The College of Optometrists

is it ok to withhold giving the patient a copy of their rx if they don't/refuse to pay for their eye test??? i've heard conflicting ideas on this topic so am very confused!!!

I always understood that you have to give it over what ever. There was an optom up before the GOC 3 or 4 years ago who withheld the rx on the grounds that it had not been paid for - I think she was fined £400. She told the committee she planned to hand it over after further tests. But they did not buy that argument.

If they refuse to pay - then you send in the baliff - but you can't make the rx conditional on payment. I don't think you can even get the test money up front.

You can refuse to test someone if they aint going to pay and you know this for sure.

You can indeed refuse to test someone who is refusing to pay.

However, if you do test them, you must by law hand the patient a copy of the results (not the DO) of the exam after the eye test, regardless of whether they pay you or not.

Mind you, small claims generally works to get your money. Good fun too.

I don't think you have to give a duplicate if they loose the orig though.

i heard you can charge for a duplicate

We charge £10.00 for duplicate rx.