I have been a patient of this office for a few years now. I wear both glasses and contacts. I feel conflicted however because I like smaller/more private eye clinics like this vs. major retailers. That being said, I struggle with the pricing.
First, let me say that everyone at the office is extremely nice and friendly. The doctor(s) are extremely nice, helpful, and explain things well.
Yesterday I went with the intention of altering the type of contacts I wear as I had been wearing Precision 1 (Dailies) for astigmatism,but they simply cost too much. So I wanted to go back to either 2 week disposable or (preferably) monthly disposable.
I brought my 3 pairs of Oakley eyeglasses which are all in good shape,
I asked to be fitted for monthly contacts as they are one of the cheapest and was told that 2 week disposables would be the best for my situation.
I had no problem with the suggestion and we went with Acuvue Oasysis w/hydroglyde. The Dr. also checked my most current pair of Oakley glasses and made an adjustment to the lenses, which, while in the chair, definitely seemed to make a difference.
Now comes the confusing part. I hate vision benefits as they don't seem to cover enough for what the price of quality eye products cost---but that certainly isn't the office'e fault.
My benefits allow EITHER frames and contacts or lenses and frames per year. But, I wanted to see how much it would be to put the updated prescription of lenses into my most current Oakley frames and use my benefits towards the disposable contacts. My allowance is $130 for disposable contacts. Single vision lenses are paid in full and based on the additives selected (scratch-resistance, polycarbonate, etc, have copays).
I was told I would get the best use of my insurance on the lenses and pay out of pocket for my contacts. I was prepared to hear a total between $400-$500 for everything since I was buying 6 months of contacts and was told my Oakleys needed a "thinner" type of lense.
The contacts, and whatever I had to pay for the contact lense fitting and evaluation, plus that eye-scanning test that's around $44, was $383.47.
Then I heard the total to put the new lenses in my glasses and it would have been somewhere around $240!!
I was not prepared to pay roughly $624 so I asked that we simply hold off on the lenses, and use the benefits for my contacts.
So I paid $383.47 for contacts with plans to come back in a few weeks to have my lenses put into my glasses.
My girlfriend was with me and we were talking and the amount I paid just seemed high. Plus, I didn't receive any type of itemized statement for the services provided, their cost, and what the insurance was to pay.
I decided to go to Visionworks in South Hills Village Mall on the way home. I walked into Visionworks, pulled up my current prescription, and told them I simply wanted to see what the cost would be to have the lenses put into the frames.
The lady called EyeMed and was told I would be responsible for a $40 copay for polycarbonate, that's it!!! (I didn't think I could get lenses since I just got contacts) but I wasn't going to argue.
So, rather than $240 (roughly) for 1 pair of lenses that I was quoted, Visionworks charged me $40 for new lenses put into the same frames. AND, since they were having a buy 1, get 1 50% off, she took my back-up Oakley glasses and I'm getting the new prescription lenses put into THOSE frames also.
I walked out of VisionWorks paying $155 for 2 sets of new lenses with polycarbonate and scratch coating rather than paying $240 for 1 set of lenses!!!
This makes me wonder if I was way overcharged for my contacts? Today, I asked to have an itemized statement sent to me from Your family Eye Doctors to see the cost per box and with the insurance paying for $130 worth.
Again, I have no problem with Your Family Eye Doctors. They are professional, clean, thorough, and have a large selection. My only feeling is that it's a bit pricey as I would have paid about $624 and paid $538 between the two providers (and I'm receiving an extra pair of lenses).
