Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands has chosen The Standard to provide Group Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Vision insurance to eligible employees, dependents and retirees.
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Life and AD&D Insurance | Vision Insurance | Enrollment | Contact Information
Life and AD&D Insurance
Group Life and AD&D insurance can help protect your family’s finances if death or a serious accident keeps you from providing for them.
Basic Life and AD&D insurance is paid for by your employer. You’re covered if you take no action, provided you meet the eligibility requirements. Coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month that follows or coincides with the date you become a member.
You also have the opportunity to apply for Additional Life and AD&D insurance, which can further protect your loved ones in the event of your passing. Since everyone's needs are different, you can select an amount of protection you feel will best meet the needs of your loved ones. Use the needs estimator to determine the amount of coverage you should apply for.
Please review the coverage highlights for costs, exclusions, limitations and reductions before enrolling.
Learn how Additional Life and AD&D insurance can help you further protect your loved ones. Watch this short video.
Basic Life insurance is paid for by your employer. You’re covered if you take no action, provided you meet the eligibility requirements. Coverage becomes effective on the date you become a member.
You also have the opportunity to apply for Additional Life insurance, which can further protect your loved ones in the event of your passing. Since everyone's needs are different, you can select an amount of protection you feel will best meet the needs of your loved ones. Use the needs estimator to determine the amount of coverage you should apply for.
Please review the coverage highlights for costs, exclusions, limitations and reductions before enrolling.
Learn how Additional Life insurance can help you further protect your loved ones. Watch this short video.
Designed to respond to most medical care situations and many other emergencies you and your family experience when you travel more than 100 miles from your home or internationally for up to 180 days for business or pleasure. Travel Assistance provides a wide-ranging program of information, referral, coordination and assistance services. These services include pre-trip assistance, medical assistance, emergency transportation, travel and technical assistance, legal services and medical supplies. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year whether you are 100 or 10,000 miles from home.
View the following materials to learn how to access these services.
You and your beneficiaries have access to address important life matters via The Standard's Life Services Toolkit. The Standard has partnered with Health Advocate to offer a lineup of additional services that can make a difference now and in the future.
As a participant, you will have access to services to help you now:
- Estate Planning Assistance: Online tools walk you through the steps to prepare a will and create other documents, such as living wills, powers of attorney and advance directives.
- Financial Planning: Consult online services to help you manage debt, calculate mortgage and loan payments and take care of other financial matters with confidence.
- Health and Wellness: Timely articles about nutrition, stress management and wellness help you and your loved ones lead healthy lives.
- Identity Theft Prevention: Check the website for ways to thwart identity thieves and resolve issues if identity theft occurs.
- Funeral Arrangements: Use the website for guidance on how to begin, to educate yourself on funeral costs, find funeral-related services and make decisions about funeral arrangements in advance.
View the following materials to learn how to access these services.
Your beneficiaries will have access to supportive services that will help them cope after a loss:
- Grief Support: Counselors are on call to provide confidential grief sessions by phone or refer you to a counselor in your area. Beneficiaries are eligible for up to six face-to-face sessions.
- Legal Services: Beneficiaries can obtain legal assistance from experienced attorneys. They can schedule an initial 30-minute office visit or telephone consultation with a network attorney. Beneficiaries who wish to retain a participating attorney after the initial consultation receive a 25% rate reduction from the attorney's normal hourly or fixed fee rates.
- Financial Assistance: Beneficiaries have access to financial counselors who can help with budgeting and credit and debt management via telephone sessions.
- Support Services: Work-life advisors can guide beneficiaries to resources to help manage household repairs and chores, find child care and elder care providers or organize a move or relocation.
- Online Resources: Beneficiaries can easily access additional services and features on the Life Services Toolkit website, including online resources about funeral costs, find funeral-related services and make decisions about funeral arrangements.
Beneficiaries can view the Life Services Toolkit flyer for beneficiaries to learn how to access these services.
Certificates
Evidence of Insurability
Beneficiary Designation
Claim Forms
Continued Benefits
Flyers
Vision Insurance
Group Vision insurance helps you keep your eyes healthy and your costs low. Nationwide networks give you options to choose a provider near you for regular exams and prescription glasses or contacts.
