Consumer Alert
Eyeglass Rule updates: What they mean for you
Do you wear glasses or know someone who does? Read on to learn about important updates to your rights under the Eyeglass Rule.
Getting a copy of your eyeglass prescription immediately after your exam, at no extra charge, and without you having to ask your prescriber for it, lets you shop around for glasses. This has always been a main focus of the Rule. Prescriptions can be provided either on paper or electronically. Now, to keep up with changes in how prescribers — ophthalmologists or optometrists — deliver prescriptions, the updated Rule says
- When you get a paper copy, your prescriber, if they’re involved with selling eyeglasses, must ask you to sign a confirmation saying that you received the copy. If you agree to receive a digital copy of the prescription, the prescriber must ask you to confirm in writing or digitally – online or on a keypad – that you agree to the digital delivery and to the way it will be given to you – by email, text, or patient portal.
- Proof of insurance counts as payment for determining when an eyeglass prescription must be given. A prescriber cannot withhold a copy of your prescription for non-payment of the fees that your insurance should cover. If your insurance doesn’t cover examination fees, your prescriber may require you to pay those fees before releasing your prescription.
If you suspect a prescriber is violating the Eyeglass Rule, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For more information, check out Buying Prescription Glasses or Contact Lenses: Your Rights.
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That’s great because hindsight is 20:20 ; legally blind deficit in the right eye more- great news
It's fair
All local eye doctors are now charging ~$100 to give you a copy of your contact lens prescription, which now need to be a year old to fill. I am wearing the same script I got 45 years ago. No reason for this charge. All doctors in the area are doing it. One is even requiring a full "contact lens fitting" the first time you go to them. Clearly also not needed.
In reply to All local eye doctors are… by pam summers
Haven't heard about the $100 charge but the way I see it you pay for the service to get your eyes checked after the examination you should get the results. Which is your RX telling you what vision is, if you don't get that just don't pay. For contacts that's a bunch of s.... I go thru this every year they want to charge me for fitting fee but without the service. And I know that because the first time I got contacts the doctor showed me how to put contacts in and out how to clean them gave me contacts to try, following week checked how I liked them, gave me a different pair, another week I got my RX. For that I didn't mind a fitting fee which back then I wasn't charged it was all included in my eye exam and then to correct my vision. Yes I bought my contacts from my eye doctor but he didn't triple the price on it like the rest of them do. I got glasses and contacts which my insurance paid. Now I'm lucky if I can get the contacts without paying some on top of it. Also their isn't a place close to me to fill my RX so I have to drive like 50 miles roundtrip. Why can I not just get the contacts where I want to as long as I stay with the given amount their shouldn't be a problem. I don't know hows worse insurance or doctors
In reply to Haven't heard about the $100… by Angelika Mitchell
Vision "insurance" hasn't increased what they pay your eye doctor for the services they provide since the 1980's! They have to make a living somehow. Would you be willing to work for what you were paid 40 years ago?
In reply to Haven't heard about the $100… by Angelika Mitchell
Contact lenses are actually a medical device that you are inserting into your body. While you may follow the recommended wearing schedule, many, many people do not. This can create severe eye problems, that if not checked on a yearly bases, could cause loss of sight. During the contact lens fitting the doctor is not only writing a prescription that can be different from your glasses prescription, but also making sure that the contact is still fitting well on your eye and that there are no health concerns from the wearing of the lenses. It is a separate service that is being done that takes more time than just a refraction. Doctors should be paid for services that they provide.
In reply to Contact lenses are actually… by Jane A
Very well said.
In reply to All local eye doctors are… by pam summers
there is a thing called a contact lens evaluation and that can range in price based off of what you wear
Hard to believe that a law had to be written to enforce what should have just been provided as a courtesy all along, but here we are, folks. Glad that they did what was necessary, though, to make sure we get that to which we are entitled. So, bravo and thank you.
In the past eye doctors used to give you a prescription good for two (2) years. Now the same prescription is only good for one (1) year. Did this rule changed? Thnaks
In reply to In the past eye doctors used… by Jose
The time limit is usually set by the state laws. Plus, as you get older, your vision can change in less than a year. Medical problems can exacerbate the vision changes.
