Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut Introduces Blue View Vision(SM)

NORTH HAVEN, Conn., March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is now offering Blue View Vision, an affordable and flexible vision plan that provides access to more than 700 network providers in Connecticut, and more than 50,000 providers and provider locations nationwide. The Blue View Vision network includes ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. In addition to private practitioners, Blue View Vision provides network access to retailers with locations throughout the country, including LensCrafters^®, Target^® Optical, JC Penney^® Optical, Sears^® Optical and Pearle Vision^®. 

"When employees get the vision care they need, productivity increases. And when vision care is covered by the Blue View Vision plan, employees can receive quality care quickly and conveniently," said David R. Fusco, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Blue View Vision members are entitled to a number of important benefits and discounts on products and services, including comprehensive eye examinations and coverage for lenses and frames or contact lenses. Members also enjoy additional savings of up to 40 percent on the purchase of extra pairs of eyewear, conventional contact lenses, lens treatments, specialized lenses and other non-covered items, even after they've exhausted their covered benefits.

With many provider locations open evenings and weekends, members have greater flexibility and convenience when scheduling appointments. And since so many people buy glasses on evenings and weekends, Blue View Vision customer service is available seven days a week to answer customer questions.

As the workforce ages, Blue View Vision coverage can also help maintain employee productivity. The National Eye Institute estimates that millions of Americans age 40 and older experience blindness, low vision or an age-related eye disease, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts or diabetic retinopathy.

"An eye exam is one of the best forms of preventive medicine today," said Jeff Spahr, staff vice president, Anthem Vision and Voluntary Services. "Therefore, we think it is important to offer an integrated health benefits plan that includes medical and vision coverage to consumers with important preventative services that focus on overall well-being and good health. For example, when our members are covered by our health, Blue View Vision and 360 Degree Health ConditionCare Diabetes program, they may be enrolled in the Diabetic Program so we can help them proactively manage their condition if their vision claim includes a diabetic-related diagnosis. Integrating medical and vision services not only helps employers and their employees reduce health care costs and save money, it also can lead to the prevention or early management of costly medical conditions."

With Blue View Vision now available in Connecticut, Anthem offers employers a single source for a comprehensive, competitive total insurance package that can help them to recruit, engage and retain employees.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ^® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.  

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut