Optometrist Refused to Do Eye Test Because I Can Only Do One Test Every Two Years

Lmapleleaf on 27/08/2020 - 17:13
Last edited 27/08/2020 - 17:27 by 1 other user

My story:

I always get a new pair of prescription glasses every year as I have private health insurance, always been to the same store to get my eyes tested before getting the new pair of glasses. I have done this for the past 10 years. The eye tests are medicare bulk-billed.

This year when I went to the same store, the optometrist refused to do the eye test, she mentioned that I can only do one test every two years… The last time I did one was one year ago. I was a bit confused, maybe she was right and medicare has changed the rules?

On my way out, I thought about my partner, who just had his eyes tested a few days ago and had no issues, he also gets his eyes tested each year. I decided to ask the store manager just to make sure, he told me a different story and said that there was no reason why I should not have my eyes tested just then as the test is bulk-billed and that the optometrist was wrong. He apologised for wasting my time for coming in and asked me to make another appointment…

Anyways, I just found the whole situation very bizarre, I later found out the optometrist who refused to do the test was the new owner as well.

Has anybody been refused a medicare bulk-billed eye test by an optometrist because it was too early?

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • contrafibularities on 27/08/2020 - 17:16
    +5

    I had the same experience and was told that Medicare would only cover 1 test every 2 years. I’m sure if you wanted to pay for the test yourself the optometrist would have happily conducted it, so I doubt it’s correct to say they refused.

    • AustriaBargain on 27/08/2020 - 17:47

      I just go for another after I get the reminder message or email. The pressure keeps building in my eyes so my eye tests are not fun anyway, they touch my eyeball with this ink dropper thing and it sucks.

  • kahn on 27/08/2020 - 17:17
    +19

    Has anybody been refused a medicare bulk-billed eye test by an optometrist because it was too early?

    Yes, you.

    • AdosHouse on 27/08/2020 - 17:27
      +1

      LOL.

    • lunchbox99 on 27/08/2020 - 17:46
      +4

      Pack up everyone. There is no more to see here today.

    • bdl on 27/08/2020 - 18:35
      +1

      I see!

    • zombrex on 27/08/2020 - 21:56

      So smart and hilarious…

  • PissLUR on 27/08/2020 - 17:19

    they can still get part payment if you did an annual checkup. just not the full amount. try another optometrist.

  • Quantumcat on 27/08/2020 - 17:19
    +2

    I've never had a problem getting an eye test every year

  • Hybroid on 27/08/2020 - 17:20
    +5

    The government has introduced Medicare changes that affect how often you can have a bulk-billed eye test:

    If you are under 65 years old, you will now only be eligible for a bulk-billable eye test once every three years.

    https://www.opsm.com.au/eye-care/benefits/bulk-billing

    Eligible Medicare card holders aged under 65 years of age can claim the cost of a standard eye test on Medicare once every three years

    https://www.canstar.com.au/health-insurance/eye-test-cost/

    • shaybisc on 27/08/2020 - 17:22
      +3

      When was it changed to 3 years? No date on that OPSM page.

      • Hybroid on 27/08/2020 - 17:25

        No clue, not eligible for Medicare and never had an eye test. They must have sent updates to people though.

      • Dumax on 27/08/2020 - 17:27
        +2

        It was changed back in 2015

    • AustriaBargain on 27/08/2020 - 17:48

      Wait if your optometrist keeps trying to convince you to come back every six months for checks, will medicare cover that?

  • shaybisc on 27/08/2020 - 17:20
    +1

    Once every 2 years bulk billed HAD been the rule for yonks.

  • Dumax on 27/08/2020 - 17:23
    +17

    A "comprehensive" consulation can only be bulk-billed (10910) once every 3 years. Alternatively they can bulk-bill as a "subsequent" consultation (10918), although this is worth approximately half of the comprehensive rate. The rule regarding 2 years between tests is actually the old item (10900) and changed a few years ago.

    What you will find is that most Optometrists will actually bulk-bill you, even at the lower rate, regardless of the situation simply because they want customers to come in and spend money on new glasses. However, the choice to bulk-bill or not is completely at the discretion of the practice.

    • PissLUR on 27/08/2020 - 17:28

      THIS

    • AustriaBargain on 27/08/2020 - 17:49

      I find it helps to not tell them you're just going to order glasses from a Chinese website until after the exam is complete. In fact wait until after you ask the sales person what your pupil distance is.

      • thatonethere on 27/08/2020 - 17:53

        Yeah they like to whisk away the specifications pretty quick. I nearly had them assault me when i took a photo of my daughters glasses specifications even after paying for them.

  • garetz on 27/08/2020 - 18:11

    Get a new optometrist.

  • Bisah1342 on 27/08/2020 - 18:21

    I've literally taken eye tests every 6 months from specsavers / oscar wylee lol

    • Mechz on 27/08/2020 - 19:50
      -1

      Why do you waste their time and government money on useless tests?

      • Bisah1342 on 27/08/2020 - 19:56
        +2

        have significant eye conditions that mandate tests so often at the very least.

    • mjwills on 28/08/2020 - 09:33

      In many cases (e.g. you aren't eligible) they will eat the cost of the test since they know you will buy the glasses there. At least, that is my experience.

  • 87percent on 27/08/2020 - 18:22

    Spec savers will literally eye test you everyday if you wanted. I asked this to them when I got my eyes tested earlier this year

  • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2020 - 18:27
    -1

    The first step is admitting you have a problem

  • bdl on 27/08/2020 - 18:36

    Just test the left eye one year, and the right eye the year after

  • mapleleaf on 27/08/2020 - 19:42

    the store I went to was actually a Specsavers. Afterwards, I went to a different store and got my eye tested, no issue at all, the other store said as long as you think your vision has changed, you can come and get it tested bulk-billed as many times as you like, there's actually no limit.

    I think the Specsavers optometrist refused because she was behind schedule, I waited nearly half an hour for my appointment only to be told that I can't do the eye test…. and the store manager kept apologising to me and said that the optometrist was in the wrong and to come back another time.

    • HA on 27/08/2020 - 22:38

      If you put a complaint through their online feedback form they take it quite seriously.

      • try2bhelpful on 28/08/2020 - 08:40

        That is what I would do as well. However, it sounds like you have found a new Specsaver store anyway. I don’t see how going back would help. If the optometrist was, also, the owner then I can’t see how things will change.

  • nephilim on 27/08/2020 - 19:44

    OPSM send our yearly reminders, proof we just got a reminder letter.

  • TIPME on 27/08/2020 - 22:27
    +1

    Under 65 once every 3 years or 65+ once per year. However, it is their professional opinions and usually base on the individual clinical needs which they can recall their patients in 3, 6 or 12 months. If it is an urgent eyecare need they will see you anyway.

  • PerfectShopper on 28/08/2020 - 10:59

    Sounds more like a Centrelink thing. You get an eye test every two years and two free pairs of glasses. Many people don't know this.

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