Category Archives: Health

The results of my search for low-priced contact lenses

I agreed to let my optometrist write my prescription for newer lenses instead of the older ones I’ve been using. I like that the new ones are monthly instead of bi-weekly lenses. I also found they were more comfortable than my old lenses, and the office assured me that they would end up costing roughly the same amount per year as my old lenses.

However, I made sure I would be able to change my mind. Since the lens brand is part of the prescription, they told me they could only write it for a certain brand. I was nervous about finding a good deal on the newer lenses, though. I made sure that if I decided after doing some comparison shopping that the new lenses were just too expensive, I could call the optometrist’s office and have them write me a new prescription for the old lenses. They said that would be fine.

Before I left the office, I had them price a year’s supply of contacts with my insurance discount and any rebates. The original price was $250 for a year’s supply or $62.50 per box. A 20 percent discount through my insurance would bring the total to $200.

There was also a $50 mail-in rebate for a year’s supply. However, I would need to mail in my receipt and proof of purchase, and then wait for a check. With discounts and rebates, the total would be $150 or $37.50 per box. Not great, but I guess it could be worse.

When I asked for my prescription, the manager of the optical office said I should let him know if I found a lower price. He said sometimes he’s able to match prices. Good to know, though I didn’t end up taking him up on it.

Next I checked at 1800-contacts.com (which  powers WalMart.com contact lens sales). I was not impressed at all. Their price was $50 per box. They offered an automatic $30 discount for a year’s supply, which would bring the total to $170 or $42.50 per box.

Today I checked Costco. The regular price was $32.25 per box. They also offered an electronic rebate of $20 for a year’s supply. The final price was $109 or $27.25 per box. That’s $90 less than I would have paid out of pocket at the optometrist’s office, and $40 less after all the discounts and rebates they offered.

For the record, I also priced my old lenses just for comparison’s sake. A year’s supply at Costco would have cost $112. So I actually saved $3 by going with the new, high-tech lenses. :)

It seems like a lot of money in a lump sum. However, since they’re monthly lenses, it works out to about $9 a month. It doesn’t seem too expensive when you think about it that way.

I feel bad for all those years that my parents ordered my contact lenses directly through the optometrist. Even with discounts and rebates, it’s usually just not the best deal.

I was also surprised to find out that 1800contacts isn’t as great a bargain as I thought. I think a lot of people order through them without shopping around, because they market themselves as the lowest-priced contacts dealer. 1800contacts were actually more expensive than the optometrist’s office, though. Just thought that was interesting.

Just remember, there’s almost always a better deal out there if you’re willing to do some leg work.

TGIF Round Up: Fighting a cold edition

Ugh. I don’t know why I’m surprised that I’m coming down with a cold. I haven’t been sick since October and we’re right in the middle of flu season, so I’m due. I just always feel so shocked when I start to get sick, like I can’t believe it’s happening to me.

Hopefully I’ll suffer the worst of it over the weekend. I hate to use my vacation time when I’m sick, and there’s nothing worse that working through a cold when all you want is to be in bed.

Being sick on the weekend is no fun, but at least I’ll have plenty of time to rest. I’ll park myself on the couch with the remote control and plenty of fluids. I guess the upside is I can skip the gym until I’m feeling better. :)

Here are my favorite reads from the blogosphere this week:

  • Mrs. Micah asks what kind of work is beneath you? Working in retail with thousands of dollars of student loan debt was no fun for me, but it helped me pay the bills. Honestly, though, I found that a lot of employers were wary to hire me if I was overqualified — they weren’t looking to hire someone who was looking for “something better” and might leave at any time.
  • Northern Cheapskate was looking to simplify her life, but decided that sometimes the extra work (and income) is worth the chaos.
  • Sense to Save reminds herself what motivates her to get out of debt. We all have our reasons, and it’s good to take a step back and remember them every once in a while.
  • Almost Frugal offers helpful tips for drastic frugality when there’s more month than money. I’m glad that we no longer live paycheck to paycheck, but I’ve certainly been there.
  • Being Frugal explains how budgeting provides freedom. I feel the same way! When I know exactly what I can spend, I feel more free to live my life without worrying if I’ll have enough money.
  • Frugal Upstate offers a handy guide for creating a budget in 5 steps. It really is that easy.
  • Being Frugal is Fabulous is enjoying the convenience and simplicity of meal planning for the first time. It can be a hard habit to start, but once you get into it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Now I just have to make it through the work day, then it’s off to bed for me. :( Happy Friday!

