Prescription glasses, frame and Medibank Private

Pumpkin_rrr on 27/09/2016 - 10:24

I notice that in the last 3 years my eyesight has been deteriorated a lot, and need new glasses every year. So I get one pair of distance glasses, and one pair of sunglasses, for free, thanks to Medibank Private.

This is the crazy part: after one year the frames are still perfect. However, the shops wont just replace the lens, well they do but I'll have to pay for it. They are willing to give me free PAIR of glasses instead. Say what you like, my husband says "this is how it works here", but I think it is insane and not quite sustainable. The shop people tells me because it's hard for them to fit the lens. But hang on, when I pick up a new frame, they'd still need to fit the lens. No??

Rant over.

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • nafe on 27/09/2016 - 11:22
    +1

    What shop are you talking about? Are you going to one specified by Medibank?

    I have no issues when buying frames and then getting lenses separately from OPSM, nor from my previous optometrist. They have to grind the lenses to fit whatever frames as you said. So what they are saying is complete horseshit.

    • Pumpkin_rrr on 27/09/2016 - 11:35

      Of course I went to one specificed by Medibank, that's how I got 2 pairs completely free.
      Did you have to pay for the frame and lens separately?
      I went to most of the big ones, OPSM, Specsaver.
      Just rang a small operator, waiting for reply now.

      • nafe on 27/09/2016 - 12:07

        If you're getting them for free then I'm not really sure of what the problem is. Most people would be happy to get both frames and lenses for free?

        I claim my frames at the end of the year, and lenses at the start of the next. I'm with NIB and they allow a claim purely for frames and one purely for lenses. I only get glasses every second year.

        • Pumpkin_rrr on 27/09/2016 - 12:55

          My problem is I have two perfectly good frames that cannot be used.

        • nafe on 27/09/2016 - 15:47

          @Pumpkin_rrr:

          There are charities which collect old glasses to be repurposed for the needy, I have done this in the past for my old glasses which were still salvageable (a few have not coped well lol)

        • Pumpkin_rrr on 27/09/2016 - 15:57

          @nafe: Yes there used to be one near us in the big shopping centre. Unfortunately they stop collecting now… I suppose if I look harder Rotary Club for instance might do it….

  • mooney on 27/09/2016 - 14:22

    I can answer this.

    The new pair you buy are not from the shelf, the frame you try on in store is not usually the one you walk away with. You get a fresh pair which is warehoused in the lab (where the lenses are made) and they are assembled there and sent to your store.

    In addition, whilst your one year old frames may be in perfect cosmetic condition, it can be quite stressful on a used frame to remove and add new lenses, leading to a percentage of frames that break, so again its not a preferred option.

    Thirdly (usually this is nothing to do with the optometrists) your health fund may make a contribution to your complete pair based upon a combination of lenses and frames, if you only select lenses you might not get the full rebate amount (this depends upon your specific health fund) leading to out of pocket for you.

    There are about 20 other reasons but these are the most common.

    Enjoy your free pair, I suggest to keep your old ones in your bedside table :)

    • Pumpkin_rrr on 27/09/2016 - 14:51

      Many many thanks Mooney, you made my day! I wish I have asked this question months ago. I can now do away with my guilt and conscience, and happily order another new pair(s).

      • mooney on 27/09/2016 - 21:35
        +1

        My absolute pleasure. :)

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