Buy Sunglasses Using Optical Extras from My Private Insurance

I have private insurance a limit of $300/yr for Optical extras coverage. I don't have an eye problem but would prefer to have a blue light filter glasses.

Is there any way I can buy sunglasses using those Optical cover? I believe there has to be a prescription to claim the expenses so I was thinking of using Specsaver's 2 for 1 offer so I can get a prescribed Blue light filter glass and another sunglass for free.
Appreciate if anybody have any suggestions.
https://www.specsavers.com.au/special-offers/2-pairs-from-19…

Comments

  • +1

    Three hundred dollars? Ray-bans? "To keep brain from freezing"?

    • Nah I'll just make it $299 so Smithers doesn't suspect a thing.

    • Woah, you're not Jimothy..

  • +1

    The 2-for-1 offers are limited to single vision lenses without options. You can include a blue light treatment with the Ultraclear Superclean lens option for $70.

    • -1

      They didn't have this as an option but I need to check with my insurance if the extras would be covered or not.

      • I assume you saw this from Specsavers?

        • Just checked, "No evidence exists to suggest that normal environmental exposure to blue light, including those from digital screen technology, causes damage to eyesight."
          I'm mainly after maximising the use of my annual extras limit :)

          • @anamul: They'll gladly help in-store with your private health cover, something they're doing every day. I prefer to pay myself to earn the credit card points, then claim back from my insurer later.

            • @sumyungguy: Interesting, will pay them a visit. Thanks for the suggestion. I might use my HSBC debit card for 2% cashback

  • so the 2 for 199 is for the frame and lenses, anything like antiglare coating (strongly recommended) or sunglass tinting are considered extras. Considering purchasing online that provides HICAPS code as they are much much cheaper.

    You should also understand how your private insurance works, there is flat cover where they will cover as much as they can or they will cover a set item up to a limit.

    • You are right. Specsaver allows sunglasses option for free but an extra $100 for Polarised glasses. I need to check if the extras need to be out of my pocket.

  • Book a visit with an optometrist at Specsavers, get a prescription with 0% correction, profit.

  • +2

    My cousin (doesn’t wear glasses)had the same thought to get blue light glasses, and sunglasses at Specsavers recently via their private health. So he got an eye test, and they found out he has a low level short sightedness.. so he ended up needing to get glasses

    I laughed at him because as an Asian, it’s quite rare to have perfect vision as an adult, and he used to boast about it

    • I do boast about it with my Mrs. She'll have a laugh too if the optometrist finds something wrong.

  • +4

    are you sure your eyes are perfect? not even slight astigmatism?

    My power is 0 in one eye and 0.25 in the other so barely anything, but have slight astigmatism so wearing glasses just makes everything….sharper. Like I'm going from 720p to 4k.

    This could be one way of getting some sunnies - if there's even a slight prescription in them.

    • Booked an appointment already. I hope there's nothing.

      • Might be surprised, I never wore glasses until 2019 (about 30 yo) thinking my eyesight was fine, despite staring at a screen all day for work. Never been tested since I was a kid.

        Finally got tested on gf's insistence so at least can tell if eyesight is changing over the years and yeah such a small level of prescription made a surprisingly large difference

        • Back from Specsaver, touch wood everything is good :)

        • The Optometrists however gave me -0.25 and suggested I use the antiglare coating if I’m using computer in the evening for longer time. Says it’ll feel better.

  • +1

    I was given 0.25 in one lens just to be able to claim on private health. Not all specsavers will do it though so might need to look around.

    Also didn't need glasses and just wanted to utilise private health, I was after blue light filter as well but was recommended the antiglare instead for screen use.

    • Same here :)

  • +2

    Go to private glasses / sunnie shops and ask around ;)

    Otherwise, ask your mates

  • Specsavers makes sense if you're wanting cheap prescription glasses as the RX is included in the overall cost (minus coatings etc), but most of the frames are honestly junk.
    If you're paying prescription cost but want just sunglasses, it'd be a massive rip off in my opinion. Also, the lenses are crap, probably no better than budget online places.

    People justifiably hate luxxotica (OPSM, sunglasses hut) but nothing at specsavers reaches their level of quality. Some of the $199 and up pairs look and feel like they should be sold at a servo. As sunglasses, they are not worth $100 each with the 2 for 1 deal.

    • +1

      Yes specsavers are a ripoff. Avoid them like the plague.

      • I asked them about Luxotica brands and they doesn’t sell them at Specsaver. She cautioned me about going somewhere else since prescription glasses are a lot expensive in her opinion.

    • As a person with private health extras, I get new specs every year for minimal extra out-of-pocket so I'm no longer bothered by junk frames and cheap lenses. I don't think you can re-glaze your high quality frames economically anyway.

      • That's great it works for you but I'd rather not wear something for 16hrs a day that doesn't fit properly (their staff generally are suboptimal at fitting in the initial buying stage or when doing adjustments) or have poorly made lenses (they only use an iPad to measure pupillary distance which is not as effective as the scanning machines higher end places use that scan your eye position in relation to the frames).

  • +1

    Is there any way I can buy sunglasses using those Optical cover?

    Only if you get a prescription…

  • Wait for a sale, Specsavers often do 20-30% lens options, or free polarisation. Get them to do a quote with any current deals and then wait for eofy deals.

    • They're doing 2 for 1 and a 50% off lens option on top. I wish they had Luxottica frames.

      • +1

        2 for 1 is all the time, the 50% off is a good deal

  • +1

    Smaller shops, optometrists can make that work. Don't wear glasses but have been getting sunnies for the last 2-3 years for family and myself. Usually not much out of pocket, about $50-80 in some cases.

    • Thanks for the suggestion. Will try that.

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