Contact Lens Exams and Insurance Coverage

While they may not seem like much, contact lenses are Class II and III medical devices as determined by the FDA. For this reason contact lens prescriptions are regulated by laws similar to those regulating prescription drugs, and must be renewed annually. It is important to be aware that even though you may have vision insurance that covers a routine eye exam, the fee to be fit with new contacts or to renew an existing contact lens prescription generally is not covered. Most insurance companies do not consider contact lenses a necessity; if a patient’s vision can be corrected by wearing glasses the use of contact lenses is considered elective.

Some vision insurance plans allow a discount on contact lens exams, and some plans have a combined exam + hardware benefit that you can dip into to cover your fitting fee or renewal. Most often though, the contact lens fitting or prescription renewal is the patient’s responsibility.
Our contact lens exam fees are as follows:

Renewal – $50
• You have been fit with contacts at OUR OFFICE in the past and are renewing your prescription.

New Fit – $80
• You wear or have worn contacts in the past, but have never seen our doctor for a contact lens exam and need to renew your prescription.

Complex Fit – $105
• You wear or have worn contacts in the past, but have never seen our doctor for a contact lens exam AND have vision needs that may require a more complicated contact lens fitting (ex: RPG lenses, monovision, etc).

Training – $135
• This is your first time wearing contact lenses. Covers insertion and removal training.

All pricing covers any trial contact lenses that may be dispensed, as well as any follow up visits that may occur prior to finalizing your prescription.

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