FAQ for Children's Optical

Colorado Medicaid will pay for new glasses at any time as long as they are “medically necessary”. So if your child needs glasses and doesn’t have any, they are covered. This includes when they are lost, broken, stolen or otherwise unavailable to them. If your child has recently had an exam and a new prescription was given, the glasses are also covered. There is no annual limit, but there must be valid medical necessity for the child to get new glasses. Please note: if your child has CHP+ through Colorado Access, eyeglasses are covered only one time per calendar year.

Colorado Medicaid covers eyeglasses for members under the age of 21.

Our mission at Children’s Optical is to be sure your child always has the eyeglasses they need - but it’s also critically important that we follow the billing and usage guidance that Colorado Medicaid provides for its clients and providers.

Colorado Medicaid provides only for “medically necessary” eyeglasses when your child has a valid eyeglass prescription.

Appropriate medically necessity for new glasses:

• Child has a new or updated prescription and needs new eyeglasses.
• Child has no current eyeglasses. Glasses are lost or missing.
• Child’s current eyeglasses are broken or damaged beyond repair.

We cannot fulfill an order when the order does not demonstrate sufficient medical necessity. Orders will be cancelled for the following reasons:

• Child has a new pair of eyeglasses currently on order / out for delivery.
• Multiple pairs were ordered but child’s prescription doesn’t meet our medical necessity criteria for extra pairs.
• Prescription is expired or incomplete.

Yes! All of the eyeglasses you see on our website are covered in full. No copays or extra charges.

Yes! All eyeglass orders include polycarbonate lenses at no extra charge. Polycarbonate is thinner, blocks UV and is 10 times more impact resistant than traditional plastic lenses. It's the industry standard lens material for children's eyeglasses.

Kids seem to like to choose larger glasses. Try to avoid this if possible. Well fitting glasses don’t slide down, or off, as much and should cause fewer problems with fit. When selecting eyeglasses on our website, start with the appropriate sizing by age. If your child is a little on the larger size for their age - maybe browse the next older age category. If your child is smaller than average for their age - try shopping in the next younger age category. Notice also that each size category overlaps slightly with the next older and younger category.

Most eyeglass prescriptions will expire within 1-2 years. Some eye care providers will extend the eyeglass prescription for a short while after the original expiration. You’ll need to contact your eye doctor’s office to see if they’ll extend the prescription. Most doctors are
understanding and don’t want to leave a child without the glasses they need. But if the eyeglass prescription is expired - an eye exam ASAP is always a good idea.

Yes! At checkout you'll be prompted to choose a location for pickup - or you can just have them mailed to your door.

Yes! Many eyeglasses of the correct size don't need much adjusting to fit well. But you are always encouraged to come see us at any of our locations for fittings and adjustments. No charge!

Because of the importance of “hands on” bifocal fitting - we only accept orders for bifocal glasses in person at one of our Children’s Hospital locations.

Currently, our site only accepts Colorado Medicaid as payment. We plan to expand into other insurances and payment methods in the future. Stay tuned!

USPS 3-5 day shipping is free!

Processing and manufacturing will take about 5-6 days. Higher prescriptions will take longer (10-14 days) as they require special lab work. Please know when the glasses are complete and pass our quality inspection process, they’ll be mailed out immediately.