Avoiding unnecessary medical procedures that aren’t covered by insurance

A few months ago, I wrote about a surprise bill I received from my dentist. Even though my insurance covers X-rays, preventative exams & two cleanings a year, I received a bill for an extra X-ray that wasn’t covered. I decided to keep a closer watch on the procedures being performed on me in future visits and ask more questions about my insurance coverage.

Today I had an eye exam. Before the exam, the optometry tech asked if I’d like to have my retina scanned and photographed. The procedure would allow them to see underlying problems with my eyes. I asked if the procedure was necessary for someone my age, and she acknowledged that it probably wasn’t completely necessary, but that they recommend it for patients of all ages.

I was upfront with her. “I’m here for an eye exam and a contact lens fitting,” I said politely. “Can you tell me what my insurance will cover, and please let me know if you plan to perform any procedures that won’t be covered?”

The point isn’t to refuse all treatment that isn’t covered. I just want to know what is and isn’t covered so I can make informed choices about my health care.

I knew that my eye exam was covered, but I wasn’t sure what exactly that included. I also had a feeling that anything related to contact lenses would not be covered.

She looked up my information and told me what I already knew — the eye exam was covered completely, but the “contact lens fitting,” which is necessary to get new contacts, would have to come out of my pocket. That’s ok, because my employer offers an HRA, so I will be reimbursed.

She was surprised to discover that the retina scan was actually covered 100% if I elected to do it. Well, ok. If it’s covered, why not?

I’m glad I asked. If it wasn’t covered, I wouldn’t have wanted to be billed for it. I’m also glad I didn’t refuse the procedure without knowing. I want to take full advantage of my health insurance benefits.

Though the total cost of the exam was over $300, I paid $63. The contact lens fitting was $75, but I’m also a member of a vision discount plan in addition to my insurance, so I received a small discount.

I’m a little miffed about the high cost of the “contact lens fitting.” Basically, all it entailed was the doctor asking me if I’m comfortable with my current lenses, poking a new set of lenses into my eyes, and giving me a sales pitch about the new, more expensive brand. I have another appointment in two weeks, at which point he’ll ask if I like the new brand, give me another sales pitch, and finally write my contact lens prescription. It just seems like $75 is a little ridiculous for that. Whatever, though. I guess that’s the price I pay to wear contacts.

Consider being an active participant in your medical care. Always ask for more information about procedures and insurance coverage. It’s sad but true that many providers will push unnecessary services onto patients despite the fact that they aren’t covered by insurance.

Never refuse a necessary procedure just because you don’t want to pay out of pocket. Your health should always come first. Just be sure that you’re not paying out of pocket for a procedure that you don’t need.

photo by chrismar

Spending money to lose weight … is it worth the investment?

photo by nataliej

All over the blogosphere, I’ve been reading posts with very helpful ideas for frugal weight loss. I’ve even written on the topic myself (basic budgeting can help you lose weight without spending money). I once lost 40 pounds without a gym membership or any special equipment (though I did spend a fortune on convenient diet foods at the grocery store, but that’s another story). I absolutely agree that it’s not necessary to spend money to lose weight.

In the past few weeks, though, I’ve made a few investments in my health to make it easier for me to get in shape. I joined a gym, bought new running shoes, and added healthy snacks to my grocery list.

All of these decisions were pretty tough for me. The last thing I want to do is spend extra money if it’s not necessary. At the same time, getting back in shape is important for my health and my happiness.

When it comes to weight loss and frugality, everyone is different. Back when I had more free time, less stress, and a faster metabolism, these types of investments weren’t necessary to help me lose weight. The past 6 months have been a struggle for me, though, as I battle time constraints, a slowing metabolism, and the absence of expensive diet foods. I made the decision that if I was going to meet my fitness goals, I’d need a little help.

A little over a week into my fitness resolution, I’ve lost 3 pounds. I’m feeling healthier, working out every single night after work (with no painful blisters on my feed), and making healthier decisions about what I eat. I absolutely believe that the investments I made have made all the difference.

If you live far away from your support network, maybe joining a weight loss support group like Weight Watchers would be helpful for you. Maybe you work long shifts and investing in some convenience foods would help you eat healthier. You may have to make some sacrifices in other discretionary spending to balance your budget and reach your financial goals, but you can make it work. With planning and budgeting, it really is possible to have it all.