As an employee or retiree of Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you have the opportunity to enroll in the Balanced Care VisionSM Plan II. This plan provides discounts through EyeMed'sSM national network of vision-care providers. The EyeMed Vision Care Access network includes some of the largest optical retailers in the United States, including LensCrafters®, Sears Optical®, Target Optical®, JCPenney Optical and most Pearle VisionSM locations. The eye care highlight sheet provides a summary of the plan benefits and cost. Before you enroll, please refer to the certificate of insurance for the plan exclusions and limitations.
Learn how vision care can help you protect and prioritize your eye health. Watch this short video.
If you have questions about how to enroll, please contact your human resources manager. This site provides ID cards, access to the certificate of insurance and answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions. If you have questions about the plan, please refer to the Contact Information section for assistance.
Virgin Islands
| St. Croix | |
|---|---|
| Sterling Optical 340.718.8880 | 3000 Golden Rock Shopping Center, Suite 14 Christiansted, VI 00820 |
| St. Croix Vision Center 340.773.2020 | 4500 Sion Farm, Suite 2, Island Medical Center Christiansted, VI 00820 |
| St. Thomas | |
|---|---|
| St. Thomas Eye Inc. 340.774.2020 | 4605 Tutu Park Mall, Suite 225 St. Thomas, VI 00802 |
| St. Thomas Eye Inc. 340.776.2020 | 8000 Nisky Center, Suite 19 St. Thomas, VI 00803 |
| Sterling Optical, Lockhart Mall 340.774.8500 | 9000 Lockhart Gardens, #3 Estate Thomas St. Thomas, VI 00801 |
Stateside
Search for provider locations on EyeMed's website . Select the Access Network.
Your member eye care coverage ID cards are available below. Please print a copy for yourself and your dependents. Cut out the card, fill in the name and carry them with you. When you go to your eye care provider for an appointment, please present your ID card which will easily identify you as an EyeMed member.
For a complete description of your coverage, please review the eye care highlight sheet and the certificate of insurance. If you have questions, you may also call the EyeMed Customer Care Center at 866.289.0614.
Virgin Islands
Stateside
Frequently Asked Questions
We have compiled the most commonly asked questions about vision coverage through EyeMed. For more information, visit EyeMed's website or contact EyeMed's Customer Care Center at 866.289.0614.
General Questions
Why do I need a regular eye examination?
Regular eye exams are crucial to your vision and overall health. Eye examinations can lead to the early detection of several vision and health-related conditions, including glaucoma, diabetes, cataracts and hypertension. Because early detection is key for treatment, regular eye examinations play a vital role in ensuring a healthy life.
Eye exams are important to all ages. The American Optometric Association recommends eye exams begin as early as six months of age and continue regularly throughout a person's life. Undiagnosed vision problems can interfere with learning in school age children and can lead to irreversible vision loss, significantly impacting everyday activities at any age.
Will I save more with this vision care benefit or with an eyewear coupon or other promotional offer?
Take a moment to review your plan coverage. In almost every instance, you will find that your vision care plan delivers greater savings and lower out-of-pocket costs at more provider locations than a coupon or special offer. You can also use your benefit when it is convenient for you without having to worry about coupon expiration dates or limited time offers. Please note, your benefit cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotional offers. You are responsible for co-pays, any remaining out-of-pocket expenses and applicable sales tax.
Who is a member (or subscriber)?
The member (or subscriber) is the individual who is enrolled in the program through their employer. Dependents include the subscriber's spouse or children, also referred to as members.
How do I contact EyeMed's Customer Care Center?
To contact EyeMed's Customer Care Center, call 866.289.0614 to speak to a representative or to access information through their automated voice response system. EyeMed offers the best customer service hours in the industry with live representatives available Monday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Eastern) and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern).
Network Provider Questions
How do I locate a provider on the EyeMed network?
To locate a provider, refer to the Virgin Islands Plan Providers on this site, locate your ID card and select the eye doctor locator from EyeMed's website (select Access Network) or call EyeMed's Customer Care Center.
