I just had a conversation with my aunt and she told me that she went out to buy her very first pair of prescription eyeglasses. She told me she had no idea how much they were going to cost, so she just went out and picked out some frames that she really liked. After she went to pick up her new pair of eyeglasses she ended up paying $550, because she decided to buy glasses that came with Armani frames. Yes, I’m being completely serious here. I can’t even begin to tell you how I reacted when she told me this.
I’ve been shopping for prescription eyeglasses myself and I’ve seen plenty of options. There’s practically no limit to how much a pair of prescription eyeglasses will cost you. Typically, I see a ton of options that are over $600. Heck, even the “bargain frames” are around $200 a pop. Without a doubt, you can end up spending a ton of cash on prescription eyeglasses, but there are ways to save money you probably didn’t know about, either. I’ve saved as much as 90% on prescription eyeglasses in the past and I’m going to share my tips with you below.
#1. Check With Your insurance Company
Before you even schedule your eye exam, you should get your insurance company on the phone first. You may be surprised to learn that your insurance company will offer some sort of coverage on vision expenses. Most insurance companies cover vision expenses, so I suggest that you check with them first. If you never ask, you’ll never know. I called my health insurance company awhile back and to my surprise, I found out that I’m actually covered for a yearly eye exam. I never even knew that I had vision coverage.
#2. Find a Retailer That Offers Free Repairs or Replacement
At some point or another, your glasses will become damaged in some way. Typically, you’ll notice that your glasses have been bent or they’ve gotten scratched. In worst case scenarios, you accidently sit on your glasses and broke them. Some companies out there will actually offer you some sort of coverage. For instance, LensCrafters offers free adjustments and cleanings, while other companies might guarantee their glasses for a certain period of time.
I highly suggest that you always shop around for the best deals and for the best coverage plans. Like I said, something will happen to your glasses at one point or another and your coverage will come in very handy for when it does happen.
#3. Do You have FSA?
FSA stands for “Flexible Spending Account,” and some employers offer this service to their employees. Typically, an FSA will cover the following vision services:
- Contact Lenses
- Contact Lens Solution
- Reading Glasses
- Tinting
- Prescription Glasses
- Prescription Sunglasses
- Eye Exams
This is a paid service and if you’re paying for it, you should certainly use it to your advantage. Basically, your employer will offer you the ability to take some cash out of your paycheck to contribute to the FSA, so if you don’t have FSA coverage, you should opt for it at the next chance you get. Also, your contribution to the FSA is taken out before taxes, so you’ll save some money there, as well.
