PEORIA, Ill.—Maui Jim the sunglass and eyewear supplier, announced "a significant step forward in its ongoing relationship with VSP Global" yesterday, reporting that Maui Jim will officially be available within the VSP formulary and will be included in the VSP contract lab network. With a VSP account, users will now have a more streamlined way of placing Maui Jim orders for patients utilizing their VSP benefit. Accessing patented Maui Jim lens technologies like PolarizedPlus2, and proprietary lens materials like MauiBrilliant and Maui High Blue Light Protect will be easier, Maui Jim's announcement said.

Maui Jim became a VSP Global Premier strategic partner in March of this year, as VMAIL reported. A VSP spokesperson told VMAIL yesterday, "As part of the partnership, we’re making it easier and quicker for VSP network providers (who are authorized Maui Jim retailers) to process Maui Jim claims for VSP members.Effective Aug. 14, Maui Jim claims can officially be submitted via Eyefinity.com (through the standard VSP claims process)." Additionally, he said, VSP network doctors who use any of Eyefinity practice management solutions (Eyefinity Practice Management, OfficeMate, or AcuityLogic) will also be able to submit Maui Jim orders and claims directly through those PMS.  Maui Jim’s laboratory is now a part of VSP’s contract lab network and the VSP formulary, which streamlines the claims process, as practices no longer have to send an order separately through Maui Jim’s system"

The VSP spokesperson added, "It's important to note that this is available to all VSP network providers who are authorized Maui Jim retailers. It's not just for practices that participate in the VSP Global Premier Program."

“As the fastest-growing premium eyewear brand in the world, we take great pride in crafting best-in-class solutions to support and enhance eye health,” said Jay Black, VP of global brand marketing at Maui Jim. “We are extremely excited to expand our partnership with VSP Global, as the strategic collaboration will allow us to have a greater presence in the optical space and make our prescription glasses more easily accessible to doctors and their patients.” 

“In partnership with Maui Jim, we’re thrilled to offer VSP network doctors a simplified process for ordering Maui Jim’s premium prescription eyewear,” said Michael Guyette, president and CEO of VSP Global. “Together, we’re focused on providing more choice for private practice doctors, and more benefits that support the growth and success of those participating in the Premier Program.”

For those practices who participate in the VSP Premier Program, Maui Jim includes a 60-day money back patient guarantee on purchases of Maui Jim Rx eyewear, frame board management resources and insights, merchandising point-of-purchase materials and a dedicated customer service number and resources, the VSP spokesperson said.