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Post by steelrain on Mar 17, 2021 9:50:54 GMT -5
I was not even aware of the Vision Program until it was announced that the Agency had canceled it. But now that it is back I am curious to know how it works. Has anyone utilized the benefit?
I now have to use progressive lenses in order to see my computer screen. I am over due for an eye exam.
Seems like I would qualify. Has anyone successfully navigated all the forms and steps???
Thanks!
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Post by steelrain on Mar 17, 2021 10:21:27 GMT -5
Hold up, when did VDT come back??? It was in the most recent Union email. |
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Post by christina on Mar 17, 2021 12:06:56 GMT -5
yes I've done all steps as they existed in the past. key step is to get sup approval before your eye appt. if you have vision insurance, your costs run through that first. Get an accurate and itemized statement from your eye provider of what you owe out of pocket after insurance coverage is deducted. you have to have a change in vision to qualify. I have progressive lenses too and have not had trouble getting them covered.
In short, follow all steps on the form precisely and you should not have too many issues getting it through the system.
Great news for me so thanks for info as I'm about to get some pricey contacts. hopefully, i can get them covered! i already had eye appt but I'll check in with sup to see what options are since I've had another vision change. sigh. i love working on a computer all day.
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Post by hamster on Mar 17, 2021 13:35:57 GMT -5
I did it a few years back. Just some paperwork. I saved about $200. It’s not hard—hope you see it through. See it. See what I did there?
Respectfully, H
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Post by tom b on Mar 17, 2021 13:38:50 GMT -5
I did it a few years back. Just some paperwork. I saved about $200. It’s not hard—hope you see it through. See it. See what I did there? Respectfully, H Si, si! I know, the lowest form of wit.
Respectfully, Tom B
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Post by christina on Mar 17, 2021 14:25:31 GMT -5
I did it a few years back. Just some paperwork. I saved about $200. It’s not hard—hope you see it through. See it. See what I did there? Respectfully, H   |
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Post by johnthornton on Mar 17, 2021 16:01:10 GMT -5
Article 23 states:
Section 8 - Vision Program
A. In accordance with Employer policy, Judges shall only be eligible for Video Display Terminal (VDT) - related eye exams and eyeglasses/contact lenses (including disposable lenses) based upon supervisory certification that the Judge uses a VDT in the course of his or her official duties.
B. If an eligible Judge obtains a prescription from a licensed optical practitioner (e.g., optometrist or ophthalmologist) indicating that the Judge needs special eyeglasses/contact lenses (including disposable lenses) in order to operate a VDT without eyestrain or because of other optical-related problems, the Employer shall reimburse the Judge for 100% of the eye examination in an amount not to exceed $65. In this process, the Judge will present the practitioner with a form, obtained from management, which will indicate that any prescription should only be for VDT use. The practitioner must certify on the form that the eyeglasses/contact lenses (including disposable lenses) are for VDT use. This form must be returned to management.
C. A Judge who has met the conditions listed in (A) and (B) above shall be entitled to a pair of eyeglasses/contact lenses (including disposable lenses) for VDT operation at Employer expense. The Employer will bear the cost up to $200. The Employer will either procure the eyeglasses/contact lenses (including disposable lenses) of the Judge’s choice, or will reimburse the Judge upon the presentation of proper documentation. The option will be left to the Employer.
D. Judges shall be entitled to a reasonable amount of excused absence to obtain eyeglasses/contact lenses (including disposable lenses), and VDT eyeglasses/contact lenses examination and fitting, provided that the Judge in fact has an authorized VDT eyeglasses/contact lenses (including disposable lenses) prescription. Normally this will not exceed 2 hours total time for all matters.
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Post by johnthornton on Mar 17, 2021 16:03:22 GMT -5
How many judges can truthfully certify that they only wear their glasses for VDT use?
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Post by christina on Mar 17, 2021 17:35:11 GMT -5
Only for vdt use? Is that new?
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Post by johnthornton on Mar 17, 2021 18:23:27 GMT -5
I don't think so. This was the language in the Union contract forwarded by the AALJ. It would probably never be an issue--unless the agency wanted to make it one.
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Post by pumpkin on Mar 17, 2021 20:02:45 GMT -5
How many judges can truthfully certify that they only wear their glasses for VDT use? Yep. My distance vision is still sufficient to pass the DMV test. Not quite old enough (yet) to use the readers. But darn it if the print on the computer monitors didn’t become squiggly about a year ago. I have computer monitor only glasses, that I keep on the desk next to my workstation. And on St. Patrick’s Day, I must say that your screen name brings to mind Tiger Thornton from The Quiet Man. John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Victor McLaughlin...what’s not to love? ☘️ |
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Post by hamster on Mar 17, 2021 21:07:27 GMT -5
I did it a few years back. Just some paperwork. I saved about $200. It’s not hard—hope you see it through. See it. See what I did there? Respectfully, H Si, si! I know, the lowest form of wit.
