VSP and Cycling Glasses
 

I had a nasty crash yesterday. I was wearing precription glasses with metal frame and it stuck deeply in my skin. Firefighters were only able to cut ends of the frame with pliers and ER doctor later cut my skin open to get it out.

Now I'm thinking that cycling glasses with prescription inserts might be a good idea. I have a good VSP visual insurance plan, and it would be nice to make them pay for that. I have $200 allowance, so I can get a decent pair of glasses with it.

Has anyone got cycling glasses through visual insuranse? (I'm not thinking of contacts or a surgey as an option yet).

I'm sorry to hear about your accident, I hope you're ok otherwise.

My eye insurance paid for the prescription inserts of my Rudy Project Rydon cycling glasses. I was pretty happy about that. Have you asked your insurance rep if they'll cover it?

Don't know, but I look forward to reading what you find out. I have VSP, too.

I've never purchased glasses with visual insurance, then again I don't have any. I did buy a pair of Bolle Vigilante glasses last week off Nashbar. They cost $44 ($50 w/shipping) and come with yellow and dark lenses. I got the prescription insert at wal-mart for $13 and paid another $70 to have the prescription filled. Total cost $133.

My chat with VSP:


Subject>VSP Doctor Help Request
VSP>Melissa has joined the call.
VSP>CTAC has joined the call.
Melissa>Thank you for contacting VSP. How may I help you?
CTAC>HEllo, I have a question about frame eligibility
Melissa>I'd be happy to help. May I have your ID number please?
CTAC>12345678
Melissa>Thank you. Who am I speaking with?
CTAC>CTAC
CTAC>I'm cycling and I need a special cycling glasses with RX inserts. My VSP does not sell these, of course. Only cycling shops, but they do not deal with VSP.
Melissa>Are the lenses in the frame prescription or only the insert?
CTAC>It is a combination
CTAC>Double lenses - protective outside, RX inside
Melissa>As long as they are presciption you can file a claim for partial reimbursement. Are they single vision?
CTAC>What is 'single vison'?
Melissa>Only one prescription in the lenses versus bifocals.
CTAC>Yes, single vision
Melissa>After the $20.00 copay is applied we will reiumburse up to $45.00 for an exam, $45.00 for the lenses and up to $47.00 for the frame.
CTAC>So, I can go ahead and buy these frames and submit a claim?
Melissa>Are you getting the frame only or lenses too?
CTAC>I'll get lenses from VSP
Melissa>Ah-ha. Yes, you can file a claim for the frame only.
CTAC>Here's what it looks like
CTAC>http://www.performancebike.com/produ...0/20_1814B.jpg
CTAC>And larger view:
CTAC>http://www.performancebike.com/produ...0/20_1814B.jpg
Melissa>OK. You can take that to a VSP office for lenses.
CTAC>Do I submit claim for frames myself separate?
Melissa>Correct, using the out of network claim form.
CTAC>All right, thank you very much
Melissa>You're welcome. Thank you for using VSP Web Chat.
CTAC>Bye