Local Eye Doctor Exams (buy, cost of, shops)

[steve54]

I know there have been a bunch of threads about the cost of eye exams before but , today, I got my eye exam ( medical necessity rather than routine) and paid a $60 copay.
On the way out I was told there was a further $60 copay for the eye glasses prescription
I questioned the double charge and was told that it had to be paid
I am with the state BCBS health plan but no add on vision plan

Is the extra $60 a valid charge?

[Cleave119]

I suggest calling the BCBS customer service line, which is usually printed right on your card. In my experience, that is the best way to know exactly what you're getting into. Usually, unless you have an additional vision plan you pretty much pay most of it out of pocket i believe but it depends on your plan and your employer.

[MikeJaquish]

Aren't most optometrists and opthamalogists separate entities from the optical shops?

That probably means separate co-pays, as they will be two separate services. Particularly since the laws have unbundled prescription from sales.

[MainLineMommy]

Hmm...I've always had the eyeglass prescription included in the eye exam, but it was always $50-60 extra for the contact lense prescription. What else did you have done other than the eye chart/prescription part? If you had no other tests done, I would call bullsht on them and pitch a fit.

[bcattwood]

Was the prescription medically necessary, or just the associated eye exam for some underlying medical condition? I could see the potential for separate billing for the prescription part and as far as I know the state BCBS plan (which my wife has) offers NO coverage for that.

[Straitlover]

Originally Posted by steve54

I know there have been a bunch of threads about the cost of eye exams before but , today, I got my eye exam ( medical necessity rather than routine) and paid a $60 copay.
On the way out I was told there was a further $60 copay for the eye glasses prescription
I questioned the double charge and was told that it had to be paid
I am with the state BCBS health plan but no add on vision plan

Is the extra $60 a valid charge?

You mean you are on the state employees' health plan? If so, then we don't have any vision coverage unless you buy an extra plan anymore. It's possible that they realized they charged you wrong to start with.