Eye or vision insurance

[Rhody]

Hello all. I’ve been looking into vision insurance on the private market. There are several out there on the inter webs. I’ve searched around and read sone fine print. Many plans depend on local participation from eye or frame shops. Many have no waiting period so conceivably I could pay one month premium get sone new lenses and cancel. I’ve not seen a thread discussing this topic so
I’m wondering if any B&B community members have any experience here. Any input is appreciated.

 

[Kentos]

Is it purely for glasses? Or does it cover visits to an ophthalmologist for other eye related issues? I have vision through my work and it covers either contacts or glasses, but not both. It also covers other eye related stuff as well.

I don’t have experience buying privately, but Costco prices are quite reasonable even without insurance, so maybe do some comparisons. If it covers everything eye related I thinks it is worth it if you can afford it, not only for the glasses/contacts.

Just my observations through personal experience.

 

[Rhody]

Is it purely for glasses? Or does it cover visits to an ophthalmologist for other eye related issues? I have vision through my work and it covers either contacts or glasses, but not both. It also covers other eye related stuff as well.

I don’t have experience buying privately, but Costco prices are quite reasonable even without insurance, so maybe do some comparisons. If it covers everything eye related I thinks it is worth it if you can afford it, not only for the glasses/contacts.

Just my observations through personal experience.

I would use it only for frames and lenses. I bought sine sunglasses I’ve always wanted and to convert them to prescription was ridiculous so I started looking at these plans. Sone plans are pretty reasonable on a monthly basis. I have a feeling there’s a catch. Usually there always is lol. But from what I’m reading it’s month to month, no waiting period.

 

[DesertIguana]

Honestly if you shop around, are not super fussy about Frame, many of the discount place do sales often.

Insurance is like many things, Cheap you don't get much, Pricy you get better stuff.

 

[Rhody]

Honestly if you shop around, are not super fussy about Frame, many of the discount place do sales often.

Insurance is like many things, Cheap you don't get much, Pricy you get better stuff.

I’ve read the available fine print. It’s a monthly premium. Not a yearly contract. And no waiting period. lol. If true I might do it and then cancel. Too good to be true?

 

[ColtRevolver]

If new frames and lenses are the goal, I would look into buying online. Last year, I bought new frames at a flea market for $1.00. Yep, brand new. Anyway, I had lenses put in via online/mail. I got thin polycarbonate lenses with a tint coating for about $115.00

 

[Fordfather]

I’ve read the available fine print. It’s a monthly premium. Not a yearly contract. And no waiting period. lol. If true I might do it and then cancel. Too good to be true?

Do they mention what they cover? Even with a yearly plan, it's a small percentage of the total cost.

 

[njpaddy]

Thanks for starting this thread. My computer glasses are fine, but I really need stronger glasses for reading books. I have exams covered by my work retirement insurance, but it doesn't cover glasses. If there's an eye doctor you prefer to use, you might ask them what insurance they accept and what's covered. I've had exams and glasses at Costco in the past, and they were fine. Most eye doctors I've been to in the past 30 years have pushed bi-focals. I've tried them with and without a line and could not adjust to them. Doctors give me a script for bi-focals, and I just get the reading portion filled. If it comes to the point where I feel I need distance, I'll have to get 2 pair.

 

[Kentos]

I think if it’s only for corrective lenses I would just buy it outright. Something doesn’t make sense that your could buy one month, buy glasses, then cancel.
It also doesn’t make sense to offer insurance at a yearly cost less than a pair of glasses since most buy a new pair yearly, and it would be a money losing proposition on the insurance side.

Must be buried somewhere in the fine print

 

[helicopter]

I get the exam at samsclub and get the glasses on aliexpress.

Most places just order your lenses straight from China anyway.

I usually get a few pairs, like a sporty pair, a dressy pair, and sunglasses.

This is way cheaper than insurance where I am

 

[StillShaving]

I have no experience with the pros/cons of vision insurance, but IMO if you are mainly primarily considering that to get pair(s) of glasses I would skip it. And go to your local discount store, Costco, or buy online from one of the handful of websites known for that. I got my first pair of glasses a few years ago...or maybe it has been longer and I should get a checkup. I bought a pair of progressives from my eye doctor's in-house Optician and they were of good quality but expensive.

Afterwards I bought a number of more basic pairs online from Zenni for much less than that original pair. I got separate single vision pairs for reading, computer, and distance. Then prescription sunglasses and bifocals. Trying different combinations searching for something comfortable to wear that worked the best. I still don't like the distortion caused by progressive lenses, but they are convenient to have for general wear. It would have been very difficult to experiment due to costs if buying from that same Optician shop. After ordering online, the glasses show up pretty quickly, somewhere around 10 days on average if I remember correctly.

 

[MrSpeedy]

Another vote for Zenni. My wife and I have multiple pairs from them and have always been satisfied.

 

[Rudy Vey]

I am buying my glasses now for years from Zenni and could not be happier. Going actually to my eye doc this Wednesday as I believe my eyes have changed and I need a new script. As soon as this is done, I going to order me a couple of pairs with the new prescription. Several times my glasses were checked by the doc office and they found they are right on.
Costco also made some good ones, but they are still much more than the Zenni's.