That was Thursday evening, and I happened to mention this to a guy at work. He told me to go to Gregory optical, they bill the insurance company direct. I also found out that we are only covered for $185.00.

We went to Gregory last night, and my eldest picked out some frames that she liked better than the ones at Lens Crafters. When the guy totaled up the price, it came to what I am covered for.

I usually shop around, I guess insurance made me a bit lazy this time. A chance conversation saved me about $50.00, not to mention the cash flow headache.

I just have to go to Lens Crafters and rescue her perscription, then shoot across town to Gregories, who will get ALL my optical business from now on.

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I often wonder if it's insurance coverage on drugs that have driven up prices; it makes for bad consumers, and the drug companies don't have to worry so much about offending the public.

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If I may be so bold as to do a book endorsement at this point..

David Hapgood in his book The Screwing of the Average Man (1975] asserts exactly this - that insurance companies help drive up the cost of consumer goods for the uninsured by doing what is called "third-partying" of the costs associated. If you have to pay for something directly, you'll shop around until you get the best price. But if someone ELSE has to pick up the cost, you're more likely to get lazy about what you purchase.

Each employee received a specific amount of money that could be used to pay for drugs, treatments, glasses, etc. The insurance company would monitor the pay out of money to avoid fraud and keep everything private.

If you wanted, you could spend all of the money on new prescription glasses and frames.