Eye test cost for DSE user - separate to work healthcare?

KittenChops

Hi,
Just after some clarification...  I spend the vast majority of my work life on a computer.  My understanding is that my employer should bear the cost of an eye test, and should not redirect me to use the work healthcare scheme to pay for it.  Is my understanding correct?
Thanks

https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/eye-tests.htm

Andy_L

They do have to pay for it, but who pays for the work healthcare scheme?

General_Grant

KittenChops said:

Hi,
Just after some clarification...  I spend the vast majority of my work life on a computer.  My understanding is that my employer should bear the cost of an eye test, and should not redirect me to use the work healthcare scheme to pay for it.  Is my understanding correct?
Thanks

https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/eye-tests.htm

The employer has to pay for a test (and glasses if required specifically for DSE work but not if the prescription would be required for other use, eg reading).
They can tell you where to get tested provided they pay.
If you go elsewhere without their prior agreement, they are not required to reimburse you.

KittenChops

Andy_L said:

They do have to pay for it, but who pays for the work healthcare scheme?

I assume my employer pays for the healthcare, but it is a taxable benefit (I have no idea if that makes a difference?)

KittenChops

General_Grant said:

KittenChops said:

Hi,
Just after some clarification...  I spend the vast majority of my work life on a computer.  My understanding is that my employer should bear the cost of an eye test, and should not redirect me to use the work healthcare scheme to pay for it.  Is my understanding correct?
Thanks

https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/eye-tests.htm

The employer has to pay for a test (and glasses if required specifically for DSE work but not if the prescription would be required for other use, eg reading).
They can tell you where to get tested provided they pay.
If you go elsewhere without their prior agreement, they are not required to reimburse you.

I understand that, thank you.
My question is - if they say I should use the healthcare scheme to pay for the test, is that correct?

NBLondon

I don't think we can answer that without knowing what this healthcare scheme is...  If it includes eye tests then General_Grant is correct - they can insist you use their preferred provider of eye tests.

KittenChops

NBLondon said:

I don't think we can answer that without knowing what this healthcare scheme is...  If it includes eye tests then General_Grant is correct - they can insist you use their preferred provider of eye tests.

It's a 'cash plan' scheme, with a set amount for 'optical' claims (that includes eye tests, glasses etc).
I have no issue with my employer insisting I use their preferred provider, and already understood that before I posted.
Previous employers have provided healthcare schemes (not sure that they were cash plans though), but always offered a voucher for eye tests.

Jillanddy

KittenChops said:

NBLondon said:

I don't think we can answer that without knowing what this healthcare scheme is...  If it includes eye tests then General_Grant is correct - they can insist you use their preferred provider of eye tests.

It's a 'cash plan' scheme, with a set amount for 'optical' claims (that includes eye tests, glasses etc).
I have no issue with my employer insisting I use their preferred provider, and already understood that before I posted.
Previous employers have provided healthcare schemes (not sure that they were cash plans though), but always offered a voucher for eye tests.

But they have now told you that this is the way they do it, so provided it doesn't cost you anything more then this is the way they do it. My employer does the same, although the contract the work to a single chain of opticians.

KittenChops

Jillanddy said:

KittenChops said:

NBLondon said:

I don't think we can answer that without knowing what this healthcare scheme is...  If it includes eye tests then General_Grant is correct - they can insist you use their preferred provider of eye tests.

It's a 'cash plan' scheme, with a set amount for 'optical' claims (that includes eye tests, glasses etc).
I have no issue with my employer insisting I use their preferred provider, and already understood that before I posted.
Previous employers have provided healthcare schemes (not sure that they were cash plans though), but always offered a voucher for eye tests.

But they have now told you that this is the way they do it, so provided it doesn't cost you anything more then this is the way they do it. My employer does the same, although the contract the work to a single chain of opticians.

They haven't told me anything as yet, because I haven't asked them.
I'm more than willing to admit I was wrong, if it's correct that by providing the healthcare, it covers their obligation to pay for an eye test - which is the question I'm asking.
As I said in a earlier post, previous employers have provided both healthcare & (upon request) a voucher for an eye test - which is why I've assumed (perhaps incorrectly!) that I shouldn't have to use the healthcare to pay for an eye test.

Jillanddy

KittenChops said:

Jillanddy said:

KittenChops said:

NBLondon said:

I don't think we can answer that without knowing what this healthcare scheme is...  If it includes eye tests then General_Grant is correct - they can insist you use their preferred provider of eye tests.

It's a 'cash plan' scheme, with a set amount for 'optical' claims (that includes eye tests, glasses etc).
I have no issue with my employer insisting I use their preferred provider, and already understood that before I posted.
Previous employers have provided healthcare schemes (not sure that they were cash plans though), but always offered a voucher for eye tests.

But they have now told you that this is the way they do it, so provided it doesn't cost you anything more then this is the way they do it. My employer does the same, although the contract the work to a single chain of opticians.

They haven't told me anything as yet, because I haven't asked them.
I'm more than willing to admit I was wrong, if it's correct that by providing the healthcare, it covers their obligation to pay for an eye test - which is the question I'm asking.
As I said in a earlier post, previous employers have provided both healthcare & (upon request) a voucher for an eye test - which is why I've assumed (perhaps incorrectly!) that I shouldn't have to use the healthcare to pay for an eye test.

Sorry - I had assumed from what you said that you had asked them the question since you said that they shouldn't redirect you to the healthcare scheme, which sort of implied that they had responded to a question. So, you haven't asked them the question, but you are asking us? 

KittenChops

Jillanddy said:

KittenChops said:

Jillanddy said:

KittenChops said:

NBLondon said:

I don't think we can answer that without knowing what this healthcare scheme is...  If it includes eye tests then General_Grant is correct - they can insist you use their preferred provider of eye tests.

It's a 'cash plan' scheme, with a set amount for 'optical' claims (that includes eye tests, glasses etc).
I have no issue with my employer insisting I use their preferred provider, and already understood that before I posted.
Previous employers have provided healthcare schemes (not sure that they were cash plans though), but always offered a voucher for eye tests.

But they have now told you that this is the way they do it, so provided it doesn't cost you anything more then this is the way they do it. My employer does the same, although the contract the work to a single chain of opticians.

They haven't told me anything as yet, because I haven't asked them.
I'm more than willing to admit I was wrong, if it's correct that by providing the healthcare, it covers their obligation to pay for an eye test - which is the question I'm asking.
As I said in a earlier post, previous employers have provided both healthcare & (upon request) a voucher for an eye test - which is why I've assumed (perhaps incorrectly!) that I shouldn't have to use the healthcare to pay for an eye test.

Sorry - I had assumed from what you said that you had asked them the question since you said that they shouldn't redirect you to the healthcare scheme, which sort of implied that they had responded to a question. So, you haven't asked them the question, but you are asking us? 

Correct, I haven't asked my employer - I thought I would ask here first, because I assumed (again, perhaps incorrectly!) that it was a pretty black & white question...
For context, my previous employers have been huge multinational companies, with almost faceless HR departments.  Now I work for a very small local company and I would prefer to know what their obligation is before I ask.