Eye test & Prescription Help - Australians help pls

Question

Hi there,

I'm travelling to Melbourne next month to visit my Mother and Sister and wanted to get an eyetest at the same OPSM as I always have prior to moving to Tasmania - they have all my records. I moved 3 years ago and due to diabetes, have to get an eye test every year.

Last year when I went back for my eye test, the rather abrupt woman (one I'd never dealt with before) was a little disgruntled when I asked for my prescription at the end of my test and asked why I wanted it. Was a little embarrassed and felt put on the spot.

I felt bad as they had conducted the test but a friend said it's "my legal right to ask for my prescription" so I did.

I told the woman I just had to think over any purchases before commiting to buying any new glasses and quickly left.

I can't afford to buy glasses from OPSM, they're just too expensive, so I bought my eye glasses online and they're great (affordable too!).

Just wondering (as I don't want to run into hassles again or leave with an embarrassed red face) - Am I indeed allowed to ask for my prescription and am I obliged to buy OPSM's glasses (Australians) if I get my eyetest conducted there?

Also, with Medicare and my Disability Support Pension (blue card) will an eyetest be Bulk Billed - not cost me anything?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the silly question - I've just heard conflicting things about this issue.

Answer 1

You are not obligated to buy glasses from where you have an eyetest, I haven't in the past. It will not cost you anything as long as you have a medicare card. If you have a DSP you can get prescription glasses from around $65 for frame and lenses, give centrelink a call and they can give you more info.

Answer 2

Medicare covers the cost of the eye test and you will not have to pay for that and you have every right to that prescription and can get the glasses from whom ever you wish, OPSM does not have the legal right to withhold your prescription, it's yours.

Answer 3

You are absolutely covered for this unless you need special modifications to your glasses, like integrated bifocals, otherwise its free, the government will pay for your glasses every 2 years and you dont have to pay a thing, you just show them your medicare card and your dsp card they bulk bill, then you will have to take the prescription to a hospital or clinic run by the government, they process it and you should have your glasses at the eye testing facility within 4 weeks, have been on dsp wife for 16 years and neither of us have ever had any problems, maybe you should write a letter to opsm and state that whilst you prefer to go to them that your last experience was not entirely a friendly experience and you will go else where, just because we get them free, doesnt mean the government doesnt have to pay for them, so dont take any rubbish from receptionists, they are there to help you, not to make you feel bad, hope this helps you, goodluck! :)