I’ve been careful not to go overboard, though. We haven’t dipped into our emergency fund to purchase fancy exercise equipment or spent a ton of money on a “get thin fast” diet plan. We also haven’t reduced our debt and savings contributions every month.

So far I’ve spent $20 for the first month of my gym membership, $40 on new shoes, and about $10 extra on groceries for the week (I’m working on reducing that). The shoes were a one-time investment, and I’m wearing them only to the gym to increase their lifespan.

Frugality is as much about balance as it is about budgeting. After weighing the pros and cons, I decided it was worth it to me to spend $30 a month on my health. I also determined that with a few cuts here and there, it doesn’t have to delay our savings and debt goals.

The bottom line is that you have to do what works for you in your budget. If there’s absolutely no room in your budget for diet aids, then you have to improvise. We have a little wiggle room, and I’d rather invest a little money in my health now so I’ll be more likely to live long enough to enjoy the money I’m saving for retirement. :)

Keep tabs on your health insurance claims

We’re all aware of the dangers of identity theft these days. Most people keep a close watch on their bank accounts, credit card statements, and credit reports to ensure they’re not being victimized. This week I had a scare that made me realize my credit report isn’t the only way my identity could be stolen.

A few months ago, I received a letter from my health insurance provider warning me that a recent claim had been denied. Aside from the fact that I hadn’t recently filed a claim, I was alarmed because I had never even been to the hospital where the claim was filed. It was also filed on a date before my insurance was even active.

I called my health insurance company, and they apologized and assured me that it was a mistake that I didn’t have to worry about. I tore up the letter and forgot about it.

Last week, I received another letter with the same message. Only this time, it was for a separate service at the same hospital two months later.

I called my insurance again. This time, they looked up my information and said, “Yes, I see a claim filed at _______ Hospital on August 15.”

It told them I’d never been to _____ Hospital. In fact, it’s not even located in the state where I live.

The woman on the phone verified my name and address, and said that yes, this claim had been filed in my name with my information. She also verified the second claim from two months before, the one that I had been assured was a mistake that I didn’t need to worry about.

“You’ll have to call the hospital and find out why they’re filing claims in your name.”

Um, no. “You’re telling me that it’s my responsibility to look into fraudulent claims? I don’t think so.”

When I said this to the customer service rep, she acted irritated and transferred me to the claim dispute resolution department.

Um, thnx. You probably should have done that in the first place, lady.

After verifying my information, I was put on hold while the dispute resolution rep called the hospital to find out why this was happening.

After 5 minutes on hold, I was relieved to find out that it was a clerical error after all. No one had filed the claim in my name with my information. Someone with the same last name and health insurance provider as me filed a claim, and it was accidentally put into the wrong file in the computer system. They corrected the error and assured me that I wouldn’t receive any more notices.

I’m confused how this could happen not once, but twice. But I’m relieved that it wasn’t an issue of identity theft.

From now on I’ll include my insurance claims information on my watch list. Because I rarely need medical care, I don’t check my insurance information very often. This error was in my file long enough that I started receiving nasty letters about it. It could have led to the denial of legitimate claims if I had a medical emergency at some point before the error was sorted out.

I plan to keep a close watch on my account in the future to ensure that there are no problems with my health insurance when I really need it.

The second most frugal way to buy contacts

The best way to save money on contacts is to wear glasses instead. You can get a great deal at online discount stores like Zenni Optical, and a good pair of glasses will long outlast your supply of contact lenses.

I’ve had the same pair of glasses for two years, and they’re still in great shape.

As much as I’d like to give up contacts, I just can’t get over my discomfort with glasses. My lenses magnify my eyes, making me look pretty silly. So I only wear my glasses in the evening and at home.

I have an eye exam scheduled for this weekend, and it’s time for me to order new contacts. In the past I’ve ordered them from the same place where my exam is done. This time, I’m doing some research to find a better deal.

Here’s what I’m doing to make sure I pay the lowest price possible:

I’m taking my prescription with me.

I’ll have my doctor write a prescription for my contacts so I can shop around online and in stores for the best price.

I’m checking prices everywhere.

I’m not thrilled with the prices at 1800contacts.com, so I’m checking prices at Wal-Mart, Costco, and other places to find the absolute lowest price.

I’m looking for online coupons.

There are a ton of coupons for online contact lens dealers. I’m finding the best ones so I can figure them into the online prices for a real comparison.

