By Staff
Friday, January 15, 2021 12:30 AM
Versant Health names new CEO, Aflac adds vision and dental insurance, optical sales continue resurgence, EyeSouth Partners expands network and EyeCare Partners adds Texas practices all topped this week’s
VMAIL news feed. Click on the headlines below to catch up on anything you might have missed.
By Staff
Thursday, January 14, 2021 12:30 AM
COLUMBUS, Ga.—
Aflac (NYSE: AFL), a leading provider of supplemental insurance products, announced this week the national launch of Aflac Vision and Dental Insurance, which the company said marks its “expansion into offering products based on a provider network.” As a component of the insurer's continual growth strategy, the new coverage allows Aflac to offer even more of the key benefits that businesses desire to remain competitive and help attract and retain top talent, the announcement noted.
By Staff
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 12:27 AM
NEW YORK—
MetLife (NYSE: MET) said this week that its previously announced acquisition of managed vision care company Versant Health has been completed.
By Staff
Monday, December 21, 2020 12:30 AM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—
VSP Global announced the launch of a new national marketing campaign that debuted Dec. 17. VSP said the campaign is part of its ongoing commitment to support and reinvest in private practice doctors participating in the Premier Program. The ad campaign is designed to encourage VSP members to choose a Premier Program practice for their annual comprehensive eye exam and other eyecare needs. The campaign is visible
here at the VSP Provider hub. Advertising will run nationally for two weeks across broadcast television, radio, streaming services, social media, and search.
By Staff
Friday, December 18, 2020 1:45 PM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., and DALLAS—With a focus on supporting independent optometry,
VSP Global and
Essilor announced they have reached an agreement "that further promotes choice for doctors and patients while bolstering a competitive marketplace for their collective stakeholders now and in the future." With this agreement in place, VSP Global will not proceed with changes to its formulary planned for Jan. 1, 2021. After extensive efforts from both companies in what has been a difficult year, the two organizations arrived at a solution that will allow each to further reinvest in programs and services that benefit doctors, patients, and ultimately the industry, the announcement said.
By Staff
Monday, September 28, 2020 12:18 AM
BALTIMORE— While many medical specialties have heavily relied upon telehealth as a means to observe, interact with and evaluate patients, “ocular telemedicine requires a slightly different approach when it comes to managing eye health,” according to a
new white paper issued by
Versant Health.
By Staff
Friday, September 25, 2020 12:36 AM
MINNETONKA, Minn.—
UnitedHealthcare has been awarded a seven-year contract to provide dental and vision benefits through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
By Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2020 12:24 AM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—
VSP Global announced today the promotion of Tiffanie Burkhalter as president of
VSP Ventures. In this role, Burkhalter will lead the company’s business unit designed to provide care-focused choices for doctors of optometry looking to transition their practices. Burkhalter succeeds Steve Baker, who is retiring after more than 20 years with VSP.
By Staff
Monday, August 31, 2020 12:21 AM
BALTIMORE—Managed vision care company Versant Health expects to launch the first of its on-site workplace optical clinics with partner Befitting in 2021, the company told VMAIL late last week.
By Staff
Thursday, August 27, 2020 12:30 AM
BALTIMORE—Managed vision care company
Versant Health announced Wednesday that it will collaborate with
Befitting an innovative eyewear provider, to bring vision care to workplaces through on-site optical clinics. The new business relationship provides Versant Health clients with convenient access to comprehensive in-network eyecare and an advanced eyewear shopping experience through fully equipped pop-up centers in their workplaces, according to the announcement.
By Staff
Friday, August 7, 2020 12:27 AM
ST. LOUIS—
The American Optometric Association (AOA) is hosting an #AskAOA webinar next week which will examine "Vision Plan Policies That Restrict, Undervalue Eye Health and Your Patient." The session will be held Aug. 13 at 9 p.m. ET. A spokesperson for the AOA told VMAIL at presstime that the organization is still working on the lineup of participants in the session, and said, "We will have AOA leadership and leaders from different states discussing their activities regarding vision plans, as well as legal counsel to address antitrust considerations."
By Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2020 12:24 AM
TUCKER, Ga.—The
National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) announced at that Dr. Daniel Levy, chief optometric officer of
Guardian/Avēsis was unanimously approved at the organization's recent virtual board meeting to serve as the secretary and treasurer, a seat vacated by VSP’s Kate Renwick-Espinosa who assumed the chair-elect position at the April 2020 board of directors meeting. “I have represented Avēsis and now Guardian as a board member at NAVCP for seven years,” said Dr. Levy. “We are aligned with the commitment that NAVCP brings in innovation, education, and administration, as well as providing analytical data that show the value of annual eyecare and eye wear for all consumers.”