Question 1

Why don't you accept vision plans like VSP or EyeMed?

Accepted Answer

Vision plans like VSP and EyeMed are not traditional insurance — they are retail benefit programs designed around a high-volume model that reimburses providers a fixed, low fee per visit. In practice, this creates pressure to move quickly, limit testing, and steer patients toward specific frame and lens products that generate the plan's revenue. We believe that model is fundamentally at odds with the kind of unhurried, thorough care we've built our practice around.
What we do accept is medical insurance — including Tricare, Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicaid, and UnitedHealthcare, among others. Because Dr. Lamoureux and Dr. Sanborn perform a complete medical eye health examination at every visit, your exam can typically be billed through your medical plan rather than a vision plan. Many patients are surprised to find their out-of-pocket cost is comparable to or less than their vision plan copay.
For eyewear, we are happy to provide you with an itemized receipt that you can submit to your vision plan for out-of-network reimbursement — many plans will reimburse a portion of your frame and lens costs.
We're always happy to help you understand your coverage before your visit. Give us a call at (860) 445-4412 and we'll do our best to answer your questions.

Question 2

How often should I have an eye exam?

Accepted Answer

For most adults we recommend a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, depending on your age, overall health, and any existing vision conditions. Children and patients with conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of eye disease may need to be seen more frequently. Your doctor will always recommend a recall interval tailored to your individual needs at the end of your visit.

Question 3

Do you dilate eyes at every exam?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily — a retinal evaluation is an important part of a comprehensive eye health exam, but whether dilation is performed at every visit depends on your age, health history, and the findings during your exam. Some patients benefit from dilation at every visit while others may not require it each time.
At In Focus Eyecare we are proud to offer Optos retinal imaging as an alternative or complement to traditional dilation. Both are effective means of evaluating the health of your retina, and each has its own strengths depending on the clinical situation. One of the most valuable aspects of Optos imaging is its ability to capture a detailed photographic record of your retina that we can reference and compare from visit to visit — allowing us to detect even subtle changes in your eye health over time that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Optos imaging is available as an optional add-on to your exam for an additional fee and is not covered by most insurance plans. Your doctor will be happy to discuss whether it is the right choice for you at your appointment.

Question 4

Can I get a copy of my prescription?

Accepted Answer

Yes — your prescription belongs to you and you are entitled to a copy at any time. We will always provide it to you automatically following your exam, and if you need another copy down the road simply give us a call or stop by and we'll have one ready for you.

Question 5

Can I bring my own frames to have lenses made?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We are happy to fit lenses into frames you already own and love. In fact, one of the advantages of choosing In Focus Eyecare is that we operate a full-service optical lab on site, meaning we cut and finish lenses right here in our office. This is something many practices simply cannot offer — most send their work out to remote processing labs, resulting in longer wait times and less control over the final product. Our in-house capability means faster turnaround, greater precision, and the ability to make adjustments on the spot.
We do ask that you bring your frames in advance of your appointment so we can inspect them for any damage or wear that might affect the fitting. Please keep in mind that older or fragile frames carry a higher risk of breakage during the lens insertion process, and while we take every care, we are unable to accept responsibility for pre-existing damage. If you have any concerns about your frames, our team is happy to assess them before you commit.

Frequent Asked Questions

Why don't you accept vision plans like VSP or EyeMed?

How often should I have an eye exam?

Do you dilate eyes at every exam?

Can I get a copy of my prescription?

Can I bring my own frames to have lenses made?