https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 19:29:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-2114631 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:47:36 +0000 agilpro 2114631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have been wearing contacts since you were 15, then there is no need for a fitting appointment or the cost should be included in the exam. Sounds like another way for the eye doctor to make $85 out of their patients. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940659 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:13:40 +0000 mrsjyw 1940659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm always charged a fee for contact fitting. Even though I've been wearing contacts for more than half my life and I don't need a tech TEACHING ME HOW. BOGUS.</p> <p>Thankfully it's covered by our insurance. I think my eye place charges a higher exam fee (covers both glasses/contacts prescriptions), dilation (if I get it), contact fitting fee (1x a year).</p> <p>Then there's a dollar amount every year I can apply to contacts or glasses/lenses. It's never enough to cover the glasses or a years' worth of contacts, but at least it's something? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940655 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:11:21 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1940655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: that's what makes me angry! The receptionist had me sign paperwork saying that I was aware of charges &amp; whT my insurance covered, and this wasn't on there. I even had to sign a waiver opting out of some optional check that was $30, so why wasn't the fitting ever disclosed?</p> <p>I was blindsided by it &amp; never paid for one before, so that's why I wondered if if was BS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940647 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:07:26 +0000 dagret 1940647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: As long as I 've been an adult, on my own insurance (about a decade now), I've always had to pay a contact fitting. At my optometrist, they do give you a sample pair though (identical to the disposables I use.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940623 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:00:18 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1940623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Obviously I need to call their practice and ask, but I kind of feel like a jerk!</p> <p>I'm very happy with the brand of lenses I've been using and get them online. </p> <p>When I call my eye doctor to schedule the fitting, do I mention I buy online? It sounds like they'll need to order samples.... So are these samples complimentary because they assume you'll be ordering lenses through them? Or is that just standard practice? I want to be upfront that I won't be buying lenses through them. I get them dirt cheap online! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940546 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:22:55 +0000 snowjewelz 1940546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to get it and pay extra as well when I moved and changed provider, and I also did change the kinda/brand of contacts I was wearing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940538 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:16:32 +0000 autumnlove 1940538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds legit. I have one soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940537 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:16:31 +0000 jetsa 1940537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never heard of contact and glasses having the same exam. I always switch back and forth one year I get fitted for contacts the next for glasses. I tried to get warby Parker glasses one year when Id only had the contact exam and they wouldn't fill the prescription. I've also tried to order contacts online after the prescription expired (12 months in my state). They checked with the eye dr and then wouldn't fill the order bc I didn't have a valid prescription. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940532 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:13:55 +0000 Jess1483 1940532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's BS. It happened to me too. A $20 fee. I won't go back there. Usually contact appointments are more expensive than glasses appointments, but they're usually still one fee, so my insurance will cover it. This time, no one told me about it up front, but they wouldn't give me the contact prescription until I signed a thing acknowledging I'd probably get charged $20. I switched providers again, and they wrap the fee into the main charge.</p> <p>ETA: I want to clarify that I'd have been fine if they'd discussed it up front, when I made the appointment, rather than when I was leaving, and in order to get the contact RX, had to sign off that I'd probably have to pay for it. I don't have to pay for it at Walmart (or my new provider now), and since my RX hasn't changed in at least 8 years, despite a pregnancy, I'd have liked the option to say no without it meaning I'd need a new appointment elsewhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940528 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:10:16 +0000 Eko 1940528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every eye shape is different and if the contact does not rest properly on the eye then it will ruin your vision. The contact fitting ensures that the contacts you will be wearing fit perfectly on your eye. The contact fitting is to also ensure that you are getting 20/20 vision. My astigmatism was so bad that I had to go through four fittings to be able to get the right measurements to get me perfect vision. I think it's a good idea to get it this round, especially if you haven't had it done in a while. I would maybe save the arguing for next year or the year after. My insurance didn't cover everything and I spent about $500 OOP to get my lenses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940449 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 08:06:21 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1940449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: not sure , I'll have to call and ask! I haven't done a fitting at the new place yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940438 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:59:35 +0000 looch 1940438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: me too, lol. </p> <p>When you get your fitting, does your doc give you a sample? I have 6 pairs sitting in my bathroom vanity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940434 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:56:34 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1940434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: my script changed!!! So... I guess I have to pay this free at least once every 24 months :silly: </p> <p>I wear contacts SO I FREQUENTLY that I'm being a big brat over this. A disposable box of 30 will last me more than 6 months. </p> <p>I put contacts in this morning so it's on my mind! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940428 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:51:15 +0000 looch 1940428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if it varies by state, but my doctor will write the RX, even though they have a boutique in the office.</p> <p>If you have the box, you have your prescription. It's really easy to order online, you put in your doc, they "verify" but if the doc doesn't respond, they still sell you the lenses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940425 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:48:50 +0000 Hoots 1940425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: I think it depends on the doctor. I've seen reviews of them holding your Rx hostage (as in you had to pay a fee to get a written Rx) if you don't order from them. But it didn't happen to me, so not sure how true it is. I just asked. They gave me a sales pitch about how their prices are the same as everyone else's but you get more service from them (which, um, didn't I already pay for once with the fitting?!?). I told them if that's the case, I'd be back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940420 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:40:36 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1940420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hoots: if I ordered contacts through him, we'd do that. He'd order a sample pair, and i would give them a try. I never paid for the service though, and now that I think of it I always had to go back since they had to order the contact lenses. </p> <p>So I stand corrected. I've had a lense fitting, just not since 2008 and I've never paid out of pocket for it!