Charge for DSE Eye Test

Celtic67

Afternoon folks,

I had a strange issue this week and wanted to let people know about it to avoid a hidden charge and to see what people think.

I'm overdue my eye test, so booked one at my local Specsavers, where I've been previously. My previous employer just had me fill in a claim form, along with a receipt, to reclaim the cost of the test, but my new employer requires the opticians to sign a form. At the time of booking, I asked about this and was told it would be no problem.

When I arrived for my test, they asked if I had a coupon and I said no, but that I had the form to be completed, only to be told there'd be a charge of £10 for this.
I refused and left without the test and have now booked elswehere after having it confirmed that there'd be no charge to sign the form.

So first, beware of this charge if you're using Specsavers. Secondly, what are your thoughts on this? £10 isn't much, but I believe the idea is that my employer has to pay for the test as I have to use DSE equipment for long periods. This seems like a charge being passed onto me, mostly so the opticians can make more money out of this. I didn't ask my employer as the next optician I rang said there'd be no charge.

kirtondm

Depends on what the form is. If it is just a simple form no charge . if it was a form requiring lots of additional tests and time especially the HGV ones or flying ones I would charge. I would be less likely to charge for a private patient as would be part of the fee. For NHS patients we are more working to rule as so chronically underfunded.
Surely you would pay the charge then pass onto the employer?

Floss

Ask your employers for their voucher, then it is free for whichever opticians they have their contract with.

Celtic67

Thanks for the replies. Just a standard eye test, nothing unusual. The form asks for confirmation that I require glasses to use DSE and a signature or stamp.

Sorry, not sure what you mean by asking my employer for a voucher. They don't have a contract with any opticians, the process is that employees get their own eye test privately, get the form completed, then they reimburse us. I believe it's a legal requirement that they do reimburse us for the cost of the test, but suspect the cost for completing the form would not be covered.

PterionPterion

I guess filling out a form is more work than what the eye test payment covers. Might not be a great deal of work but if GPs can charge for vaccination certificates, travel documents, occupation forms then opticians will feel they can too. 

But as you say the legal requirement is to cover the cost of the eye test, wouldn't think they'd want to cover the cost of paperwork. 

General_Grant

Celtic67 said:

Thanks for the replies. Just a standard eye test, nothing unusual. The form asks for confirmation that I require glasses to use DSE and a signature or stamp.

Sorry, not sure what you mean by asking my employer for a voucher. They don't have a contract with any opticians, the process is that employees get their own eye test privately, get the form completed, then they reimburse us. I believe it's a legal requirement that they do reimburse us for the cost of the test, but suspect the cost for completing the form would not be covered.

Do you actually require glasses with a prescription solely for DSE work rather than reading?  If so that should be noted on the prescription provided and not require a separate form.  Employers are not required by law to pay for glasses other than those needed specifically for DSE work.  

Celtic67

I need glasses for both DSE work and reading, but it's not the cost of the glasses. It's that DSE workers are supposed to get "free" eye tests, but clearly aren't in some instances. Ah well. As with everything, we're free to shop around, which I have done.

My real annoyance with Specsavers was that they didn't tell me about this when I asked about completing the form, but waited until I was in the store. If I hadn't presented my form before the test, I'd have been hit with this without knowing. Not the biggest issue for me, but might be for others.