You won’t believe what happened to us today. Now first let me just explain that we pretty much just get by financially and so we make everything last as long as we can before replacing them. Sometimes it comes down to a choice like get your teeth fixed or get new glasses. (We decided on the glasses.) Now just so you know, we don’t have any insurance to cover this, either medical or eye. No problem, we just pay out of pocket. My husband has had the same eye glasses since 2009. Not only has his prescription probably changed but the lenses are scratched pretty badly. So we finally came up with enough money to go to the eye doctor in a chain store. I was very happy because my husband would get the new glasses he needed.
Of course when we got there, there was paperwork to fill out. We made sure to fill it out as completely as possible. And that my dear readers might have been a mistake. He marked that he had diabetes on the form. The assistant approached him and explained that there would be additional tests the eye doctor would have to do because he was diabetic. We said that yes we understood that he would have to have his eyes dilated so that the doctor could take a good look at his retina. She responded that there was a LOT more to it than that and the eye doctor would have to communicate with our family physician and the additional cost would be at least $150 besides the normal fee for the exam. We explained that wasn’t in our budget and we would only be purchasing the eye exam and the dilation today and ordering new glasses, thank you. (Last time I checked we were the consumer, right?)
The lady went back and talked to the eye doctor and apparently, that was not acceptable. We were informed that they would have to cancel the eye exam. Now wait a minute, I don’t understand. We are the consumers. We are paying for what we believe we need and want. Okay, the doctor is covering his own behind, I get that. Then have us sign a paper saying we declined and get on with the exam.
There was no such paper to sign. We left with no exam and no glasses ordered. Hmm, now what? Well this left us wondering what to do. The bottom line is that he needs new glasses. Do we wait another three years and save up more money? That just doesn’t seem like an option. So one idea does occur to us but it is hard because we are honest people. We could contact another store for an eye exam and perhaps leave out a bit of medical information. What else are we to do? My husband needs new glasses and he needs to have his eyes dilated to be checked for any problems that could be developing.
For those of you that do not have any financial worries the answer is simple, just pay the extra $150. Well, yeah we could but that happens to be our entire grocery budget for the next month and eating is a bit of a necessity.
What would you do? Do we have to stoop so low as to essentially lie on the forms? We rationalize that we aren’t hurting anyone else in any way by doing so. One could even say that the system gave us no other choice. But at the end of the day that still leaves us being liars. Where do you draw the line?
So Theresa, you are suggesting that everyone now omits information from their forms, right? No, actually I am not but I am saying that you need to be informed about the possibility that if you provide your medical information freely it could stop you from getting a much needed exam and new eye glasses.
Update: We went to America’s Best and they had a special that if you bought 2 pair of glasses you would get the exam for free. Since my husband wears bifocals the cost was $99 something. Being responsible we also got the test they use in place of dilation to find any problems. There was an extra cost for this of $15. Because the glasses were so cheap I was also able to get my eyes checked as well and ordered two pairs of glasses. We stayed within the budget I had to just get him glasses and we ended up with 2 exams, 4 pairs of glasses and 2 special tests and it cost $123.something each. If we didn’t need bifocals it would have been $30 cheaper. So far for the service and the cost, we can recommend them. I will report back after the glasses come in.
The glasses came in and we are very pleased. Now we have a pair for now and one to put away “just in case”. I can’t even imagine that we have two pairs of glasses each.
Have this happened to you? Tell us about it.
Marsha C says
I would leave out that information in this situation. I really don’t see how it hurts anyone. He just needed glasses. It’s not like you’d be lying to get meds or anything like that. Do you have an America’s Best anywhere near you? We got my husband an exam and two pairs of glasses for $70 when he really needed them. They aren’t fancy glasses, but they’re nice enough, and he can see again!
Theresa Smith says
I was actually looking at a listing for America’s Best that is a little ways from us and considering it. They have a deal where you can get a free eye exam with the purchase of 2 pairs of glasses. Well it sounds like they are cheaper for 2 pair than the eye exam itself would have been at the other place. We will definitely be checking it out. Maybe I can get some glasses too although it probably isn’t worth it because I have cataracts.
Theresa Smith says
Funny thing, I was told in 2009 that I had cataracts. When I went and got my eyes checked at America’s Best this past weekend he told me that I had 2 tiny spots but he wouldn’t classify me as having cataracts and he wouldn’t even have mentioned them if I didn’t ask about it.
Theresa Smith says
Thank you Marsha, we took your advice and went to America’s Best and we haven’t got the glasses yet but they were very nice and so reasonable that I even got an exam and ordered 2 pair of glasses. I had budgeted $250 and we came in just under that for the two of us (read above for the update). I am very happy. Two pair of glasses each should get us by for quite a long time.
Edna Williams says
Unfortunately, the system is set up in such a way that the average person does sometimes have to lie to get what they need.
Theresa Smith says
I am beginning to be a broken record but you know things didn’t used to be this way. Each decade it seems the changes are going in the wrong direction. I cringe to think what things will be like for my granddaughters.
Cheryl Everitt says
I would leave that information off of the form, too. At some point when you have the money you could go back for the complete exam. I have vever encountered this, but when money is tight – you gotta do what you gotta do!!
Theresa Smith says
Unfortunately, I think you are right. I am going to call around and ask some questions but I guess in the end he just simply needs new glasses.