Does the EyeMed network offer both independent and optical retailers?
Yes. The EyeMed network is comprised of both independent and optical retail locations. Members have access to thousands of private practitioners and the nation's leading optical retailers, such as LensCrafters®, Target Optical®, JCPenney Optical®, Sears Optical® and most Pearle Vision® locations.
How do I nominate a vision care provider to be added to the EyeMed network?
To nominate a provider, complete a Provider Nomination Form available through EyeMed's Customer Care Center. The provider must accept and agree to the Terms and Conditions of our Professional Provider Agreement and complete the credentialing process to ensure they meet EyeMed's quality standards.
Laser Vision Questions
Do you offer a discount on laser vision correction?
Yes. EyeMed offers members 5% off any promotional price or 15% off the retail price for treatments performed through the U.S. Laser Network which is owned and administered by LCA-Vision.
How do I access the laser vision discount?
To access the laser vision discount:
- Call the U.S. Laser Network at 877.5LASER6 to find the laser correction provider most convenient for you.
- Schedule a consultation with the provider. When making the appointment, tell the office that you are an EyeMed member. During your consultation, you and your provider will determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure.
- If you choose to proceed with the treatment, call the U.S. Laser Network to request an authorization for your discount. A refundable deposit will also be requested at this time. The authorization will be sent to you and the laser provider.
- Schedule your procedure. After your appointment, be sure to follow all post-operative instructions carefully.
Glossary of Terms
We have compiled a glossary of the most common terms for vision coverage through EyeMed. For more information, visit EyeMed's website or contact EyeMed's Customer Care Center.
Types of Lenses
Single vision lenses are prescribed for those who only need correction for one field of vision: either far away or up close.
Bifocal lenses are prescribed for those who need correction for both far away and up close.
Trifocal lenses are prescribed for those who need correction for three fields of vision: far away, up close and intermediate.
Lenticular is an antiquated technology used in situations requiring such high plus power that a full field meniscus lens would be impractical (because of thickness, weight and fit). This area of power is usually located in the center of the lens and takes on the appearance of a "bubble."
Progressive means multifocal lenses with no lines.
Standard progressive lenses are multifocal designs that produce a gradual change in focus without lines or junctions. These lenses are high quality designs that individuals use, but may not be each manufacturer's most current models. The determination of "Standard Progressive" designation takes into consideration the date the design was introduced to the market, the technology/design features, advantages and benefits and the wholesale list price from the manufacturer's laboratory.
Premium progressive lenses are multifocal designs that are the latest technology that produce a gradual change in focus without lines or junctions. These designs are the lens manufacturer's highest technology models and produce the optimal ease of adaptation, comfort and widest zones for reading and intermediate vision. The determination of "Premium Progressive" designation takes into consideration the date the design was introduced to the market, the technology/design features, advantages and benefits and the wholesale list price from the manufacturer's laboratory.
Lens Options
Standard polycarbonate is a commonly used lighter, thinner lens material that helps create a more impact-resistant lens.
Tint (solid and gradient) is a common lens add on that reduces the light that enters the eyes and can be doctor recommended or added for fashion purposes.
Scratch-Resistant coating is a common lens coating that helps reduce scratches on the lenses.
Anti-Reflective coating is a common lens coating that allows for more light to pass through the lens, cutting down on glare and distracting reflections. This coating is good for night driving and is also cosmetically appealing because it allows others to see your eyes rather than the light reflection off the lenses.
Ultraviolet coating is a common eyeglass lens coating that protects eyes from harmful ultraviolet light.
LASIK or PRK or commonly referred to as laser eye surgery, is a type of refractive surgery for correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. LASIK is performed by ophthalmologists using a laser. LASIK is similar to other surgical corrective procedures such as photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, (also called ASA or Advanced Surface Ablation) though it provides benefits such as faster patient recovery. Both LASIK and PRK represent advances over radial keratotomy in the surgical treatment of vision problems, and are thus viable alternatives to wearing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses for many patients.
Enrollment
New Hires: If you were recently hired, you may enroll within 31 days of your date of hire.
All Other Employees: You may enroll during your annual enrollment period.