Page 18 - Work Force September 2020

What you
need to know
before a vision
appointment
As New York reopens, you may feel more comfortable making
an appointment at one of the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund’s (EBF) vision providers for a routine eye exam and replacement of eyewear or contact lenses.
Many of our participating providers, including Visionworks stores nationwide, have made changes based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect patients and staff. Here is what you need to know.
Appointments are essential as walk-ins are discouraged at most providers. Before scheduling an appointment, know
that many providers
have limited hours
of operation and
some offices may still
be closed. If your
provider’s office is
open and accepting
patients for routine exams, it is best to make an appointment online if possible. Offices are operating with reduced staff, which may contribute to a longer wait time on the phone and in the store. Please be patient as the staff tries to assist you. Be sure to have your EBF ID number and plan summary handy. This information is easily accessible on our Member Portal at cseaebf.com.
You may be asked to wear a face covering when entering the provider office, while waiting and during your examination. Your vision provider may ask you to complete a brief health assessment upon your arrival, which may include a temperature check and paperwork.
Providers are encouraging social distancing practices such as limiting the number of patients in a waiting
room, spacing out chairs or asking patients to wait in their vehicle until the staff is ready to see you. Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the office for use, and items such as clipboards, pens, and furniture will be cleaned regularly. Staff will also be taking extra steps to ensure the equipment used during your exam is properly sanitized. The staff at your provider office may
also be wearing additional personal protective equipment (PPE) that might include N95 surgical masks, full face shields and gloves.
Some companies are advertising telemedicine or online exams. While the EBF might be able to offer limited reimbursement for these services
by submitting an out- of-network indemnity claim, these companies are not participating providers. Similarly, businesses that sell glasses and contact lenses though a website
may not participate with the EBF. Using an out-of-network provider will result in out-of-pocket costs for the member.
Participating vision providers accept EBF payments as full payment for covered services and all plan materials. Substantial out-of-pocket costs can be avoided by selecting a provider in your area at the time of your eligible service. A full list of the EBF’s participating vision providers can be viewed online at cseaebf.com.
A small number of participating providers are offering the option of virtual eye exams. These exams will be administered at a participating provider’s office where appropriate examination equipment is used. At an EBF participating provider, this would qualify as a covered routine exam.
CSEA Members: Get ahead with Skills for Success webinars
CSEA members employed by New York state, local government agencies and the private sector are
eligible to take Skills for Success webinars offered this fall by the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training.
Live, instructor-led webinars provide CSEA-represented employees with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to meet their personal and professional development goals. In-person training
will not be available this semester due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent restrictions on public gatherings.
Webinars allow
employees
to take part in training by using
a computer or mobile device and an Internet connection. Webinars must be taken in a remote setting to allow for social distancing.
Twenty-five webinars are scheduled from September through December 2020 under
the computer skills, individual development, interpersonal communication, work management, and writing skills categories. Webinars are available at no cost to employees or agencies.
For more information
A web catalog of the Skills for Success webinars is available on the Partnership’s website at www.nyscseapartnership.org. The catalog contains webinar
descriptions, dates,
start and end times, and an application form that can be downloaded and printed. Employees may also register for webinars through the
Statewide Learning Management System (SLMS)
For more information about Skills for Success webinars,
call 518-486-7814 or, for areas outside the Capital Region,
call 1-800-253-4332, or email at learning@nyscseapartnership.org.
18 The Work Force
September 2020