VSP Vision Care

TLDR: Completely misleading website features push you toward out of network providers, so that VSP doesn't have to cover your services. Full Version: Let me preface by saying that every person I spoke with at VSP was friendly, and I believe they wanted to help but were unable to do anything for me. After years without vision insurance, I got a job that gives has VSP coverage. So, I do what ANY new patient would do; I got to the VSP website from my phone (this is important), sign up, log in, and then click "find a doctor". The website returns my local Costco Optical Center and so I call them to make an appointment. While on hold, the prerecorded message says that they now accept most major vision insurance. Perfect! I go to my appointment, get my eyes checked, come out to pay, and the optometrist tells me that they don't bill ANY insurance directly, but I should be able to be reimbursed for my appointment. So, I call VSP to start the reimbursement process, and they tell me that the optometrist at Costco is out of network, so rather than only owing the $40 copay I was expecting, I'm on the hook for $165 worth of my $210 bill. "But your website returned my local Costco Optical Center when I clicked 'find a doctor'. I booked my appointment by calling the phone number that VSP provided me. They said they accept most major vision insurance. How could I have POSSIBLY known that they were not 'in network'"? VSP's answer!? Optical Centers that sell glasses and contacts ALSO come up under the "find a doctor" tab on the VSP website. And there's a button labeled "more info" that ONLY appears if you visit the VSP website from a desktop computer, which gives you specific information about which services are covered, and which are not, at any given location. And you should really use a desktop computer ANY time you're doing something important like setting up insurance (this is me rolling my eyes). That took an hour on the phone to figure out. Then the rep tells me that I can file a grievance, after which in rare cases coverage exceptions might be made. Well of course I want to file a grievance. I want my eye exam covered! So, another hour on the phone, I file my grievance, and then I ask that rep when I can expect a fell reimbursement. "Oh, well, we don't cover ANY more than the standard out of network rate, BUT, if this is escalated VSP may choose to adjust the mobile version of our website to reflect the additional data about what services are covered at each provider, so that would be helpful, right"!? So, I guess "boo-hoo", because I went to an out of network provider for my eye exam. However, in my humble opinion, VSP's website, especially when viewed from a "smart phone" like 90% of people are going to do, seems geared to push the uninitiated in a direction where they are likely to choose an out of network provider. And that to me seems a little bit like a scam.

The worst insurance. Tried to reimburse sunglasses that I bought through Eyeconic.com, which is one of their in-network provider. Apparently, it's not covered because Eyeconic is not an in-network povider for non-prescriptive sunglasses although none of that stated in fine print of my policy. Sunglasses could only be claimed through in-network doctor's office, but I want to limit my travel unless necessary during this lock down. Waste of money and I surely won't extend my vision benefit with them.

STOP BY THE VSP VISION BOOTH at SHRM CHICAGO IF YOU WANT THIS COMPANY TO LAUGH IN YOUR FACE! (ask for Jesse Rulli) They will laugh at you and take your picture and share with others and laugh too! Not very professional .

I had a great experience with VSP vision care.

Outstanding customer service and care, couldn't ask for a better insurance company