Has anyone tried to recoup costs using an insurance policy? Experiences, thoughts, ideas???

I bought contacts online and recouped the cost via my insurance (VSP). It was very easy. I assume their process for glasses would be the same (it reads the same). I just had to fill out a form and provide a copy of my reciept. I'm allowed something along the lines of $100 per year in eyewear (whether it be contacts or eyeglasses is up to me). Not nearly enough for glasses and contacts (I wear both depending on the day and activity I'm doing) each year, but maybe at the online prices I can pull it off.

I'm curious about this too. It's often nice to just let the people at the optometrist's office handle the paperwork. But I wear contacts, so it might make sense to use the insurance allowance for those, and then buy $50 glasses online. Given that my deductible is $25, anyways...

None of these shops are contracted with VSP or other insurance providers -- ie, the shops aren't "in network." This means that, at most, you can only get what your insurance will reimburse you for shopping out of network. I got $50 back on the $100 pair by submitting a claim to VSP. It's a pretty easy process (just fill out a form, send in a receipt).