Has anyone been recently to Costco for an eye test and bought new glasses.
I have a $200 Health Insurance benefit for glasses and always go to Specsavers as I get a bulk billed eye test and then 2 for $199 range which works out perfect. I don't want to book with Costco if this blows my health benefits out.
I just feel like Specsavers have the same old same old range of glasses and looking to try elsewhere.
Just go to Specsavers for your eye test and then ask for a copy of your prescription. That way you can shop around for glasses.
Eyebuydirect
Costco. I had been using Specsavers for decades but found my last two pairs were very poor quality and the service meh. I bought a pair glasses from Costco and had multifocal lenses put in them about 5 years ago and I still use them, albeit not as much as my readers. I recently bought two pairs of glasses from Costco and they are much better quality than Specsavers although they did cost more.
Not sure if you are aware however Costco have their glasses made in the US, the turnaround is about 2 weeks but no Australian input besides the sale.
The eye test at Costco is bulk billed, same as Specsavers.
Basically everywhere bulk bills eye tests, you can go anywhere to get one.
I don't have PHI so I just buy cheap ones online after that.
Basically everywhere bulk bills eye tests
This is not true
Where doesn't?
Some private practices. Not your franchise optical factories like specsavers.
Even without a healthcare card?
Yup, Medicare covers one eye test every 3 years for everyone under 65. I think it’s once a year with a healthcare card.
I believe it's one eye test every year.
I've been getting an eye test every year (for the past 4 years) , and it's covered by Medicare.
How much do glasses cost at Costco?
depends on what you getting..
and whether you buy the 50-pack or 100-pack…
I go to Specsavers. But only because the alternatives seem even worse.
You get your eye test. Then the sales people try to get as much money out of you as they can. Yes, I know that's the job of sales people, but eye tests are medical services, and going to the doctor and getting a prescription doesn't involve the pharmacists trying to empty your pockets. Medical services are supposed to be different. They're supposed to be doing what's best for the patient.
And it didn't help that I now even have to doubt the professionalism of their optometrists. Had changed medication. Had vision issues. Went to the Specsavers optometrist and asked whether it was the medication. Was told it was absolutely definitely just getting older, and gave an elaborate medical explanation of why it wasn't the medication, I needed new glasses. Told them I'd get back to them. Changed medication back. Vision problem disappeared. Got letter from Specsavers asking why I hadn't bought new glasses when their optometrist said I need them. Told them in no uncertain terms.
Specsavers also annoy me that they think everyone wants "fashion" frames. That is, overpriced because some personality I'm supposed to know gets paid to put their name on them, and ugly. They offer special deals. But somehow my glasses always seem to cost a lot more.
I've never been unhappy with the quality of the glasses, but I always leave Specsavers feeling that my pockets have been picked.
Might be a Specsavers thing.
I go to OPSM and their sales staff are never pushy for a sale. They are also great when you pop in and need a bit of aftercare with your glasses or have any questions. I have to admit they are on the higher side but have no issues with the many pairs of glasses that I have. I’m lucky that I have good optical coverage on private health so most times my glasses cost me nothing.
I find OPSM and some other places aren't keen to give you the full script - ie they give you a summary so it's harder to go somewhere else. I'm not sure that is entirely within the legal and spirit of Medicare.
Also my experience with the kids is that it can vary from one practioner/place so there obviously isn't a lot of care taken with your eye test.
I've been told that some optometrists, particularly Specsavers near me, are very reluctant to give the script too.
From what I understand this is not legal though as the service has been paid for, by Medicare.
Once I have a script I wait for a sale and buy from Zenni.
Couldn’t agree more.
Came to this thread hoping that the ozb had it all worked out in terms of how to cut out the middleman. You can see there’s a lot of overhead at the retail stores. I’m sure that the optometrist consult would be cross subsidised by the glasses sales ie Medicare wouldn’t be paying nearly enough. And we know the rents for these places would be astronomical, not to mention the sales staff wages.
So what is the solution? Eyebuydirect? Zenni?
If claiming through private health insurance, make sure it has the optometrists provider number, as well as medicare item number. Specsavers quite often don't provide thorough receipts, so the claim gets rejected..
Claims at Specsavers are processed in their store.
I worked for a Major Private Health Provider (dealing with International workers and students), and I saw a few Eye test claims etc rejected, as the receipts had little info as far the correct provoder number and item number.
Specsavers