New York State Contract Reporter #OCA-DGCP-035

NY Unified Court System Seeks Insurer for Group Vision Benefits Plan

The New York State Unified Court System (UCS), Office of Court Administration, is seeking bids from qualified insurers to provide a fully insured UCS Group Vision Benefits Plan for judges, justices, management confidential and other unrepresented employees, retirees, and their dependents across New York State. - Government Buyer: - New York State Unified Court System (UCS), Office of Court Administration, Division of Grants, Contracts and Procurement - Judiciary Benefits Office - Products/Services Requested: - Fully insured group vision benefits plan - Comprehensive eye exams (in-network and out-of-network) - Eyeglass frames (basic and premium), lenses (single vision, bifocal, progressive, etc.), and lens enhancements (e.g., scratch-resistant, photochromic, blue light filtering, anti-reflective coatings) - Contact lenses (medically necessary, new and existing wearers) - Laser vision correction allowance (up to $999 per member per year) - No annual deductible; out-of-network reimbursement up to $999 per member per year - US-based claims processing (7-14 day turnaround) and customer service (toll-free, multilingual, hearing-impaired support) - Dedicated account team - Timely notification of rate increases and eyewear shipment - Quantities: - Estimated 4,681 enrollees (members) - Coverage for employees, retirees, and dependents - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Insurer must assume all financial risk and pay covered claims for a fixed monthly premium - Minimum qualifications: at least 3 years of vision insurance experience, coverage of at least 500,000 lives (with one client of 100,000 lives), and proper licensing in New York - Unified single-tier plan for all covered members - Annual open enrollment and choice between eyeglasses or contact lenses - Excludes non-prescription sunglasses, repairs, and services covered by other laws - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the solicitation; the opportunity is open to qualified insurers - Past contracts have been held with Emblem Health - Place of Performance/Delivery: - New York State Unified Court System Office of Court Administration, 2500 Pond View, Suite 104, Castleton-on-Hudson, NY 12033 - Judiciary Benefits Office, 500 Patroon Creek Blvd., Albany, NY 12206

Description

The New York State Unified Court System (UCS), Office of Court Administration (OCA), on behalf of the Judiciary Benefits Office (JBO), is soliciting sealed bids for an insurer to provide the UCS Group Vision Benefits Plan. The insurer will offer vision benefits to judges, justices, management confidential and other unrepresented employees, retirees, and their dependents. The insurer must provide a fully insured product, assume financial risk, and pay all covered claims for a fixed monthly premium. The contract term is from March 1, 2027, to June 30, 2030, with two optional one-year renewals. The award will be a single contract to the responsible bidder with the highest combined technical and cost score.