazon®, Starbucks®, Ulta Beauty®, Door Dash®, Home Depot®, Apple®, and many more! Rewards will be distributed in January 2025.
1 Saving based on state and national averages for eye exams and most commonly purchased brands. This number represents average savings for VSP members at in-network providers. Your actual savings will depend on the eyewear you choose, your plan, the eye doctor you visit, your copays, and your premium. Source: VSP book-of-business paid claims data for Aug-Jan of each prior year.
2 Year-end 2023 VSP Indirect Membership data
3 Full Picture of Eye Health, American Optometric Association, 2020
4 Retirees 55+, CBS News, January 2024
5 Tango e-gift cards are your ticket to tons of top retailers and restaurants. Check out tangocard.com/the-tango-card/ for details.
Warren Laird is a Senior Business Development Manager who has been with VSP for nearly 30 years. His focus areas currently include new business development, and managing VSP Individual Vision Plan partnerships east of the Mississippi River. His tenure at VSP has been filled with great success, leading sales teams, managing key relationships, and securing and growing large partnerships over the years.
Prior to joining VSP, Warren held the position of Sales Manager at Health Source (now owned by Cigna) where he was also a key contributor in sales and sales management.
When Warren isn't working, you can find him enjoying time with family and traveling.