Anyone have VSP Vision Plan?

[momtomari]

was glad to come across this thread. my dd5 will be entering kindergarten in the fall and we need to get her eye exam. i have VSP through my work and when I was looking on their site, looks like we have a $10 copay for exams

amanda

 

[mamalle]

sounds kinda like our plan which I love! copays for yearly exams are $20. I have a $220 yearly allowance for contact lenses. This year Im getting glasses though since its one or the other. I have to pay $20 towards materials and that is it for the glasses. Last year since they had some rebate special I only paid $20 for a whole year of contacts. Cant beat that!

 

[DevilDuckie]

Love it! We save hundreds of dollars.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

My impression is that VSP was formed by a bunch of overpriced small opticians to try to keep high pricing.

The VSP site touts staying with VSP-approved opticians. But I've found their prices, AFTER applying the VSP benefits, to be much higher than prices from equally-good mass merchandisers even without VSP benefits.

If you're forced to have a VSP plan, then buy outside their network and make a claim on VSP yourself, and you come out far ahead.

Example: Frame and progressive no-line bifocals in polycarbonate.

1. From Internet provider, and from Visionworks and from Optical Outlet:
$140, of which VSP will pay $140. Nothing to pay out-of-pocket.

2. From VSP-approved optician:
$400, or $320 with VSP discount, of which VSP will pay $150, leaving you $170 to pay out-of-pocket.

The Internet provider sold a much better product - even flex titanium frames. The Visionworks product was the same, and the Optical Outlet very slightly inferior.

I work for VSP and sometimes people only see the bottom line...the dollar bottom line. I don't blame you, I am the same way about a lot of things. BUT, here's what people don't understand about some of the retail chain outlets. I will use Lenscrafters as an example. The majority of their lenses are pre-fabricated. That means their lenses are in a box with the rx already applied. This may not be your EXACT rx but it's close enough. Wonder why they can get them to you so quick? That's why. All they do is cut them down to fit the frames you choose and off you go. Oh and that quick turnaround time is ONLY with your standard single vision lens. No options, no upgrades etc. As for the charges you described above...I certainly can't say for vision works but VSP has MANY MANY different plan options. It's up to your employer as to what plan you get. With the majority of VSP plans, you're single vision and lined multifocals are covered in full. All you pay is your upgrades, (coatings, etc). Some plans have options fully covered, again it depends on your specific plan. Most plans though have options that are at preferred pricing. FOr example on our standard most common plan you would pay between 60-119 for a progressive upgrade, we're talking top of the line progressive. That's another thing.....people don't realize there is not just one progressive lens. They are not all the same so you get what you pay for. Polycarbonate upgrade is $25. Trust me......I take 100 calls a day in the call center and I talk to people every day and educate them on the difference. Of course you have that option to go to a retail chain store and see a different dr every time. But VSP is known for private practice for a reason. We believe in the relationship you can develop with private practice dr's. Just like your medical dr. Your vision should be taken just as seriously. As for those that wear contacts.......big difference there as well.....if you do go out of network, ALWAYS ALWAYS check your expiration date on teh contacts.
VSP was not formed by overpriced private Dr's.........there's a reason why VSP is the largest and most successful vision insurance company. 1 out of 6 people in the US have VSP. I'd say they're doing something right.