Frustrated - coverage for glasses, disability insurance

I'm on provincial disability benefits and working part time. The main reason I'm still on disability at all is to get drug, dental, and vision coverage as my employer doesn't offer it to part time employees.

Generally the benefits are good, with the exception of vision care. I had an accident and broke my glasses this week. Fortunately I have a back up pair as I'm blind without glasses. I got in touch with my case worker today, to see if I can get coverage for a new pair. Their standard is they'll pay for a new pair every 3 years, and it's only been about 18 months since I last got a new pair, but I explained the situation. Their response? If I need a new prescription, they'll pay for new lenses, and if I've broken the frames I need to bring the glasses into the office to prove they're broken and get authorization for new frames. Yes frames. I re-confirmed with them, and they'll pay for frames but not lenses. I guess they're thinking that somehow my lenses can be fitted into new frames. And they'll authorize a max. of 35 for frames, which is so low that it won't even cover a super cheap pair. Honestly at this rate, I don't understand why they even pretend to have coverage.

You might find your old frames are still available.

With my prescription, my glasses are usually well over $500, so yeah $35 is ridiculous.

Health care in this country is in the toilet and has been for decades it seems. $35 is a joke. My eye exams are covered but not glasses (except for a measly discount). The frames often cost more than lenses. You might be able to get your lenses in new frames. I’ve done that before.

My glasses are a necessity, not a fashion accessory. I can’t even drive without them and it’s on my license too. They don’t cover certain types of tints or lenses, etc. They cover glasses for those up to age 21, as if those older have perfect vision. It’s about money I’m sure. They shouldn’t even claim to have vision care, you’re right. And it’s a disgrace part time people don’t get benefits and even full time people don’t sometimes.

Speaking of glasses, there’s a class action lawsuit against LensCrafters about their AccuFit glasses. It’s for September 2013 - September 2023, 10 years! I don’t know if I ever had them but if so I wouldn’t have saved the receipt 10 years in case there’s a class action lawsuit! And most of the money goes to the lawyers.



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That really surprises me that they only cover glasses every 3 yrs. That’s an incredibly long time. Eyes can change before then. Wow, $35 is low. I get my glasses online. Their frames start at $25. But there’s no way I know of to use your lenses online. You’d have to go to a brick and mortar store and order the same frames. Wow.

I’m in the USA and I have a covered exam every year. And every year my prescription has changed. My insurance used to cover glasses up to I think it was $125 but recently changed it to $100 every 18months. They stopped their otc benefits too. I’m right now finding out which plan to accept for the new year. It’s so complicated.