A cute pair of frames can really pull together a look , but sometimes you just dont want pesky glasses on your face. Unfortunately, contact lenses are expensive, and insurance plans usually only cover glasses or lenses not both. Plus, there are limits to that coverage.

Though you wont score the kind of major discounts you would by buying glasses online , purchasing your contacts from a third-party online retailer instead of your eye care provider is usually a surefire way to save money .

One thing to keep in mind when comparison shopping for contacts is that prices vary pretty widely depending on the type of lens you want. For example, daily disposable lenses that you toss after each use are generally more expensive than the kind you keep for up to 30 days. If you have astigmatism, youll need boric lenses, which also tend to cost more. Other specialty lenses, such as multifocal and colored varieties, also tend to be pricier than simple prescriptions.

Also, not all retailers accept insurance or are considered out-of-network by major providers. However, you can often submit the receipt to your insurance provider and get reimbursed if you are covered (its always a good idea to check). Plus, if you have a health savings account or flexible spending account , most products will qualify to be paid for with those funds.

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Cheapest Places To Buy Contacts Online

With that in mind, we selected a few different types of lenses and compared their prices across 13 popular online stores for buying contacts. While no one retailer had the best prices across the board, there were a few standouts, including 1 800 Contacts, Contact Lens King and Costco.