It may not be the Doctor's fault!

Have you ever ordered glasses from your optometrist and it seemed like forever before they came in?  And when they finally arrived, they were wrong and the process had to start all over again?  I have... and my natural inclination was to be mad at the doctor!

Last week I met with an eye doctor who shared with me a problem.  Glasses were ordered for a patient 3 MONTHS ago, and the patient is still waiting for the glasses!  The doctor is frustrated and the patient is furious... and his fury is now being directed at the doctor for not being able to get the glasses made correctly.

So what happened?  The patient's vision plan is part of his medical insurance.  Although the doctor doesn't like that particular vision plan, he accepted the insurance to accommodate his patients who have it.  It's a cheaply priced vision plan which is why it appeals to many employers, insurance agents, and - of course - the people who sign up for it.

What none of these people know - as it's not disclosed on any of the vision plan documents - is the doctor may be required to use the vision plan's own lab for making the glasses... and this takes quality control out of the doctor's hands completely.  If the doctor doesn't use the mandated lab, he/she doesn't get paid.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated event as I could hear stories like this almost every day.

So, as a consumer, what can you do to prevent this from happening to you?

• DO YOUR HOMEWORK!  
• Every vision plan company has a published toll-free number... if you are on a vision plan now, or are considering enrolling in a vision plan, call and ask questions.  
• Find out if restrictions are placed on the doctor like using a specific lab or specific materials.  

The old adage is true... you DO get what you pay for so please keep this in mind even when buying a vision plan.

And if you're experiencing the same thing right now?  Ask your doctor about options available to you.  Sometimes it take the squeaky wheel to get the attention you deserve... and your doctor might be able to get your vision plan to make an exception allowing your glasses to be made at a lab the doctor trusts.

Being a good consumer

I'm one of those people who don't go see the eye doctor unless I'm on a vision plan, so I have always been used to paying my copayments and extras over what my plan allowed.

Here's how a typical visit would go...  after seeing the doctor and getting my eyes dilated, I'd be directed over to the optical department to pick out my new frames.  It's a little difficult picking out the frames and seeing the retail prices with dilated eyes, but hey... that's a subject for another post!

Once I had my frames in hand, I'd sit down with one of the employees and place the order for my new glasses... and at the same time my cost would be figured out.

Exam - $10
Frames - $20, plus the amount above the allowance on the plan... which was usually $120

We're coming to the part where I'd usually get sticker shock.  Walking into the doctor's office I had it in mind that I'd only be paying about $30.  But noooo.... suddenly I find out I owe several hundred dollars more!  How did that happen?

I wear no-line bifocals - otherwise known as progressive lenses - and my vision plan doesn't pay much towards them, so I had to pay the difference.  The optical person also recommended anti-reflective coating, scratch coating, and a tint (since I work under florescent lights).  When all was said and done, I was writing a check for a couple hundred dollars.

Has this happened to you?  There is a way to avoid the sticker shock and become a good consumer: ASK QUESTIONS about what and why add-on's are being recommended.

The doctor's office has about 150 different lenses to offer ranging in quality from sub-par to premium (i.e. cheap to expensive), so ask "Why have you selected that particular lens?"  Is it out of habit to use that lens?  Is the lab offering special incentives to use that lens?  Or is it the lens that they have the fewest complaints and greatest results?

I'm a huge believer in anti-reflective coating and - being an insider - know that a quality coating is worth the money because it won't peel or turn green around the edges.  But a quality coating also includes scratch coating... so you don't have to pay twice for this!  Ask them to explain the advantages of the coating selected and why they've chosen that one over another.

Ask questions for every single option they've recommended!  This will make you feel good about the glasses you've ordered and you'll understand better what it is you're paying for.

On another note, many vision plans now include specialty coatings as part of their plan with an additional copay.  This SEEMS like you're saving money, but you may regret going with the included options.  When a vision plan includes coatings as a defined benefit, the doctor's office must use SPECIFIED coatings... and these may not be the best product.  In order to get the quality you want, you'll have to pay more for it.  The old adage, "you get what you pay for" tends to hold true.

Hope this helps you on your next office visit.  It's always wise to be a good consumer!