• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Vision Insurance - Worth It?

Status
Not open for further replies.
edro

edro

Lifer
Our vision insurance is $71.76/year.

I have never had glasses or contacts, but think I may want some this year.

What does it cost for an average eye exam?
Be prescribed glasses contacts?
Does having coverage give discounts on glasses or contacts?

It just seems that an eye evaluation would be ~$100, so it doesn't seem worth it if you are already prescribed with glasses or contacts and just need refills.
 
Depends entirely on the plan as to what benefits you get. My plan gives me one pair of glasses/contacts free per year and covers exams 100%, for example. I think an eye exam was typically about $90 out-of-pocket and glasses are all over the place, depending on where you get them. A cheap pair would be in the $100-$200 range, I think.
 
It's worth it if you have glasses, check out discounts on lasik as well, can be very significant. Really it all depends on the plan as to if it's worth it and what your needs are.
 
Another option OP is that if you only go to the eye doctor every 2 or 3 years, only carry the insurance in the years you know you'll be making an appointment. I'm assuming, of course, that you are getting it through work and can drop and pick it back up in annual enrollment.
 
My prescription for glasses hasn't changed in the last 20 years, and I only get an eye exam on ~3 year intervals. After one of my intervals, a doctor in California asked me how I had kept myself with contact lenses for the past few years. I told him I order the contacts over the Internet. He was like, "you know that's not legal, right?" I couldn't believe that these words were coming from his mouth. Illegal to order contacts over the Internet without a prescription??

Anyway, I went with vision insurance one year through my workplace (~$75 annual) and still ended up paying $200+ for my contact lenses through the doctor's office. Vision insurance isn't worth it for me. Your coverage may differ.

Also, I'm overseas a lot. When I want new glasses, I buy them in Taiwan where the exam is included with the purchase of the glasses. I often end up buying higher priced frames with scratch coat and all that jazz... and it still costs me less than a year of vision insurance.
 
Exams 100% after $10 copay
Lenses 100% after $10 copay
Frames $110 allowance, then 20%
Contacts $115 allowance
Lasik 15% discount

I guess if I get glasses or contacts this year, it would be worth it.
 
For normal-visioned (20/20) people with no vision issues, I think you can safely go 3 years betwixt appointments. BUt when that 3 years is up - you should get the full battery of tests. That exam is like $150 out of pocket.

My vision covers 100% exam and lenses with a $15 copay, very similar to edro, but I get $125 allowance, then 20%. Contacts is a $115 allowance too, which handily covers the cost of my torics for 6 months. The next set I get from the internet for about $55. The "cost" of the same lenses in the doctors office is $105 or so, so i get 6 mo free, pay for 6 mo.

I've paid for a contact exam out of pocket before. it was $299. Regular eye exams are roughly $100, in-optometrist office frames run the gamut from $50 up past $299, and single vision lens are about $50-$75ish.

So if you need a pair your out of pocket ought to be $100 exam + roughly $100 frames, + $75 lenses = ~$275 (expensive side). With insurance, you ought to pay maybe $50. So your $77/yr pays for about $200 worth of glasses. Its worth it if you actually rely on glasses.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top