How fees work
Which part of a visit goes to which payer, in plain words.
Insurance we work with
A routine eye exam goes to your vision plan, and glasses and contact lenses go to its eyewear benefit. A visit for an eye problem, an eye disease check or a follow-up goes to medical insurance. Many visits mix both, and we tell you which part goes where before you pay. Medicare does not cover routine eye exams or glasses, with a few exceptions.
Vision plans, for routine exams, frames and lenses
Medical insurance, for eye health visits and follow-ups
Student plans, checked before the visit
If you pay yourself
Self-pay covers the exam and the things you choose: frames, lenses, coatings and repairs. We add up each part for you in writing before you decide, and we never quote a price over the phone as a promise.
The exam, billed on its own
Frames and lenses, billed apart
Adjustments and repairs, explained first
Receipts for reimbursement
Ask for an itemized receipt and send it to your plan. The plan decides what it reimburses, and we write the receipt so it's easy to read.
An estimate in advance
If you pay without insurance, we give you a written estimate before your visit. If the final bill comes to $400 or more above the estimate, you can ask for it to be reviewed under the federal Good Faith Estimate rules.
Checking your benefits
Before your visit we check your benefits where we can and tell you what we find. Please confirm with your plan too, because the plan has the final say.
What the first visit includes
A first visit is a full eye exam, with time to talk it through. If you want glasses, we can fit them the same day. The visit is billed to a vision plan, medical insurance or you, as described above.
Which visit goes where
Vision plan, medical insurance or you
The usual pattern. Your plan decides what it pays, and we check before you come.
| Visit or product | Vision plan | Medical insurance | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine yearly eye exam | Vision planUsually | Medical insuranceNot usually | You payAny copay your plan leaves |
| Eye problem, eye disease or urgent visit | Vision planNo | Medical insuranceUsually | You payCopay or deductible |
| Glasses and contact lenses | Vision planOften, up to the eyewear benefit | Medical insuranceNo | You payAnything above the benefit |
| Adjustments and repairs | Vision planRarely | Medical insuranceNo | You payUsually, explained first |
Your prescription is yours
Your prescription is yours. We give you a copy after your exam and fitting, and you can fill it anywhere. You can take it to any seller.
Questions about a bill?
Call before your visit and we'll go through it with you.