Optical Extended Benefits

Please find information relating to the Optical Extended Benefits for Cataract, Glaucoma and Diabetes patients below. If you have any questions, please contact the SBF Office at (716) 881-5462.

 

CATARACTS
A physician must verify cataract conditions by submitting a letter, on physician's stationary and signed by the physician, to the SBF Office.
 

PRE‐SURGICAL Cataract Patients

Teachers and their dependents that have been diagnosed as having cataracts, but have not yet had surgery, are eligible for:

- One (1) eye exam every calendar year

 

POST‐SURGICAL Cataract Patients

Teachers and their dependents that have been diagnosed as having cataracts and have had surgery to correct them will begin, from the date the surgery takes place, a new two year reimbursement period, regardless of past optical benefit use.

 

After the date of surgery has been verified, teachers and their dependents will be eligible for:

- Four (4) pairs of contacts at the SBF 1st service reimbursement rate (currently $90)
- Four (4) pairs of lenses based on the SBF 1st service reimbursement schedule;
- Two (2) pairs of frames based on the SBF 1st service reimbursement schedule (currently $50).
- One (1) eye examination per year within the new two-year period (currently $45).


At the conclusion of the two-year period, normal benefits would resume.

 

GLAUCOMA
A physician must verify the patient has glaucoma by submitting a letter, on the physician's stationary and signed by the physician, to the SBF Office.
 

After the condition has been verified, teachers and their dependents will be eligible every calendar year for:

- Two (2) Glaucoma pressure tests*
- One (1) Visual field test*


Glaucoma sufferers will also be eligible for their normal eye exam once every two (2) years.

 

* SBF will reimburse each test at the SBF 1st service rate of an Eye Exam (currently $45)

 

DIABETES 
A physician must verify the patient has diabetes by submitting a letter, on the physician's stationary and signed by the physician, to the SBF Office.
 

After the condition has been verified, teachers and their dependents will be eligible every calendar year for:

- One (1) eye examination every calendar year

 

 

Updated 6/27/18