I am taking 20 mg Lutein with Zeaxanthin with breakfast to prevent eye problems and it can improve cataract vision loss.
In reply to In the past eye doctors used… by Jose
does the prescription must have pd measurement included by the doctor
In all commercial matters, ideally, but particularly in all health care services and products, THE PRESCRIBERS should be prohibited from even BEING PROVIDERS. Thus, patients could avoid the conflicts of interest INHERENT in telling a patient what she needs, that, of course, he can "best" provide. Call it the "PARTITIONED" (conflict of interest free) Heath Care System. A Dr. can specialize in diagnosis and even testing and diagnosis, but only some other Dr. with no financial interest in common with the prescribing Dr., can then provide, following the prescription.
In all commercial matters, ideally, but particularly in all health care services and products, THE PRESCRIBERS should be prohibited from even BEING PROVIDERS. Thus, patients could avoid the conflicts of interest INHERENT in telling a patient what she needs, that, of course, he can "best" provide. Call it the "PARTITIONED" (conflict of interest free) Heath Care System. A Dr. can specialize in diagnosis and even testing and diagnosis, but only some other Dr. with no financial interest in common with the prescribing Dr., can then provide, following the prescription.
I have been wearing glasses since I was two years old in 1956. Today at 71 I have finally moved from glasses that were as thick as old fashion pop bottle bottoms to paper thin lenses due to cataract surgery. This entire lifetime my parents and myself have always received a copy of my prescription without even asking. When I was young I just thought because in case I broke them. As I got older I just decided it was just in case. Now I know there was a more important rule for the eye doctors and it has never been violated
Thank you! These are good rules. In the past, I've had doctors react negatively when I've asked for the prescription. Shopping around saves money.
In reply to Thank you! These are good… by Jen Helgren
Please ask the FTC to consider regulating how long the prescription is valid for, ie: Eyeglasses prescriptions are valid for up to 5 years from the date written, contact prescriptions are valid for up to 3 years from date written, etc. With this new legal guidelines for free copies, some eyewear providers will try and use the Expires in 6 months or some arbitrary short period to circumvent the free copy rule. Charging fees for additional copies or extending the date, etc. If it is important to have different standards for Children under 18, to have shorter prescription guidelines, then add more details with regards to age recommendations.
My major complaint is that the prescriber insists on doing an eye exam every year when I do not want to , especially when I want to just use the same prescription! Something should be done about that.
The ACA was supposed to give free eye exams & a pair of glasses for children. Good luck with that. It is always a major chore to get it from the VSP which the insurance companies use to send the customers to. This has been a shell game from day one.
In reply to The ACA was supposed to give… by Greg Paige
Hello and it's a pleasure to meet you all. Reading all the comments and seeing different experiences I can tell you Eye tests are free in boots. You don't have to pay for anything apart from your choice of glasses. But if you are claiming any benefits you can have your glasses upto £40 for free. Then it's £15 pounds for insurance. And you have a written copy. I hope this helps you.
Fantastic! How does this affect the comment below???
I get the prescription with no problem but they won’t put my PD on it. I have to figure that out myself where I can order glasses online
In reply to I get the prescription with… by Darlene
I just ask the Dispensing Optician to write in my PD. They are usually very accommodating.
Finally...
I am loving this new rule.
I requested my script digitally last year from Eye Express(vision for less) they sent me a piece of paper with numbers on it but it wasn't my eye script, when I inquired about it, they told me I couldn't use my script online for my glasses. Needless to say, I didn't use them again this year for my exam or glasses.
Eye Express(vision for less) told me they had my script available online last year, but then they told me I couldn't use my script online for my glasses but I never did get an explanation as to why, even though I emailed them a few times trying to find out. Obviously, I didn't use them this year. Found a much better provider!
Wonder if there is an eye exam rule. One doc examines and just says OK. Replaced him with one that tells me the exam. IE, no glaucoma, slight cataract - too early to correct, no diabetes, no macula......
Insurance paid for exam. 2 months later I get a bill for $50 for the prescription. Scam of the year
We received a $59 charge for eye glass
so how does this apply to the fact, that they offer free exams? do they need to provide it too?