How Much Are Contacts Without Insurance – Overview
Contact lenses are quite expensive but several factors influence their exact cost. The brand, type, prescription, and insurance coverage will determine the final cost of getting contact lenses.
In this article, we will take a closer look at some of these factors and help you to determine the cost of contact lenses without insurance.
What Affects the Cost of Contact Lenses
You may have encountered similar-looking contact lenses from different brands that significantly differ in their final price. The brand prescribed by your doctor, the strength of the prescription, the presence of astigmatism, and special features combine to determine the total cost of getting contact lenses.
Apart from this, the manufacturer’s rebates, insurance coverage, retailer coupons, yearly contact options, and bulk buying influence the cost of contact lenses.
Here’s a short breakdown of the average cost of contact lenses without insurance coverage in the United States:
Cost of Contact Lenses without Insurance
Daily disposables = Daily disposables typically cost about $55 to $90 per box of 90 lenses.
1-2 week disposables = Usually range from $20 to $50 per box of 6 lenses
2-week astigmatism disposables = Typically cost from $25 to $60 per box of 6 lenses
Monthly disposables = Usually range from $50 to $70 per box of 6 lenses
Traditional yearly soft lenses = Typically cost about $100 to $200 per pair
Rigid gas/permeable lenses = Typically cost from $100 to $400 per pair
Cost of Contact Lenses Without Insurance Coverage
The kind of optical or health insurance you have will determine the out-of-pocket amount you may need to spend to get contact lenses. If you have any health insurance policy, you should contact your insurance provider and enquire about contact lens coverage.
If you do not have an insurance policy, or your current insurance policy does not cover the cost of contact lenses, then read on to know more.
Contact Lens Cost With Health Insurance
Regular health insurance providers often offer optical benefits, including eye exams and credit for buying a pair of prescription glasses. You may even receive a voucher to cover part of the cost of contact lenses. Though it is rare, your health insurance provider may cover the complete annual cost of certain types of contact lenses.
Contact Lens Cost With Vision Insurance
Apart from health insurance, you can buy supplementary vision insurance through a different provider. Vision insurance covers the cost of an eye exam and gives credits towards buying a pair of prescription glasses or partial payment for contact lenses.
Remember, vision care services may not count towards your yearly health insurance deductible. Besides this, vision care services will not cover all out-of-pocket expenses for getting contact lenses.
FSA or HSA
The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) can also be convenient for buying contact lenses without insurance coverage. You may also be able to cover the entire annual cost of contact lenses if your employer offers your FSA or HSA every year.
Cost of Contact Lenses by Type
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Daily disposable lenses are ideal for those who do not want to bother with daily maintenance and proper storage of contact lenses. They are designed to be worn only for a day and need to be discarded once used. Today, you can even buy daily disposable contact lenses that are useful for astigmatism, too.
These types of contact lenses usually come in a box of 90 pairs. If you have different prescriptions for each eye, you must buy two separate 90-unit boxes. These contact lens packs can last up to 3 months.
The average annual cost of using daily disposable contact lenses is approximately $700 to $900, and for toric lenses for astigmatism, it can be higher, around $500 to $700.
1-2 Week Disposable Contact Lenses
These are also disposable lenses that last for 10 to 14 days at a time. If you tend to break or lose contact lenses often, these lenses will suit you better. You must remove the lenses before sleeping and soak them overnight in a saline solution.
These contact lenses usually come in a pack of 6, and the entire pack lasts for up to 3 months. The average annual cost of 1-2 week disposable contact lenses is about $220 to $260, and the cost can be slightly higher for toric lenses.
Monthly Disposable Contact Lenses
Monthly contact lenses from reliable brands are extremely durable and can last 1 to 3 months. You only need to take good care and store the lenses properly, as instructed. Check with the retailer if they offer a replacement if a contact lens breaks.
While using this type of contact lens, you must keep track of how many days you have worn the pair of lenses. Sometimes, these lenses may cause your eyes to dry up, so you might have to wear eyeglasses if you feel dryness or irritation.
The average annual cost of using monthly disposable contact lenses ranges from $150 to $250.
Traditional Soft Contact Lenses
Conventional yearly soft contact lenses require significant commitment and care. They are only advised if you are used to regularly maintaining your contact lenses. Not many brands offer this type of lens, so your options may be limited.
The annual average cost of using a conventional soft contact lens is around $50 to $80. Though the per-box cost of these lenses may seem higher, they are more affordable in the long run as you don’t need to buy them as frequently as other contact lenses.
Rigid Gas/Permeable Contact Lenses
These types of contact lenses are specially customized for each user. However, they are classified as ‘hard contacts’. They allow oxygen to reach your eyes better than conventional soft contact lenses. They are also more durable and don’t tear easily. These contact lenses can often last up to a year.
As these lenses are custom-made, buying them in bulk is impossible. You also need to remember that the replacement cost of these lenses is significantly higher.
The average cost of using rigid gas permeable lenses is approximately $100 to $400 per pair.
Conclusion
The overall cost of contact lenses is influenced mainly by the brand, type, and whether your insurance covers this service. The extent of insurance coverage also determines the out-of-pocket expenses you may have to bear when buying contact lenses.
Make sure to discuss your options with your eye doctor and take their advice about the best-suited and most affordable type of contact lens that you should buy.
See Also
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