VSP Vision Insurance Plan

post #1 of 11

3/11/09 at 6:02pm

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Tarmac

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I have VSP coverage by my company, I believe it is one of the largest vision insurers in America.

However, they seem to get a lot of hate. The stores which don't accept VSP seem to have the attitude of "well of course we don't accept that shit!", and as it happens, most of the higher-end frame shops do not accept it. Typically someone who accepts it will be one of those Luxxotica full line places. Chanel, Gucci, Nike, brands I don't want.

Is there something wrong with VSP? Someone mentioned to me that VSP stores typically upcharge by about $100.00 - is this true?

I have quite a bit of coverage from them, I believe there is a $200 frame allowance and $150 lens allowance. Would you go out of your way (and spend more $$) to avoid a VSP provider?

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post #2 of 11

3/11/09 at 6:08pm

constant struggle

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My VSP Provider had lanvin frames for sale, as well as many other high designers...
I am happy with them...

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post #3 of 11

3/11/09 at 6:15pm

Renault78law

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I had a similar experience. I bought my own frames and used the insurance for the lenses and a year's supply of contacts. In my plan, you had to pick between the frames or contacts, so it worked out to be the same. I wear contacts more often anyway.

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post #4 of 11

3/11/09 at 6:19pm

daft

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^ i've got eyemed and have the same choice as you. the thing is a lot of stores that cover eyemed don't seem to have much quality frames.

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post #5 of 11

3/11/09 at 6:38pm

Teger

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarmac

I have VSP coverage by my company, I believe it is one of the largest vision insurers in America.

However, they seem to get a lot of hate. The stores which don't accept VSP seem to have the attitude of "well of course we don't accept that shit!", and as it happens, most of the higher-end frame shops do not accept it. Typically someone who accepts it will be one of those Luxxotica full line places. Chanel, Gucci, Nike, brands I don't want.

Is there something wrong with VSP? Someone mentioned to me that VSP stores typically upcharge by about $100.00 - is this true?

I have quite a bit of coverage from them, I believe there is a $200 frame allowance and $150 lens allowance. Would you go out of your way (and spend more $$) to avoid a VSP provider?

if you go to an independent/small chain store they willl usually give you a large discount for having any insurance provider

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post #6 of 11

3/11/09 at 6:48pm

sho'nuff
grrrrrrrr!!

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dont know if you already know, but VSP only works at stores with an optometrist.

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post #7 of 11

5/19/12 at 8:55pm

tbaines1965

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Yes, I want to tell you VSP is a big ripoff especially for glasses. You are only allowed to go to a private practice optometry shop. You can not go to lenscrafters, macy's, wal-mart, costco, etc. You will end up paying more because private practice makes money on the lenses. The frames are competitive in price but still a huge upcharge compared to retail shops.

VSP wants to protect private practice and only gives you that choice, but in the real world we need choice. That's what insurance is suppose to allow us to have. To save money anywhere for this service. The optometrist at Lenscrafters or Target can do just as good of a job as in private practice. Eyemed is accepted at Lenscrafters and private practice. Optum Health from United Healthcare is accepted everywhere. There are so many choices out there besides VSP. Why is VSP so popular? It's because the brokers that sell VSP make a substantially larger commission compared to the other plans. Plain and simple. It's a win for the insurance brokers, and it's a loss for consumers.

VSP will tell the consumer that they have a retail choice (ex. Costco), but they chose them because you must have a membership to get in. They also put Costco at the bottom of the web directory search and put all of the private practice doctors at the top. This gives you an illusion that there is a choice, but they tell the private practice doctors not to worry because Costco is "Out of Network." That means Costco is not allowed to tell customers or advertise that they accept VSP. It's an unfair disadvantage. Since Costco is out of network, your insurance benefits are worse compared to an "In Network" private practice doctor. They tell the customer one thing, but they tell the doctors something different. It's the only vision plan that does it.

Also look up VSP's shady tax scam past. They got their "non-profit" privileges revoked. They are definitely a for profit company, but got away with millions of dollars tax free. They finally paid a fine but not as much as they should.

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post #8 of 11

5/22/12 at 8:53pm

Joffrey

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Quote:

Originally Posted by constant struggle

My VSP Provider had lanvin frames for sale, as well as many other high designers...

I am happy with them...

Very happy with VSP too. Store I got my Oliver People's from takes them. ~650 for frames and lens and I paid 124 out of pocket...

Edit- Shieettt fell for necro shog[1].gif

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post #9 of 11

5/23/12 at 2:34pm

jfranci3

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A little tip, if you email a complaint to VSP about billing, they usually knock quite a bit off the bill no matter what. I have VSP from work, and never had a problem.

If you just want cheap glasses, why do you even want insurance? Like you said, you can get the for super cheap at walmart.

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post #10 of 11

5/28/12 at 9:19pm