How Much Are Contacts With Insurance?

If you've been wearing eyeglasses for a long time, contact lenses can give you the freedom to show your face without the frames. They can also be more comfortable, convenient, and costly. Fortunately, with vision insurance, you could save substantially on contacts. How much are contacts with insurance? Read on to understand the implications for your budget based on the type of contact and your insurance coverage. 

How Much Are Contact Lenses? 

Here is an overview of how much contacts cost without insurance based on how often you use them or the type of specialized lens.  

Of course, there are other costs to consider, such as contact solutions, contact cases and contact fittings. These, plus the type of lenses, special prescriptions, and 

How Much Are Contacts With Insurance?

While contact lenses, lens solutions, cases, and exams can cost between $400 and $1750 or more annually without insurance, most vision insurance will cover some of those costs.

Vision insurance plans may pay for some or all of an annual contact lens fitting plus some of the annual cost of your contact lenses. How much is covered depends on the type of plan and your specific provider's offerings. 

For example, some plans may have an allowance of $150 to $350 a year for contact lenses and provide coverage for your contact lens fitting. In that case, you can still expect to pay up to $1,275 for contacts annually with vision insurance. For many people, vision insurance isn't worth it in that case. Instead, choose one of the best vision insurance providers that cover contacts and compare total costs to ensure savings. 

How Much Are Contact Lenses Without Insurance?

The cost of contact lenses without insurance depends on the type of contacts you choose and whether you need specialized lenses. For example, you could get one-year contacts from $50 to $200, but for multifocal, hybrid contacts, or specialized orthokeratology lenses, the cost could be higher. 

Compare the Best Insurance for Contact Lenses From Benzinga’s Top Providers

You can find the best insurance options for contact lens users from Benzinga's trusted providers here:

What Are Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses, often simply called contacts, are thin lenses that can be placed directly on the surface of your eyes. They are an alternative to eyeglasses used by over 150 million people worldwide. Medically speaking, contact lenses are ocular prosthetic devices. Contacts can be worn to correct vision or for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons.

Types of Contact Lenses

There are many different types of contact lenses, which affect both costs and function. Here is an overview of the types of contact lenses you can consider. 

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses are made of soft, flexible plastics or silicone-hydrogels. They are designed to allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. Generally, they are easier to adjust to and are more comfortable than rigid lenses. 

Hard Contact Lenses

Hard contact lenses, also called rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGPs), are more durable. They resist deposit buildup and generally give clearer and crisper vision. However, they tend to be more expensive and less comfortable than soft contact lenses. 

Daily Wear Contacts

Disposable contacts make up the majority of soft contact lenses. You can use these lenses once and then discard them. If you have a daily wear disposable schedule, you'll use a new pair of contacts daily. 

Extended Wear Contacts

Extended-wear contact lenses allow you to wear them continuously for one to six nights and, in some cases, up to 30 days. These are usually soft contact lenses made of flexible plastics, but a few rigid, gas-permeable lenses are approved for overnight wear. Even with extended-wear contacts, you'll need to have at least one night of rest for your eye at each scheduled removal.

Bifocal 

Bifocal contact lenses offer two different prescriptions in a single lens. One prescription is for close reading, and the other is for distance vision. They can be either soft or hard contacts. 

Multifocal

Multifocal contact lenses are bifocal lenses that gradually transition between near and far. They can be either soft or hard contacts. 

Toric 

If you have an astigmatism, you might need toric contact lenses. Most other contacts are made for a spherical cornea (curved like a ball), but toric lenses are made for an astigmatic cornea (curved like a football, called a torus shape).

Hybrid 

Hybrid contact lenses can be better than soft contact lenses if you have keratoconus, astigmatism or an irregular cornea. They have a combination of a hard center with a soft skirt that gives a more comfortable fit and feel than either hard or soft contact lenses in these cases.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-k)

Ortho-k contacts can be worn during sleep to gently reshape the cornea. With Ortho-k lenses, you may be able to see clearly during the day without glasses or contacts. Correction from ortho-k is temporary and requires ongoing overnight wear to maintain but is most commonly used for children.

Scleral

Scleral contact lenses are large rigid-surface contact lenses that are custom-designed and computer-lathed for each patient. They are medical devices that require proper evaluation and a prescription from a licensed and skilled eye care practitioner.

Decorative

Decorative contact lenses are used to alter eye color or appearance. In some cases, they may also correct vision.

Should You Get Insurance for Contact Lenses?

Not all vision insurance providers will cover contact lenses, and those that do may have a significant copay or deductible. That's why it is important to compare insurance providers before choosing vision insurance as a contact-wearer. Consider what is covered by vision insurance, including deductibles and copays. You'll also want to check if your preferred optometrist is in-network. With some research, vision insurance could help you save significantly on contacts. 

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