Help - Prescription Sunglasses - How Best to Claim with Bupa?

tunzafun001 on 19/04/2024 - 16:16

Need help…I'm about to dip my toe into the prescription vision world. It's a mystery…

I basically wear sunglasses most of the day at work, but starting to struggle to read small fonts up close (need to hold them away further).
In the sports field, so regularly take an impact to the head (ball), so need some hardy frames.
I've found Oakley frames and lenses the most hardy for impacts. Not so much for scratches. But tried other brands and broke the frames under a week. Did 4 in a month!

Just signed up to Bupa Wellness extras (has optical cover). So plan is to get a pair of Oakley Holbrook (looks like they are called RX in the prescription world, and slightly smaller).

Had a look on the Bupa optical website…and they are kidding themselves. Around $550+ for a pair (looks like Oakley frames with their own entry level lenses).

Tried Vision direct online…same deal, half the price.

Do I go to Bupa for an eye test, then upload my prescription to Vision Direct? or is there somewhere even better? or should I avoid Bupa Optical all together and go elsewhere for the vision test?

Then claim as much back from Bupa as I can ($250 I think), then anything extra on tax?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Comments

  • CodeXD on 19/04/2024 - 16:19

    Most places will do bulk-billable eye test once every three years if you have a medicare card, I think with bupa PHI you can do it early (double check your policy).

    I'm also with bupa and got my eye tested at specsavers with no charge. Will be the same at costco, or even bupa optical.

    https://www.visiondirect.com.au/p/health-rebate/

    • tunzafun001 on 19/04/2024 - 16:32

      Yeah, the eye test is a Medicare item.

      But just wondering if you say, get it done at Bupa, are you going to be locked into buying from Bupa optical?

      Ideally I just want my prescription emailed out, then I take it to wherever I want to get the glasses. Can't believe Bupa are at least double the price, and Vision Direct was my first search hit!!

      Also, are say, Bupa optical as good as anywhere else? or are they like a fast food chain of optical testers (ie. a standard sales person chucks you on a machine that spits out a number, vs someone who knows what they are doing and does it manually)?

      Only get one crack every 3 years, want to get it right!

      • PeterA07 on 19/04/2024 - 16:39
        +1

        But just wondering if you say, get it done at Bupa, are you going to be locked into buying from Bupa optical?

        No.

        Also, are say, Bupa optical as good as anywhere else?

        Yes. It does not matter.

      • CodeXD on 19/04/2024 - 16:47

        But just wondering if you say, get it done at Bupa, are you going to be locked into buying from Bupa optical?

        No, the eye test is completely separate to the bupa optical claim, it is provided by medicare. Even if you don't have private health insurance you can get bulk billed eye test as long as you have medicare. You can get your eye test done at anywhere and there is absolutely no obligation to buy glasses from them.

        Only get one crack every 3 years, want to get it right!

        Looks like you can get it done every 2 years if you are with bupa PHI and go to bupa optical

        https://bupaoptical.bupa.com.au/blogs/eye-test/eye-tests-and…

        While all optometrists and optical stores are different, Bupa Optical won’t charge you any more if you need additional eye tests – even if you’re under 65. In fact, we’d recommend everyone has a test at least every 2 years (or more regularly if your optometrist recommends it).

        Once again, even if you get your eye tested every 2 years from bupa optical, you do not need to buy glasses from them.

      • jv on 19/04/2024 - 20:04

        and does it manually

        and you think manually is better… 🤣🤣🤣

  • jv on 19/04/2024 - 16:40
    -2

    I basically wear sunglasses most of the day at work

    Do you have a bright future there?

  • bobokingdom on 19/04/2024 - 16:43
    +1

    Go and shop around, most optical shop can claim prescription glasses on the spot. BUPA will be reimbursed any purchased from overseas OR no prescription lenses involved. The optical shop will be able to tell you whether you can claim back the expenses BEFORE your purchase.

    • tunzafun001 on 19/04/2024 - 16:46

      Cheers, can you just clarify this part for me …

      "BUPA will be reimbursed any purchased from overseas OR no prescription lenses involved."

      • bobokingdom on 19/04/2024 - 17:02
        +1

        Opps, sorry, BUPA will NOT reimbursed non local (e.g. any overseas online optical shop) purchases. I was overseas and broke my glasses, I went to a optical store and got a new pair of glasses. I tried to claim it through BUPA but it was refused. Also, they won't cover cosmetic lenses (e.g. non prescription sun glasses which helps to protect strong sunlight).

  • 87percent on 19/04/2024 - 17:22

    Never mind..

  • freefall101 on 19/04/2024 - 17:47

    Then claim as much back from Bupa as I can ($250 I think), then anything extra on tax?

