Have you ever gotten an eye test specifically for contact lenses? I approached a couple of different optometrists today and they wanted to charge me between $35 -$40 out of pocket that could not be claimed back from health fund or covered by medicate. I just wanted an update of my current one which was done around 1.5 years ago.
A few years ago this used to be covered during a regular eye test and I just got the prescription - can people pls provide their experience for updating contact lens prescription.
Contact Lens Prescription Charges Not Covered by Medicare or Health Fund
sagrules on 02/01/2015 - 20:13
Comments
When did you get yours at specsavers?
October
Changes from 1 January 2015 have removed the cap on fees for optometrists, they are now able to charge what they like.
Read more here:
http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/1BC94358D4F276D3CA257CCF0000AA73/$File/201501-Optom.pdf
My optometrist is charging $40, of which $28.45 will be rebated through Medicare. They told me it's been kept very quiet by the government…..I know I hadn't heard about it until I saw signage duringd December.
That is really sneaky to do this. The optometrist was behaving like this fee has been ongoing for a long time. How did you find out about the Medicare rebate?
My optometrist had a sign in store explaining it all. I had a test done late December and had no idea of the changes. Their sign said the rebate was $28.45, and they told me from 1 Jan they'd be charging $40. There were a few categories of exception I believe, over 65's, those with specific eye conditions etc. Basically they will be targeting the everyday joe's who get their tests done every 12-24 months. Fantastic.
From my understanding, Medicare doesn't cover for contact lens consults unless you're very short sighted/long sighted, with high astigmatism and a few other conditions. And they only pay the item number once every 3 years.
Just get normal eye test then ask for contact lens script. I was going to get some glasses but my script did not change too much. I always ask for contact lens script and they give it to me from spec savers. I usually say i'm going to order online from spec savers and they are fine
Yes that is what I did. But they only gave me the glasses script not contact lens ones because it was too different from my current one. I wouldn't of wasted my time there if I knew that would be the outcome.
Go to any optometrist and say you want a free contract lens eye test. Tell them if they don't give you one you will go elsewhere to one that does and the optometrist who gives you the free eye test will get your contact lens business.
Often they'll give you one as all optoms know contact lens wearer's are the most valuable customers. You guys buy contacts, solutions, sunglasses, and frames.
If you do that then you have to buy the contact lenses at that optometrist and pay higher prices when you normally can get them for 1/2 the price online
It seems to be at the optometrist descretion - but specsavers seems to still do it free of charge. Thanks guys for all your comments.
Just had my contact lens script free from specsavers
Specsavers - free