Respectfully, Tom B
I salute my Sea Service colleague! For his comedic vision. Aim High, Hamster |
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Post by ba on Mar 19, 2021 19:29:14 GMT -5
How many judges can truthfully certify that they only wear their glasses for VDT use? Yep. My distance vision is still sufficient to pass the DMV test. Not quite old enough (yet) to use the readers. But darn it if the print on the computer monitors didn’t become squiggly about a year ago. I have computer monitor only glasses, that I keep on the desk next to my workstation. And on St. Patrick’s Day, I must say that your screen name brings to mind Tiger Thornton from The Quiet Man. John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Victor McLaughlin...what’s not to love? ☘️ I guess those with myopia get screwed. |
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Post by johnthornton on Mar 20, 2021 7:12:39 GMT -5
How many judges can truthfully certify that they only wear their glasses for VDT use? Yep. My distance vision is still sufficient to pass the DMV test. Not quite old enough (yet) to use the readers. But darn it if the print on the computer monitors didn’t become squiggly about a year ago. I have computer monitor only glasses, that I keep on the desk next to my workstation. And on St. Patrick’s Day, I must say that your screen name brings to mind Tiger Thornton from The Quiet Man. John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Victor McLaughlin...what’s not to love? ☘️ You are the exact person the glasses benefit is designed for! Someone who only needs the glasses to use the VDT monitor. My screen name is from The Call of the Wild! Note the mining gear and sled dog. LOL. |
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Post by pumpkin on Mar 20, 2021 19:25:09 GMT -5
Yep. My distance vision is still sufficient to pass the DMV test. Not quite old enough (yet) to use the readers. But darn it if the print on the computer monitors didn’t become squiggly about a year ago. I have computer monitor only glasses, that I keep on the desk next to my workstation. And on St. Patrick’s Day, I must say that your screen name brings to mind Tiger Thornton from The Quiet Man. John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Victor McLaughlin...what’s not to love? ☘️ I guess those with myopia get screwed. Some impairments more than minimally affect your ability to engage in work-related activities, and some don’t. Sorry, Charlie. 🤓 |
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Post by jagvet on Mar 20, 2021 23:07:29 GMT -5
Does anyone out there agree with me that this is just a taxpayer ripoff? I mean, what person does not eventually need glasses? Why is this peculiar to judges? Do their eyes wear out faster than other people? Are the laws of biology not in effect in judges' hearings? Were these magic grits?
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Post by redsox1 on Mar 21, 2021 14:08:08 GMT -5
Does anyone out there agree with me that this is just a taxpayer ripoff? I mean, what person does not eventually need glasses? Why is this peculiar to judges? Do their eyes wear out faster than other people? Are the laws of biology not in effect in judges' hearings? Were these magic grits? I don’t think it’s peculiar to ALJ’s. I think anyone starring at a screen all day would experience this. I guess the AALJ, way back, made it a priority to look after the membership. Question to me is not why we have it but why don’t other similarly situated employees have it? |
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Post by hopefalj on Mar 21, 2021 16:55:54 GMT -5
Does anyone out there agree with me that this is just a taxpayer ripoff? I mean, what person does not eventually need glasses? Why is this peculiar to judges? Do their eyes wear out faster than other people? Are the laws of biology not in effect in judges' hearings? Were these magic grits? I don’t think it’s peculiar to ALJ’s. I think anyone starring at a screen all day would experience this. I guess the AALJ, way back, made it a priority to look after the membership. Question to me is not why we have it but why don’t other similarly situated employees have it? I used it as an attorney advisor. Pretty sure it is available to all SSA employees (form SSA-4067), though perhaps AFGE and NTEU were smart enough to use language that tracks the form and not create a potential issue with a narrow construction of the plain language. Nothing on the form indicates the lenses must be solely used for a VDT, just that such lenses are necessary for viewing a VDT without sustaining eye strain or because of other ambiguous eye problems with using a VDT. I believe most lenses these days come with some amount of blue light filter, so essentially every new/changed prescription should satisfy the requirements. |
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Post by redsox1 on Mar 21, 2021 17:09:38 GMT -5
I don’t think it’s peculiar to ALJ’s. I think anyone starring at a screen all day would experience this. I guess the AALJ, way back, made it a priority to look after the membership. Question to me is not why we have it but why don’t other similarly situated employees have it? I used it as an attorney advisor. Pretty sure it is available to all SSA employees (form SSA-4067), though perhaps AFGE and NTEU were smart enough to use language that tracks the form and not create a potential issue with a narrow construction of the plain language. Nothing on the form indicates the lenses must be solely used for a VDT, just that such lenses are necessary for viewing a VDT without sustaining eye strain or because of other ambiguous eye problems with using a VDT. I believe most lenses these days come with some amount of blue light filter, so essentially every new/changed prescription should satisfy the requirements. Thanks for the clarification. I guess the point I was trying to make is with literally trillions being spent, subsidized glasses for employees whose eye sight is impacted by their work does not outrage me. |
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Post by jagvet on Mar 21, 2021 17:25:56 GMT -5
In the scheme of things, it's not a lot of money, but there is absolutely no justification. Everybody today stares at computer screens and phone screens all day, in every job. Even the guy who rear-ended me a few months ago (he was staring at his phone). If they had a robe allowance, I could see some connection. It's just a gimme. A rip-off. Every other self-respecting federal employee buys his or her own glasses.
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