By shopping around, I’m hoping I can get a 6-month supply for $75. The best I’ve found so far is $100 for a 6-month supply. Hopefully I can do better than that!

Where do you buy contact lenses?

Maybe I was being a little too frugal

photo by hlakhani

I think I went a little overboard with my frugality. I know, it’s hard to believe that’s possible, but hear me out.

Last week, I made the decision to join a gym. For the record, I went with the 12-month commitment at $20 a month. Because we were already paying for the membership, I didn’t want to put any extra money toward my exercise budget. Even though I was primarily jogging, I didn’t want to spend money on new sneakers. So I pulled out the old pair I’ve had for 9 years.

My feet were killing me after every work out. At first I chocked it up to being out of shape. You’re supposed to be sore at first, right?

It was particularly painful Thursday night, though. I found myself limping on my way home. When I finally took off my shoes — excuse me for being too graphic — I found that my ratty old sneakers had drawn blood. Ouch.

When Tony saw what had happened, he was angry with me. “I thought frugality was about making smart choices with your money, not depriving yourself to the point of physical pain.”

He’s right. The frugal choice would have been to shop around and find a good deal on a good pair of running shoes. I shouldn’t be spending hundreds of dollars on sneakers, but I also shouldn’t be working out with old shoes that tear up my feet and threaten damage to my knees and other joints because they don’t offer proper support.

Last night, Tony and I went to several shoe stores. We found a reasonably priced pair of running shoes on clearance for $40 and used some of the Christmas money that I was going to put toward my gym membership to pay for them.

I was concerned about investing too much in working out because I was afraid of not sticking to it. Tony made a good point, though. Even if I don’t stick to it, a good pair of sneakers is a good investment. Most importantly, it’s an investment we can afford right now.

TGIF Round Up: Fresh new start edition

Weeks after vacations are always so long. We’ve been home since Saturday night, but we spent all day Sunday running around restocking our kitchen, unpacking, and taking care of errands.

A week and a half of travel including almost 40 hours of driving left me drained and exhausted. I’m looking forward to taking it easy this weekend.

Lots of New Year’s resolutions floating around the blogosphere this week. I hope you’re all sticking to your resolutions so far! I’m still committed to getting in better shape in 2009 – physically and financially. It’s only been a week, though. I hope this motivation lasts!

Here are my favorite posts from around the blogosphere this week:

Happy Friday everyone!

Frugal snacks to avoid mid-day cravings


photo by JenWaller

As I try to eat healthier, one of the biggest challenges for me is the office break room. Whether it’s a birthday cake, baked goods from a generous colleague, or treats from grateful clients, there is always something to munch on, and it’s seldom healthy.

Frugality and weight management go hand in hand. Unhealthy snacks are generally a drain on the grocery budget anyway, so I never have them around the house. Unfortunately, I can’t control what comes into the office break room.

In the office, I’m particularly vulnerable to succumbing to temptation. As the afternoon drags on, not only do I feel the urge to get up from my desk and do something to give my eyes a break from the computer screen (like snack), but I also feel increasingly hungry now that I’m eating smaller portions.

Two years ago when I lost 40 pounds, I ate six times a day — three small meals and three healthy snacks. Eating small portions frequently not only increases metabolism, but also helps me to avoid the temptation of unhealthy snacks — if I’ve never hungry, I’m not as tempted to eat unhealthy foods.

Unfortunately, adding snacks to my grocery list — even healthy snacks — will mean higher food costs, especially since we’ve cut virtually all extra snack foods from the budget to maintain lower food costs.

I wanted to avoid the extra cost, but now that I’m working out right after work and eating smaller portions, it’s a struggle to make it from breakfast to lunch and lunch to dinner without eating something in between. If I don’t plan ahead and bring healthy snacks, I’m more likely to eat the cakes and chocolates around the office.

Two years ago I filled my cart with pricey convenience foods, like those delicious (and expensive) 100 calorie packs and granola bars. Now that I’m living frugally, I can’t see paying that kind of money for convenience. Even non-convenience foods like fresh fruits and nuts are too expensive.

I spent some time brainstorming for snack ideas that won’t cost a fortune. Here are some of the options I’m considering:

  • Apple slices with peanut butter
  • A slice of bread with a tablespoon of peanut butter
  • Homemade granola with yogurt
  • Homemade apple sauce
  • Raisins
  • Fresh vegetables (purchased on sale)

Can anyone give me any good ideas for frugal healthy snack foods?