    Make sure you can claim from Vision Direct (their website says you can, but make sure with Bupa), but you can't claim anything extra on tax.

    With the eye test itself, Bupa bulk bill it to medicare - same as pretty much everywhere else (and glasses store or optometrist who tells you they bulk bill). You can go to any, whether you have insurance with them or not, and they'll generally do it. They won't be happy, but they'll do it.

    • tunzafun001 on 19/04/2024 - 17:57

      Why can't you claim the difference on tax? Say $600 prescription sunglasses, $250 claimable via Bupa. $350 should be claimable, no? (Unlimited amount for sunnies in my industry according to the ATO website)..

      • jv on 19/04/2024 - 20:07

        You can't claim a deduction for prescription glasses or contact lenses, even if you wear them while working. These are private expenses.

        • Dollar General on 19/04/2024 - 20:21

          Depends if they are classified as protective;

          Protective sunglasses include prescription sunglasses, photochromatic and anti-glare glasses.
          To claim a deduction, you must be able to show that wearing them:
          has a direct connection with your work duties
          protects you from the real and likely risk of illness or injury while at work.
          You only claim a deduction for the work-related use of the item

          https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deduc…

          • tunzafun001 on 19/04/2024 - 20:32

            @Dollar General: Yep, under protective clothing for me.
            Prescription sunglasses @jv ;)

          • Jono05 on 23/04/2024 - 13:50

            @Dollar General: Oakley are not classified as protective glasses. So no you can’t claim them as a tax deduction.

  • Stewardo on 19/04/2024 - 20:05

    Once you have your prescription your better off buying from vision direct or clearly contacts online. Much better value. Don’t fall into the, “I’m paying for the insurance I’m going to claim the maximum even if I have to pay a bit on top” trap

    • tunzafun001 on 19/04/2024 - 20:41

      The lowest possible lenses via vision direct ($269) will still blow the full amount with Bupa anyway ($250 cap)…but again, Bupa Optical..$550 (no idea if the lense quality is any different).

  • paulpavs on 20/04/2024 - 09:53
    -1

    My 2c as i also wear lots of prescription sunglasses and prefer Oakley's.

    If going down the private health path find out when your yearly anniversary is with bupa. If its calendar year (like most of them) i wait for the boxing day sales and buy then from somewhere like OPSM who stock and sell Oakley's. At the time scan your card using the $x rebate as the deposit.
    When you pick up your new glasses scan your card again in the new year and youve just used 2 years of rebates on 1 pair of glasses (or 2 if you tske up the 2nd pair at 50% off).
    The balance can be paid with discounted gift cards.

    • tunzafun001 on 20/04/2024 - 11:30

      Nice tip… exactly the OzB insight I was lookng for.

      OPSM the only place that has a 'deposit' option?

      • paulpavs on 20/04/2024 - 12:10

        Not sure but have been doing this for years and works a treat.

        I tend to go to opsm as i can physically try on the glasses/styles and do the above. Im sure you could get cheaper online but support/warranty and trying on stuff might be challenging.

        And another 2c… Oakley's are amazing and well worth it. Tried spec savers and raybans but found the Oakley's cleaer and much more suitable.

        • Tily on 20/04/2024 - 20:50

          Use Oakley prescriptions when I’m onsite for work. Can confirm they are great and I get them from OPSM as well. I also have Ray Bans and other brands from PHI. I can claim a lot more at OPSM from my PHI and they give discounts on lenses for my provider.

          One option is definitely to use two year’s worth of limits for one pair. Mine rolls over so have done that before.

          Another option with Oakleys is to get your frames from DFO and just get the lenses done at the shops. I BYO my own frames often and have not had any issues.

          The last pair I got in Jan was online via OPSM, the frames were 50% off, this meant that my lenses were 50% as well. This will work with any brand frames as long as they are on sale. I ended up getting transitions with Burberry frames for about $300 only and all paid via PHI. My prescription also changed between ordering and getting the glasses, I was able to return them and ordered a new pair with no issues.

      • holdenmg on 20/04/2024 - 13:45

        I'd also mention:
        Accidental damage to frames or lenses
        https://www.opsm.com.au/eyewear-protection-plan

        • tunzafun001 on 20/04/2024 - 13:48

          Interesting T&Cs.
          Fine line between accidental lense damage, and a normal scratch.
          Also, accidental lost not covered..so I guess you purposely throw them off a boat to be covered!

  • Mechz on 20/04/2024 - 12:40

    I buy my frames online, wherever has the ones I want for a good price.

    Then go get eyes tested at Bupa and get them to do the lenses.

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