NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For people who can’t see well without their glasses, it can be stressful to misplace or drop and break their glasses while away from home. According to the American Optometric Association, more than 81 percent of Americans use some form of vision correction.
Now, Empire BlueCross BlueShield healthplan vision members won’t need to worry about lost or broken glasses while traveling abroad. Blue View Vision members now have access to the International Travel Solution (ITS), a service that helps members in 20 international destinations. From quick fixes like temporary glasses or getting members in contact with an eye doctor, ITS provides support and resources abroad at no cost to the member for the service.
“Whether you are traveling for business and need your glasses to do your job or traveling for pleasure and need them for sightseeing, we have you covered,” said John Thorp, president of Empire’s vision business. “The International Travel Solution lets you travel for work or play with a little more peace of mind.”
ITS allows Blue View Vision members to find eye care providers, who have been verified to offer quality care and authentic frames. If the member has an eyewear emergency, such as lost or broken glasses, while traveling, they can use their out-of-network benefits. Additionally, members can request temporary emergency eyeglasses that adjust from +3 to -6 and they will receive them within 24 hours in most cases. The emergency pair is intended to get them by until replacement eyewear is ready and these glasses are theirs to keep.
ITS also provides access to translation services by dialing the international code from the country you are calling and then 1-513-765-2870. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in 160 languages for help communicating with the provider if necessary.
“People are extremely busy, so we’re doing what we can to make vision services easier during travel,” said Thorp. “And, we can simplify the lives of our members by connecting their vision and health insurance with our Empire Whole Health Connection℠ program. For example, when members have our vision and health plans we can create complete health profiles and share them with their doctors. Simplifying things for our members by providing integrated benefits saves them time and energy.”
The service is available in 20 international locations: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Puerto Rico US, Spain and Switzerland.
Blue View Vision members can find additional instructions on how to access ITS by logging into their account at www.empireblue.com.
(Stat Source: http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/diet-and-nutrition/eye-q-survey?sso=y)
About Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Serving New Yorkers for 80 years, Empire BlueCross BlueShield is the largest health insurer in New York supporting more than four million members and more than 38,000 business, union and small employers in New York. Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at @empirebcbs.