VSP agrees to new contracting transparency standards as AOA presses for industrywide change

In a first-of-its-kind move, VSP is reinforcing its commitment aimed at improving transparency in contracting with doctors of optometry—an outcome driven by the AOA’s continued advocacy and engagement on behalf of the profession.

AOA leaders recently reached an understanding with VSP leadership to address long-standing doctor frustrations with confusing or unclear plan contract updates. The new agreement establishes specific steps to make contracting changes easier to identify and understand, providing doctors with greater clarity and support in managing their relationships with plans.

“VSP’s contracting transparency commitment is a notable example of industry leadership and of the good faith needed to continue a frank, open and solutions-focused dialog,” says Steven T. Reed, O.D., AOA advocacy chair and immediate past president. “I see more progress on other tough issues as a possibility now because of the work of VSP Vision leadership and Board of Directors.”

“We’re proud to partner with AOA on a matter we know is important to the profession,” says Matt Wickham, O.D., VSP Vision board chair. “While VSP already meets many of the conditions of the contracting commitment, we are always looking for ways to further strengthen the process.”

The AOA’s multi-pronged advocacy approach—encompassing legislation, regulation, media and direct payer engagement—continues to deliver tangible results for doctors and patients alike. Recent AOA survey findings underscored the urgency for reform:

• 83% of doctors reported challenges deciphering plan contract changes
• 100% said they would benefit from clearer, highlighted updates
• 100% expressed the need for a direct contact to address questions about contracts and fee schedules

To address these concerns, VSP has committed to the AOA to take the following contract transparency actions:

• Clearer communication: Any proposed amendments will include a cover letter outlining changes and their implications, with edits marked for easy reference.
• Direct support: While doctors are already able to ask contract questions via the normal phone and email channels VSP offers today, the company will now publish instructions for question submission online.
• Dispute resolution: VSP will continue to make its dispute resolution process available online via its Provider Reference Manual.
• Fee schedule access and transparency: VSP will continue to make fee schedules available online and instruct doctors where to send questions.
• Timely credentialing: VSP affirmed their commitment to continue providing timely credentialing of doctors.

“Through a number of face-to-face, open discussions, we successfully collaborated on this contracting commitment,” says VSP Vision President and CEO Michael Guyette. “We look forward to finding additional areas of common ground with the AOA and supporting doctors in new ways together.”

AOA President Jacquie M. Bowen, O.D., notes that while this agreement with VSP marks important progress, it’s only the beginning.

“Doctors deserve clarity and fairness in their contracting relationships,” Dr. Bowen says. “We’ll continue pressing every plan to meet that standard.”

The AOA will remain steadfast in its doctor- and patient-driven advocacy for fair, transparent contracting and an end to any policy that would seek to devalue or diminish the essential and expanding role of optometry in delivering care. 

The AOA welcomes these initial steps as progress toward greater transparency but will continue to push for similar commitments across all plans. Notably, so far, EyeMed has declined to adopt comparable reforms. Recently, the AOA identified this refusal as a factor connected to the company being cited as a significant and growing barrier to the delivery of essential eye health and vision care services.