Buying contact lenses online offers significant advantages over traditional optometrist purchases, combining cost savings with unparalleled convenience. As someone who has worn contacts for nearly two decades, I’ve personally experienced the ease and affordability of online retailers. While 1-800 Contacts stands out for its return policy and customer service, other online vendors offer unique benefits, especially when it comes to using vision insurance. This guide highlights the best places to Order Contacts Online With Insurance, ensuring you maximize your benefits while enjoying the ease of online shopping. We’ll explore retailers that not only accept insurance but also simplify the process, alongside other crucial factors like variety, pricing, and customer support.
When you decide to order contacts online, having your prescription ready is essential. Most platforms allow you to upload or provide your eye doctor’s information for verification. It’s important to remember that expired prescriptions are not valid for purchase, as mandated by the Federal Trade Commission. Prescriptions typically last one to two years, varying by state. Many online retailers now offer virtual prescription renewals, adding another layer of convenience. In evaluating the best online contact lens retailers, we considered not just insurance acceptance but also lens variety, competitive pricing, shipping options, return policies, and the acceptance of HSA/FSA funds. Below are our top recommendations for where to order contacts online with insurance, tailored to different needs and preferences.
Top Online Retailers to Order Contacts with Insurance
1-800 Contacts: Best Overall for Insurance and Customer Satisfaction
Shipping: Free standard shipping, expedited options available | Return policy: Anytime returns, even opened boxes | Insurance Accepted: Yes, HSA/FSA | Virtual Rx Renewal: Yes
Pros:
- Unbeatable Best Price Guarantee
- Exceptional 24/7 customer service
- Generous return policy, reducing purchase risk
Cons:
- Price match verification can be time-consuming
For years, 1-800 Contacts remains my go-to for ordering contacts online with insurance, primarily due to their price assurance and customer-centric approach. Their Best Price Guarantee ensures you get the lowest price; simply demonstrate a lower price from a U.S.-based competitor to their 24/7 customer service. While price matching requires verification and might take time, the savings are often worth the effort. For more details, my 1-800-Contacts review provides an in-depth look.
Beyond pricing, 1-800 Contacts excels in convenience and service. Their ExpressExam offers a quick $20 virtual prescription renewal. They also offer free, fast shipping and an unmatched return policy—return unused contacts anytime, even from opened boxes or purchased elsewhere. They accept vision insurance, HSA, and FSA, making them a financially smart choice. Additionally, they own Liingo eyewear for glasses needs. Their customer service consistently proves to be accommodating and helpful, solidifying their reputation.
GlassesUSA: Your One-Stop Shop for Contacts and Eyeglasses with Insurance Benefits
Shipping: Free standard shipping, expedited options | Return policy: 60-day returns/exchanges on unopened boxes | Insurance Accepted: Yes, HSA/FSA | Virtual Rx Renewal: No
Pros:
- Conveniently purchase both contacts and glasses
- Frequent on-site deals and coupons
- Price Match Guarantee
Cons:
- No virtual prescription renewal
GlassesUSA is a strong contender if you need both eyeglasses and contacts and want to order contacts online with insurance. This retailer offers a broad selection of eyewear, including a vast range of contact lenses. Navigating their site is straightforward, allowing searches by brand, lens type, prescription needs, and budget. They also offer an Auto-Refill service for convenience. GlassesUSA accepts vision insurance and provides a Price Match Guarantee, although it’s less prominently advertised.
GlassesUSA stands out for its deals and discounts. Their sale section and coupon page are easily accessible, offering significant savings, like free eyeglasses (up to $150 value) with a contact lens purchase. However, they do not offer virtual prescription renewals.
ContactsDirect: Simplest Way to Use Vision Insurance for Online Contact Orders
Shipping: Free standard shipping, store pickup at LensCrafters | Return policy: 6-month returns on unopened boxes (less shipping) | Insurance Accepted: Yes, HSA/FSA | Virtual Rx Renewal: Yes
Pros:
- User-friendly insurance claim process
- Discounts for various groups (military, teachers, etc.)
- Frequent promotional offers
Cons:
- Shipping fees not refunded on returns
- Limited price matching policy
ContactsDirect is particularly notable for streamlining the process of using vision insurance when you order contacts online. Their insurance policy page clearly outlines accepted insurance providers and out-of-network options, with readily available customer service via chat or phone for assistance.
