When Do VSP Benefits Reset and How to Check Them
Navigate your VSP vision benefits. Discover when your benefits reset, what refreshes annually, and how to check your current status to plan effectively.
Vision Service Plan (VSP) benefits provide valuable coverage for eye care, helping individuals manage costs for eye exams and eyewear. A common question among members is when these benefits “reset” or become available again. Understanding this cycle is important for planning eye care appointments and making the most of available coverage.
Determining Your Benefit Reset Period
The timing of VSP benefit resets is not uniform across all plans. It primarily depends on the specific arrangement your employer or group has established with VSP. Many plans operate on a calendar year basis, meaning benefits refresh on January 1st each year.
Other plans may follow a “plan year,” where benefits reset on a specific date that marks the anniversary of the group’s contract with VSP. This date could fall on any month of the year, such as July 1st or October 1st. The precise reset date is determined by the terms of your employer’s or group’s contract with VSP.
Understanding What Benefits Refresh
When VSP benefits reset, it signifies the beginning of a new period to utilize allowances and services. This refresh typically applies to several categories of vision care. Eligibility for a comprehensive eye exam usually resets annually, allowing members to receive a new exam each benefit period.
A new frame allowance is also typically provided for eyeglass frames. This allowance can range, for example, from $150 to $230, depending on the plan. Standard lenses are generally covered, and eligibility for various lens options, such as anti-glare coatings, progressive lenses, or photochromic lenses, also refreshes. If chosen in lieu of glasses, a new allowance for contact lenses or contact lens services usually becomes available. Unused allowances or services generally do not carry over into the next benefit period.
Checking Your Current Benefit Status
To determine your VSP benefit reset date and remaining allowances, access your VSP member account online through vsp.com. After logging in, navigate to sections like “View Your Benefits” or “My Benefits” to find detailed plan information. This online portal provides insights into your benefit effective dates, a history of your past benefit usage, and current allowances for frames, lenses, and contact lenses.
If online access is challenging or you have specific questions, contact VSP Member Services directly at 1-800-877-7195. They can provide personalized information regarding your plan’s reset schedule and current benefit status. Your employer’s Human Resources department or benefits administrator also serves as a resource. They can offer details specific to your company’s VSP plan, including the exact benefit reset date and any unique plan provisions.