</p> <p>So what happens if you don't order contacts through the doctor and want to get them online instead? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940411 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:37:15 +0000 Hoots 1940411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: She pulled out a sample pair of contacts, had me put them in, checked the fit on my eyes with the microscopey thing (not sure what the piece of equipment is actually called), had me read off some stuff from the chart, and sent me on my way. Because it was a new brand, she had me come back in a week to recheck the fit. The recheck, which was like 2 minutes of conversation, was the only thing different. With my old doctor, we always just called if there was a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940404 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:30:10 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1940404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hoots: maybe?!? What do you do at a fitting? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940401 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:27:35 +0000 Hoots 1940401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: I felt the same way last year. That was my first fitting in a large city. It really sucks. I wear toric lenses, and they make me pay even more for a contact fitting. I actually called my insurance company to make sure it was a legit fee since I had never heard of it. They assured me it was common. My new doctor's office told me it covers the cost of two sample pairs of contact lenses and one repeat visit. </p> <p>The doctor I had in my hometown always combined the two with no additional fee. Maybe your old doctor fitted you at the same time he did your eye exam? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940393 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:18:52 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1940393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: very interesting. I saw the same optometrist for 20+ years, and he retired so I decided to find a place closer to my home. If I ever had a contact fitting with him, if was when I first for my contacts when I was 15.</p> <p>Our insurance also changed so now we get one eye exam covered every 24 months and a 20% discount on prescription glasses. Contacts aren't covered. I'm looking at getting glasses from warby Parker because even after the discount, I was looking at paying $250 at the optometrists office! Noooo thanks. We used to have 100% coverage on prescription eyewear. </p> <p>I was getting ready to leave my appointment and she was like, "oh, did you want a contact fitting?" Very sneaky. I feel like this fee and policy should have been disclosed upfront. I had never heard of a contact fitting until then! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940390 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:15:23 +0000 artsyfartsy 1940390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get a "contact fitting" every year when I need to renew my contacts prescription. I've worn contacts for 11 years and I've had the same doctor. Luckily my insurance pays for it now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940389 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:14:02 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1940389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to pay for one every year. Insurance covered the medical part of the exam but the "contact fitting" was a separate charge every time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940388 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:12:14 +0000 looch 1940388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the same fitting, every single year, if I want my prescription renewed. I haven't worn contact lenses in 4 years now, but I do know that if i use an online service, I can still order my same old prescription. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940384 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:06:13 +0000 PrincessBaby 1940384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: I have never had a different contact lens Rx than my glasses Rx....Truthfully, it's because optometrists are businesses just like any other business, and it has always been an industry standard that generates profit for them. Also the 1 year expiration for contact lens exams - this was voted on and passed by a board of eye practitioners themselves- like the American Optometry Something or Other, and it's how they force you to come in for an exam and have to pay for it so they can stay in business. Otherwise, no one would ever ever go to the eye doctor unless they had a problem. I certainly wouldn't! </p> <p>But my best friend is an OD in private practice and so I definitely see the business side of things. If they didn't have rules like that, all of the private guys would be out of business and we'd all be sitting at Wal Marts and Costcos getting eye exams on sub-par equipment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940378 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:01:38 +0000 FliegepilzHut 1940378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: A contact fitting is when they put different types of contacts on you and then examine for best fit (what contour fits your eyes best and will cause the least irritation). If you've been wearing the same brand for many years and tolerating them well AND your exam looks good, you could try to bring a box of your regular contacts with you to the appointment to see if they can just continue that brand. There are a lot of ifs, but it might work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940372 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 06:59:50 +0000 PrincessBaby 1940372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: It's legit. The contact lens fitting fee is always a separate fee from the eye exam they do for your glasses Rx. In most states, a contact lens Rx is good for 1 year (some states it's two) and then if you want to reorder contacts and your Rx is out of date, you have to get another contact lens fitting and pay the fee again. I have worn contacts forever, and even though I just got new glasses and contacts a couple of months ago, I can't remember what the fee was for my contact lens exam but I think that fee is in line with what most practitioners charge. I also used to work for a medical device company and sold contact lenses so I called on ODs all day, and I specifically remember the private docs getting all pissed that Costco and WM and places that had discount vision centers would do contact lens exams for like $50 so I think if you're going to a private OD with better equipment than those places (for a more accurate fit and Rx) then $85 sounds normal from what I can remember. They probably even take photos of your eye to check for inner eye issues that contact lenses can cause and you're not even aware of, so you are probably getting very thorough eyeball care, fwiw, if you're going to a private OD (optometrist)..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940370 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 06:58:23 +0000 mrs scrapbook 1940370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had one each time I've switched providers (new insurance, then we moved to a new state). I also had to get one when the type of contacts I used was discontinued and I needed a new brand. But I have an astigmatism, which could have influenced my need for all those fittings as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940367 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 06:56:47 +0000 avivoca 1940367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My provider requires one every year and my insurance doesn't cover it either. I think it's BS and it's one of the reasons I exclusively wear glasses now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940364 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 06:54:32 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1940364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: what should I argue, then? I'm not even exactly sure what this is!</p> <p>ETA: I should clarify and say my insurance covers an eye exam once every 24 months. I opted out of the fitting at my exam &amp; asked if I would have to pay for a new exam out of pocket if/when i came back for the fitting. She said no, it's a stand alone fee. </p> <p>What in the world could they do/measure/do differently than what they already did during the actual eye exam? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-a-contact-fitting#post-1940362 Wed, 12 Nov 2014 06:49:16 +0000 lamariniere 1940362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had one twice. The very first time I got contacts, and then when I moved to Austria and saw the eye doc for the first time. I probably had at least 6 different providers in the US and never had to have a fitting other than the first time. </p>