Savings extend beyond insurance at ContactsDirect. Their savings page lists ongoing promotions, including a 15% discount with code MYCONTACTS and similar discounts for military personnel, teachers, and first responders. They offer price matching with select competitors, and a $19 online prescription renewal is available at a discounted rate with code VISION10. ContactsDirect offers a comprehensive selection of lenses, including specialty types.
Hubble: Subscription Convenience for Budget-Conscious Insurance Users
Shipping: $4 shipping per order | Return policy: 14-day returns on unopened boxes (less shipping) | Insurance Accepted: No, HSA/FSA | Virtual Rx Renewal: Yes, free for subscribers
Pros:
- Low monthly subscription cost
- Affordable house brand lenses
- Free virtual prescription renewal for subscribers
Cons:
- Subscription commitment required
- Limited brand variety
- Shipping fee on every order
Hubble provides a cost-effective subscription model for ordering contacts online, especially beneficial if you’re using HSA/FSA funds but don’t have vision insurance. Their monthly subscription reduces upfront costs, offering house brand lenses from $23-$30 per eye monthly, including Hubble, Hydro, and SkyHy lines. While they do offer Acuvue, Bausch + Lomb, and Biotrue, their third-party selection is limited. Switching brands may require a new prescription as per FTC guidelines, unless opting for a generic equivalent.
Hubble’s introductory offers, like a 10-day starter pack for as low as $1 per eye (including shipping) for Hubble Classic Daily, are compelling. Subscribers also get a free virtual prescription renewal. While many retailers offer auto-ship, Hubble’s focus on affordability through subscriptions makes it unique, despite a $4 shipping fee per order and limited brand choices.
Contact Lens King: Bulk Buying for Maximum Insurance Savings Over Time
Shipping: $10-$13 standard US shipping | Return policy: 30-day returns on unopened boxes (less shipping) | Insurance Accepted: No, HSA/FSA | Virtual Rx Renewal: No
Pros:
- Significant per-box savings on bulk orders
- Transparent pricing structure
- Wide variety of contact lenses
Cons:
- High shipping costs
- Shipping fees not refunded on returns
Contact Lens King is ideal for those who order contacts online in large quantities, maximizing savings, especially when planning for insurance reimbursement cycles. While their shipping costs are higher ($10-$13), the per-box price reduction for bulk orders can lead to substantial savings over time. For smaller orders, the shipping might negate some savings, but for orders of six or more boxes, the value becomes clear. Their pricing is transparent, avoiding hidden fees common with some competitors.
Contact Lens King offers a standard online shopping experience with a broad range of brands and lens types, including options for astigmatism and colored contacts. They accept HSA and FSA funds but not direct vision insurance. While lacking features like virtual prescription renewals, their focus on bulk discounts and transparent pricing makes them a strong option for planned, larger purchases.
Warby Parker: Seamlessly Integrate Glasses and Contacts with Insurance Benefits
Shipping: Free standard shipping | Return policy: 60-day returns/exchanges on unopened boxes | Insurance Accepted: Yes, HSA/FSA | Virtual Rx Renewal: Yes
Pros:
- Comprehensive eyewear solutions (glasses and contacts)
- Convenient single-source purchasing
- Value-priced house brand lenses (Scout)
Cons:
- Frames limited to house brand designs
Warby Parker is renowned for affordable, stylish eyeglasses and extends this to contact lenses, making it ideal for those who use both and want to order contacts online with insurance. Known for their Home Try-On program, they also offer a broad contact lens selection including their house brand Scout, with free samples available.
Warby Parker provides competitive pricing, free shipping, virtual prescription renewals, and accepts insurance, HSA, and FSA. The unique advantage is the unified platform for all eyewear needs, particularly appealing to those who frequently switch between glasses and contacts. They also offer sunglasses and cross-product savings, such as a $50 eyewear credit with an annual contact lens supply purchase.
