1-800 Contacts: How to Save on Contact Lenses Online
A plain-talk guide to ordering contact lenses from 1-800 Contacts, using vision insurance and FSA or HSA funds, and comparing prices before you buy.
“Class, I am happy to save money on almost anything, but your eyes are not a bargain bin. Today we learn how to save on contact lenses the safe and sensible way.”
What is 1-800 Contacts?
1-800 Contacts is a long-running online seller of contact lenses in the United States. You can order daily, biweekly, monthly, and specialty lenses, plus solution and other lens care supplies, and have them shipped to your home.
To buy contact lenses from 1-800 Contacts, or from any seller, you need a valid prescription from an eye care professional. 1-800 Contacts accepts many vision insurance plans and lets you pay with an FSA or HSA card for eligible items.
Why I assign it to my students
Contact lenses are a regular expense, and regular expenses are where small savings add up. Comparing prices from home is easier than making an extra trip to the office.
- Insurance at checkout. 1-800 Contacts says it works with several in-network plans, including Davis Vision, Superior Vision, Blue View Vision, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, and Spectera, and accepts some out-of-network plans like VSP, EyeMed, Aetna, and Humana.
- FSA and HSA friendly. Prescription lenses and lens care supplies are listed as eligible, so you can use pre-tax health dollars.
- Home delivery. No driving, no waiting room, no parking hunt.
- Easy reordering. Once your prescription is on file, reordering is quick.
How to save at 1-800 Contacts, step by step
- Get your current prescription. Ask your eye doctor for a copy. You are entitled to it after your fitting.
- Check your benefits. Look up your vision insurance and any FSA or HSA balance before you order.
- Price it out. Look up your exact lens brand on 1-800 Contacts. Then ask your eye doctor’s office and your insurance plan for their prices too.
- Compare the total cost. Include shipping, any rebates, and what insurance will cover, not just the box price.
- Enter your prescription carefully. Double-check the brand, power, and other numbers so you get the right lenses.
- Look for current offers on the site. Only trust promotions shown on 1-800 Contacts’ own website.
Professor Ima’s quick tips
- Keep your receipts and prescription. Your FSA administrator may ask for proof that the purchase was eligible.
- Use FSA money before your plan deadline. Many plans have use-it-or-lose-it rules.
- Buying a larger supply may lower the cost per box, but only if your prescription will not change soon.
- Never order lenses that do not match your prescription, even if a different brand is cheaper. Ask your eye doctor first.
- Nonprescription colored lenses are not FSA or HSA eligible.
Contact lenses for seniors and fixed incomes
As we get older, our eyes often change, and some of us need reading glasses, bifocals, or multifocal lenses. Your eye doctor is the one to decide what is right for you. Once you have a prescription, comparing prices online can help a fixed budget go further.
1-800 Contacts also offers an online vision exam for some people whose prescriptions have expired. An online test is not the same as a full, in-person eye exam, which can check the health of your eyes and not just your vision. Regular in-person exams matter more with age, so talk with your eye doctor about how often you should be seen. Medicare and other health plans have their own rules for vision coverage, so check your plan details too.
Things to watch for
- A valid prescription is required. Expired prescriptions must be renewed before you can order.
- Insurance varies. Out-of-network plans may work differently from in-network plans. Check what you will pay.
- The cheapest price is not always the lowest total. Compare shipping, rebates, and insurance coverage.
- Eye problems need a professional. If you have pain, redness, or sudden vision changes, contact your eye doctor right away rather than reordering lenses.
- Guarantees have terms. 1-800 Contacts advertises promises and price guarantees. Read the details on its site before counting on them.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription to order from 1-800 Contacts?
Yes. You need a valid contact lens prescription from an eye care professional to buy contact lenses.
Does 1-800 Contacts take insurance?
Yes. 1-800 Contacts lists several in-network vision plans and some out-of-network plans it accepts. Check your plan’s coverage before ordering.
Can I use FSA or HSA at 1-800 Contacts?
Yes. 1-800 Contacts says you can use your FSA or HSA card at checkout for prescription lenses and related lens care items.
Is 1-800 Contacts cheaper than my eye doctor?
Sometimes, but not always. Compare the total cost, including insurance and rebates, with your eye doctor’s office before you decide.
Professor Ima B. Cheap
Deals, prices, and policies change often. This handout is general shopping information, not medical advice. Cheap101 is not affiliated with 1-800 Contacts. Always check the final price and the company’s terms before you buy. More handouts: Cheap101 Class Handouts · Coupons and deals guide