OPSM Direct vs. Clearly Contacts for Contact Lenses

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?

Related Stores

OPSM Direct
OPSM Direct

Comments

  • +1

    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

    • Cool, thanks for that. Have added opsmdirect to the contact lenses wiki.

    • you also trigger a discount if you choose MBP as your insurance online

      You're right. The price of $252 came down to $214.20 after discount, and that makes it quite a bit cheaper than clearlycontacts even after my 12% founder level starthere cashback! Both had free shipping.

      So prices for 1 year Acuvue Oasys were:

      OPSM direct - $252
      OPSM direct with MBP discount - $214.20

      Clearly Contacts with $10 off coupon (DELIVERY10) - $249.92
      Clearly Contacts with 6% Starthere cashback - $234.92
      Clearly Contacts with 12% Starthere cashback - $219.92

  • When did MBP stop recognising Clearly Contacts? I haven't made a claim for a few months now but I recalled successfully using the provider number they gave me.

    • I tried a couple of months ago, only realised the problem when the invoice didn't have a provider number. Fortunately, they let me return the goods and issued a full refund.

      • Does the provider number need to be on the invoice? I think they have never disclosed that on the invoice but if you ask them they will tell you the provider number to use.

        • I did ring up to confirm at the time, they said that they were currently having 'issues' with MBP. I asked to be notified once they regained recognition from MBP but never heard, so I'm guessing they didn't get re-instated.

        • +1

          I have just checked with them. They only work with AHM, Aust Unity and NIB.

        • Thanks for checking! I'll update the wiki.

          If you're with MBP - might find that it ends up cheaper like in my case.

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