ANN*H says
Well I hope he got to get new glasses. I know when I went to get my eyes checked etc. I thought insurance would cover some of it. Well the same thing sorta happened to me . Need other tests done at extra our of pocket , the eye dr . decided if I need a extra test for Graves disease , not my doctor doctor the eye doctor decided it. Well needless to say I ended up paying lot more then I budgeted on. Tho I refused to get glasses thee I went else where and got cheaper ones. I hadnt had new glasses in atleast 10 years.Kind of the same with teeth. You tell them what you want done and they say no this is what I am going to do. Well Hey if I’m paying for it do what I ask to be done.
Theresa Smith says
Exactly Ann, I feel the same way. If I am the consumer then I should have the say about what gets done. If I want to refuse a test then I should be able to do so. After all we see our regular doctor every 3-6 months even though we don’t have insurance and she takes good care of us.
Anon. says
Oh my gosh… That sounds so frustrating. I didn’t have any kind of health, dental, or optical insurance coverage all through grad school (seven years!), and had to pay out of pocket for everything. I wear glasses/contacts, and it’s EXPENSIVE! So, I can relate in a way.
Now, I have Medicaid– I’m covered for medical, optical, and dental. (I feel the need to tell anyone reading this that NO, I am not sponging off the system. I’m in the depths of poverty hell. It’s a long story.) I’m having a kind of similar dilemma, about whether to commit the so-called sin of omission.
In my current home state (different than where I lived during grad school), anyone with my Medicaid program is– under state law– NOT ALLOWED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR DENTAL SERVICES. …?!! The problem? VERY few dentists in my area take patients with my insurance plan, and very few are taking new patients. ALL of the waitlists have been full every time I’ve called.
But, I need to see a dentist.
I’m considering making a visit to my previous city/state, and going to see a dentist… But that would require lying on the forms, and stating that I have no dental coverage. …Hmm, sounds like some kind of fraud to me.
I just have no idea… No idea.
I apologize for rambling; I type quickly! :p Thank you for sharing your story. Best wishes to you and your family.
Theresa Smith says
That is crazy too! You would think they would want you to pay if you could. I will freely admit that I do not understand the reasoning behind some of the rules these days. In your situation, I don’t know the penalty for going against this rule but I would probably be afraid of losing my benefits if I was you. Be careful.
Theresa Smith says
I have no benefits so that isn’t a problem.
Zoey says
Wow, this is ridiculous. You should be able to decline any medical procedures without it affecting your overall care. I wonder if there is a governing body in your area that you could contact about this?
Theresa Smith says
The truth is that they are probably able to conduct their business any way they choose and refuse any customer. We obviously took our business elsewhere but then again they didn’t give us much choice. (read update in post) I believe everything happens for a reason. Because they denied us I was also able to get glasses within the same budget we had set aside to get some for my husband. I still don’t think they were right but it actually worked out better for us in the long run.
Wanda Tracey says
Wow!! What a hassle you had to go through.That must have been so diappointing.I am glad it all worked out for you and your husband got the glasses he needs.
Theresa Smith says
Thanks, we should get the glasses in another week but I expect it all to work out just fine now.
Jennifer Rogers says
awesome! So glad you were able to get new glassea nd eye exam. Keep being responsible financially, it’s the only way, whatever that takes!
Patricia Hoffmeister says
We have always gone to an ophthalmologist but she only does surgeries now. My husband went to my oldest son’s optometrist. Was very pleased but too expensive for both of us to get exams and glasses. I am diabetic so really need to. Just looked and there is an America’s Best near me so will have to look into it.
Theresa Smith says
I hope you are able to get some new glasses.
Cathy Jarolin says
Its a shame that we cant be truthful on some forms we fill out for the fear of someone being prejudice and pointing us out as being different!! Then insisting we have certain tests that we don’t want or can’t afford! You made the right decision to find another place to get your eyes checked and your new Glasses. Thank you for pointing this problem out to us . I know a lot of us are in the same predicament as you were. Have a Great Day! Oh Yes I agree they should offer you a waiver to be signed that u were offered but did not want the test!! Good Point!! 🙂
Christine says
Does he have diabetes that is controlled by insulin or medication like metformin?
You have no health insurance whatsoever? Routine and medical eye exams are covered under medical insurance. No extra vision coverage is needed or eye exams. In addition your blog doesn’t specify if the first doctor is a ophthalmologist or optometrist.
As a person who is blind in one eye and has a fake eye and has a mom who has diabetes with retinopathy, your husband better take care of his eyes and make sure his retina is checked at least once per year.
Don’t cut corners on your eyes.
Theresa Smith says
Yes, he does. We both do and we see our doctor every three months. We did not have a problem having his eyes dilated and paying extra for that. We intended to do that. But we did not need our eye doctor to coordinate with our family doctor. We did not need $150 worth of extra services.
If you read the update we went elsewhere and did in fact get the extra testing for $15 each. No we don’t have insurance. When they charge 1/2 of your take home pay for insurance and your take home pay is not a living wage that doesn’t leave you much choice.
We spend less at the doctor for the entire year paying out of pocket than one month of health insurance would be. Would we like insurance? Sure. Is there any money for insurance? No. When the only expense left to adjust is your grocery expense and you spend an average of $2.50 per meal total (not per person) there is simply no where else to skimp.
I am sorry to hear of yours and your mom’s problems with your eyes. Like many people out there we do what we can. When I became disabled but was unable to get disability we went down to one income. I am doing what I can to help contribute but I never realized I would someday have to work primarily from bed to make a living. Life can change in a heartbeat.