Walgreens: Drugstore Convenience for Contact Lens Orders with Potential Insurance Application
Shipping: Free standard shipping on contact lens orders | Return policy: Returns on unopened boxes with exceptions | Insurance Accepted: No, HSA/FSA | Virtual Rx Renewal: No
Pros:
- Reputable retailer with wide contact lens selection
- Add other drugstore essentials to your order
- Potential for retailer-specific promotions
Cons:
- Less eyewear-focused shopping experience
- Limited return policy
Walgreens offers drugstore convenience for ordering contacts online, although it lacks vision-specific features of dedicated eyewear sites. Purchasing from Walgreens provides competitive pricing, promotions, and the ability to combine contact lens orders with other drugstore items, with a “ship to store” option. Shipping is free for contact lens-only orders, or on orders over $35 including other items.
Walgreens offers a wide contact lens selection and often features savings promotions. Currently, they offer 25% off all contact lens orders with code CYBER25. Their return policy is more restrictive, accepting unopened boxes for incorrect orders, defects, or wrong prescriptions, with lenses needing to be in stock and unexpired. They accept HSA and FSA funds, adding payment flexibility.
Why Forbes Vetted Recommends These Online Contact Retailers
Forbes Vetted has extensive experience researching and reviewing eyewear and personal care products. Our editors are contact lens wearers themselves and understand the key considerations for choosing an online retailer. We prioritize retailers that offer a balance of variety, competitive pricing, convenient services, and strong customer policies.
How We Selected the Best Places to Buy Contacts Online
Our selection process involved evaluating popular online contact lens retailers based on several criteria: inventory variety, shipping and return policies, insurance and HSA/FSA eligibility, virtual prescription renewals, and customer service quality.
- 1-800 Contacts topped our list due to its comprehensive service, selection, and customer-friendly policies.
- We also included top performers from our best online prescription glasses list: GlassesUSA and Warby Parker, recognizing their quality contact lens offerings.
- We prioritized retailers that accept major vision insurance plans and HSA/FSA.
- We noted which retailers offer virtual eye exams for prescription renewals.
Key Considerations When Ordering Contacts Online with Insurance
Ordering contacts online is typically more economical and convenient than buying from an eye doctor. However, some factors require consideration, such as prescription verification and price comparisons. Here are essential points when choosing where to order contacts online with insurance.
Variety of Lenses
Ensure the retailer stocks your specific contact lens brand, particularly if you use specialty lenses like toric lenses for astigmatism. If you are open to alternatives, consider house brands like Aquasoft Dailies at 1-800 Contacts, Scout by Warby Parker, or Hubble’s lenses. Note that brand switching may require a new prescription (FTC), unless it’s a generic version of your current lens.
Convenience Features
Consider what conveniences are important to you. Options include virtual prescription renewals, combined glasses and contacts purchasing, bulk ordering, and subscription services. Our reviewed retailers offer various combinations of these features to suit different preferences when you order contacts online with insurance.
Shipping Costs and Speed
Shipping costs vary; factor these into your overall expense. While some offer free shipping, others charge fees. Hubble charges $4 per order, while Contact Lens King has higher shipping fees but offers bulk discounts.
Return Policies
Review return policies, noting timeframes and conditions (e.g., unopened boxes). 1-800 Contacts offers the most lenient policy, accepting returns at any time, even for opened boxes.
Price and Insurance Application
Pricing varies, and extremely low prices might indicate hidden fees or advertised rebate prices. Retailers with price match guarantees like 1-800 Contacts, ContactsDirect, and GlassesUSA offer assurance of competitive pricing. Always check for promotions to maximize savings when you order contacts online with insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ordering Contacts Online with Insurance
Is Ordering Contacts Online Safe?
Yes, purchasing contacts online from reputable retailers is safe. Our recommended sites sell the same brands as optical shops, often at lower prices due to direct sourcing and efficient operations.
Is It More Affordable to Buy Contacts Online Compared to an Eye Doctor?
Generally, yes. Online retailers often offer lower prices than eye doctors due to direct manufacturer relationships and lower overheads. Price matching and promotions further enhance online savings.
Can I Use an Expired Prescription to Buy Contacts Online?
No, a valid prescription is required to order contacts online, as per the FTC. Prescriptions are valid for one to two years, depending on the state. Virtual prescription renewals are available from some retailers for expired prescriptions. For example, 1-800 Contacts offers ExpressExam for a quick $20 renewal.
