Had to get some new contact lenses, and found out that clearlycontacts.com.au is no longer a recognised provider for Medibank Private. I was able to claim last year, but it looks like Clearly Contacts have somehow 'lost' their recognised status with MBP.
As the lenses I was using (Acuvue Advance) have been discontinued in Australia (but is still being sold by ClearlyContacts for some reason), I thought I might as well get the eyes checked and get some trial lenses for the newer Acuvue Oasys. I went to a local OPSM and they were very helpful and fitted me with some trial lenses free of charge. The optometrist there actually told me that their in-store prices for lenses are not as cheap as opsmdirect.com.au, even though they are shipped from the same headquarters. Unlike my old optometrist, she wasn't unhappy at all that I opted to order online, since she said it doesn't make any difference to her.
Doing a price comparison, 1 year supply of the lenses turns out to be cheaper at opsmdirect compared to clearlycontacts. OPSMdirect provides receipts that are recognised by Australian Health Funds:
http://www.opsmdirect.com.au/health-funds.html#.UIkkmVGbHlo
Given that the prices are so competitive, and straightforward to claim from health funds, I see no reason to not support a local business.
Has anybody had any experience ordering from opsmdirect.com.au?
yep, always get 1year supply from them. you get your invoice that you need to claim with the shipment, not with the initial invoice
very cheap, having a chat to my opto (opsm), he was saying that it is cheaper to buy online EVEN when there was that $100 cashback for buying a year supply of contacts instore. worked out something like $340 vs $250.
MBP has always covered me for $200 for a year supply, bout $50 for a year supply of contacts, you also trigger a discount if you choose MBP as your insurance online