I am frustrated that I have to buy a new frame for my daughter every time her vision prescription changes. It costs much more (even after insurance rebate) to replace only the lenses and keep the old frame, than choosing a new frame-and-lenses package. My daughter likes her frame and doesn't wish to change them (she's only in primary school). The shop doesn't stock the same frame anymore, so to solved this they offered to reuse her old frame, but say they are supplying a new one to make it cheaper for us. In effect, the insurer and the optical chain has rigged the system so you must buy something you don't want, to get a bigger rebate that you didn't need. In our case we even supplied some of the material. This is like collusion isn't it? Because they are mutually benefitting from jacking up prices (the price of glasses and extras cover). They must have worked together to force their price points up to where they can maximally profit themselves.
Collusion between health insurers and optical chains
Comments
How did you guess?
Because they are the scum of the optical industry. In your case you are better off visiting an independent (non franchise) optician for lenses only.
Any health provider that is part of this "preferred provider" system is in an ethically compromised collusion with the health insurer.
(I've worked as one in my younger years.)
witch hunt
Go to a local optometrist. You might not get the entirety covered or a second pair, but they should be able to fit any frames with new lenses and will definitely do it cheaper than specsavers who only know how to give you two frames.
You can get lenses made up for you based on your prescription at many places (certain optometrists and lens dispensary places).
Whether or not this works out cheaper than in a high volume, packaged situation such as the one OP is describing is a separate matter.
And this is what happens under a private health care system that has been set up in the oligarchy to remove as much of your money as possible.
America gives us a preview of where this is headed: 30 million with no healthcare at all,
number one cause of bankruptcies amongst all Americans is health care which includes people who spent their entire lives enriching the health insurance industry by losing their money to it.After they're bankrupt they die due to lack of health care.
Get qualified and look for better paying jobs?
Yeah. Let's share the burden of my diabetes, hypertension, and all other health issues that really only affect me with other people who earn more.
It's a human right to share
fromwith others.Sharing. Because we care… about your money paying for my diseases.
The lenses are made offsite by other companies, with probably little margin for optometrist.
They must make most profit on the frames which seem to have ludicrous prices for a small bit of metal or plastic.Offsite or offshore?
There was a great article at LA Times that covers this. Basically, every suspicion you held about the eyeglass industry is true.
Thanks, a good warning in importance if competitive.
You're getting this worked up over a set of children's glasses that would have cost less than $200?
OzWhinge more like it.
$200 is not an insignificant amount of money for many people. And even if it were, it's a recurring $200 annual spend built into your private health insurance, when by all rights, should cost significantly less than that. How exactly is this 'whinging?'
My uncles cataract surgery cost $6500. Hip replacements cost $20,000. Dental check and clean $150 x2 per year. Cost to health funds and members. A bit of fluoride costs $0.50.
Most dentists don't even open weekends or extended hours for patient convenience. Also new replacements are cheaper than repairing. I found that out with my fridge and TV.
can you order from zenni.com?
reviews are very good. price is inexpensive.
Getting new glasses every year is one of the benefits of having PHI. Enjoy it.
Pay $1,000 to get $200. Enjoy it.
Change the policy if it doesn't provide the right cover.
Order them from clearlycontacts.com you can claim your rebate here as well.
Or if you want the old frames with new lenses there is a really nice old optometrist in Chatswood. He’s old school and has fixed glasses for me in the past, his name is:
William Rae 6/72 Archer st Chatswood (02) 9411 6017
He’s not connected to any large company he works for himself, give him a ring and ask for an estimate if you live nearby.You can take the frames to any optometrist to get lenses made.
I put a deep scratch in my OPSM lenses. OPSM wanted $350 to replace them. Big W with staff discount was $150. Costco was $100 which included backlight reduction and blue light filter. I paid for Costco membership and then got the lenses made. Easy as.
If you only want reading glasses Costco currently have a discount of $19 for three pairs, and they have rimless ones as well. Anything from 1.25 up to 3.00, from memory.
Is this specsavers?