What Insurance Does Costco Optical Take? (2022 Facts)
What insurance does Costco optical take? Optical insurance refers to insurance policies that cover the costs associated with glasses and/or contact lenses. Most optical insurance policies are offered through your employer or a family member’s employer, but some can be purchased directly from insurers.
Many people need vision correction due to a variety of factors, including age, genetics, illness, or injury. And although many people get their vision corrected with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, not everyone has access to affordable options for correcting their vision. By purchasing optical insurance, individuals at risk of developing vision problems can pay more manageable premiums that help them afford corrective eyewear when they need it most.

Costco Overview
Costco is a membership-based warehouse club that offers a wide range of products at great prices to its members. The company was founded in 1983 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman, who still serve as co-chairmen of the board today.
Costco has over 700 locations throughout the US and several other countries, including Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia. Each location offers a wide selection of merchandise in many categories, including groceries and fresh foods (like produce and meat), appliances, electronics, and furniture.
Does Costco Optical Take Insurance?
Costco Optical does accept insurance. So, if you have vision insurance, you can use your benefits to cover the cost of your eye exam and/or glasses or contact lenses. Even if you don’t have vision insurance, though, you can still take advantage of the great prices on eyewear and eye exams at Costco Optical. Just keep in mind that you must be a Costco member to use any of the optical services.
Costco Optical is a great resource for those in need of affordable eyewear and vision care. The Optical Department at Costco is staffed by licensed opticians who are trained to dispense and fit glasses and contact lenses. Costco also offers a wide selection of frame brands, including designer frames, at prices significantly lower than what you would find at most optical stores.
In addition to providing eyewear services, the Optical Department at Costco also provides comprehensive eye exams by state-licensed optometrists.

Does Costco Optical Take EyeMed Insurance?
Fewer people know that Costco also offers a variety of services, including optical care. If you have EyeMed insurance, you may be wondering if you can use it at Costco Optical. The answer is yes! Costco is considered an in-network provider for EyeMed, which means that you will receive the same level of benefits for your optical care as you would if you went to a doctor or optometrist who is in EyeMed's network.
In other words, you'll pay the same copayment or coinsurance for your eye exam and glasses or contact lenses, and you'll be able to take advantage of any special deals or discounts that EyeMed offers.
What is the cost of eye contact lenses if I don't have insurance?
If you're considering getting a Costco eye exam, you may be wondering how much it will cost you. The good news is that Costco offers some of the most competitive pricing for eye exams in the industry. A comprehensive exam at Costco will typically cost between $50 and $100, depending on your location. This price includes services like dilation, contact lens fitting, and retinal imaging.
Of course, the final cost of your exam will also be determined by any additional services you opt for. However, even without insurance, the median cost of glasses at Costco Optical is significantly lower than at major retailers - just $186 compared to $369. So if you're looking for high-quality eye care at an affordable price, Costco should definitely be your first choice.
Do I Need A Costco Membership To Go To Costco Optical With Insurance?
A Costco membership is important if you want to get your eyes checked at the in-house pharmacy or buy glasses and contacts. You can still use your insurance at Costco Optical, but you must be a member to do so. This is important to keep in mind if you’re looking to buy glasses or contacts for a non-member, as you will need a valid prescription for the non-member in order to purchase them. Ultimately, a Costco membership gives you access to a variety of benefits, including the ability to use your insurance at the in-house pharmacy.
Is it possible to make an appointment at Costco Optical without health insurance?
To book an appointment at Costco Optical, you can either call the number of your local independent doctor of optometry or the Costco Warehouse directly. Costco Optical does not accept walk-in appointments, so it is always important to make sure that you have a scheduled appointment whenever you need to be seen by an optometrist.
Costco Optical is open 7 days a week and offers convenient hours on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm and on weekends from 9 am to 4 pm. Whether you want to schedule your appointment during the workweek or over the weekend, you can easily find a time that works best for you at Costco Optical.
Will Costco Optical Put New Lenses in Old Glasses With Insurance?
There are many reasons why your local Costco Optical might not want to put new lenses in your old glasses, even if you have insurance. One reason is that they may not have the proper tools or equipment to do so. Another reason is that it's often cheaper and easier for them to simply sell you a new pair of glasses. Finally, it's possible that your particular insurance plan doesn't cover the cost of lens replacement. However, it's always worth asking your local Costco Optical team about their policy on lens replacement - you may be surprised by their answer.
What Insurance Does Costco Optical Take?
Costco Optical gladly accepts a variety of vision plans, including major national providers such as:
- VSP
- VBA Vision
- UnitedHealthcare
- Superior Vision
- Spectera
- MetLife
- MESVision
- FEB BlueVision
- Davis Vision
With or without insurance, what is the cost of a Costco optical exam?
When you visit Costco Optical for an exam, the first thing the optometrist will do is measure your visual acuity. This will give them a baseline for how well you can see and will help them to determine if you need glasses or contact lenses. They will also assess your depth perception and color vision. Next, they will dilate your pupils and check for signs of glaucoma and other eye diseases.
Finally, they will measure the pressure inside your eyes and check your peripheral vision. If you have insurance, most of these tests will be covered. However, if you don’t have insurance, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for some of the tests. Either way, Costco Optical offers competitive pricing on all of its services.
List of painless tests that monitor:
- Color blindness
- How your peripheral (side) vision is doing
- How your eyes move together
- Fluid pressure inside your eyes
- Your retinas health
- Presbyopia, astigmatism, farsightedness, nearsightedness
- Visual sharpness
Is it possible to return prescription eyeglasses acquired with insurance through Costco Optical?
Costco Optical's policy of not accepting returns or exchanges on prescription eyewear, even if bought with insurance, may seem unfair at first glance.
However, upon closer inspection, it is a policy that makes sense. Glasses are a unique product in that they are custom made for each individual. Therefore, once a pair of glasses has been made, they cannot be resold to someone else.
This is why contacts can be returned as long as the package is unopened - because they have not been customized and can potentially be worn by anyone.
Consequently, Costco Optical's policy is understandable and ultimately in the best interest of the customer.
Conclusion
If you're looking for affordable eye care, Costco Optical is a great option. They accept most major vision insurances, and if you're unsure if they accept yours, you can always call ahead of time to check.
Costco also offers eye exams and eyewear at very reasonable prices, even if you don't have insurance.
So whether you're looking for a new pair of glasses or just need a routine eye exam, Costco Optical is definitely worth checking out.
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