optical benefit

kline64

hi my daughter has to get new glasses i brought her to the place she always go so they have her records , my question is is she entitled to a free eye test & would i get anything back on the glasses she picked out , shes a teenager with a medical card, i asked when we were there & the woman seemed to brush it of saying shes a teenager now & the medical place doesnt really give you anything now & changed the subject . I havent paid for them yet

Balagan

Sounds like the place you go to may not have a contract with the HSE. See below for what is covered under medical card at optometrists with HSE contracts and how it is processed.

Medical Card Scheme
(Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme – Health Service Executive (HSE))

This scheme, which is for Medical Card holders, provides free eye examinations for qualified applicants through contracted optometrist practices throughout the country. One claim every two years is permitted unless there is a clinical reason for a more frequent examination.

It also provides for a limited range of spectacles at no charge.

All applicants must obtain approval in advance from the Local Health Office that issued the Medical Card, this is usually the one covering the area where they live. Service may be obtained from any optical practice which has a contract with the HSE. As the HSE operates in excess of 32 authorising units around the country the period taken to obtain approval can vary considerably. The HSE contract with participating optometrists indicates that it should not be more than 4 weeks.

Medical Card holders seeking optical services will obtain assistance at the optometrist practice of their choice. The staff will explain the scheme and will provide assistance in completion of Forms.
http://www.optometrists.ie/pagecarrier78.aspx

kline64

hi the place she goes to is well known & when she first got her eyes checked & glasses a few years ago they gave me a form to fill in & send away which i did & got a refund from the HSE so they are part of the scheme ,can you only claim once from them ?

Balagan

kline64 wrote: »

hi the place she goes to is well known & when she first got her eyes checked & glasses a few years ago they gave me a form to fill in & send away which i did & got a refund from the HSE so they are part of the scheme ,can you only claim once from them ?

You can claim once every 2 years and, if there are clinical reasons, you can seek permission from the HSE for more frequent claims. Perhaps it was not clear she was on a medical card and they didn't make prior application to HSE? Talk to them about it.

kline64

Hi they know that she has a medical card but shes to go back to them on sat. so i will ask again ,thanks