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!