By Cathy Ciccolella: Senior Contributing Editor
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—After years of emphasizing its exclusive
use of private-practice eyecare practitioners for its provider network,
VSP Global recently launched a “pilot” program with Costco Wholesale
through which those employees of a number of employer groups (and
current VSP clients) who are Costco warehouse club members can use their
VSP vision benefits at the vision centers in Costco’s stores.
VM has learned that this test, which began early this month,
allows those Costco members to get their eye exams and buy eyewear at
Costco Optical locations, then have Costco submit their claims
electronically to VSP. These eyewear benefits are reportedly available
only to employees of the employer groups participating in the test who
are also members of the warehouse club chain; by law in most areas, any
consumer can get an eye exam at a Costco Optical location without being a
Costco member.
Executives at Costco Optical declined to provide information to
VM about this pilot program with VSP. Costco had previously accepted
vision insurance through Spectera (now OptumHealth Vision) through an
agreement that ended several years ago.
Asked for specific details about the Costco program or its
implications about working with other possible retail providers going
forward, Kate Renwick-Espinosa, chief marketing officer for VSP Global,
told VM, “VSP’s mission of driving patients into private-practice
doctors’ offices remains the same. To that end, we have and will
continue to pilot a number of innovative approaches to the market.
Recently, VSP has offered new practice management incentives, lens
technology solutions and other optical and managed care programs.”
Added Renwick-Espinosa, “Although Costco is not part of the VSP
network, our pilot and relationship with Costco is designed to help us
win new contracts that ultimately will mean more patients in private
practice. We will continue to look at programs that strengthen and grow
the private-practice channel.”
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