The College of Optometrists

My first patient today has an eyecare voucher which now includes dispensing like Duncan and Todd. I could tolerate Eyecare while we got some dispenses however is it now time to stop? How do other practices handle their patients who have Duncan & Todd or Eyecare sight test forms? Do you try and convert them or lose them or soldier on?

I stopped accepting eyecare vouchers 2 years ago, because to keep accepting a test fee below NHS rates was, I felt, an insult to myself.

I haven't come across these Duncan & Todd vouchers, but I doubt I'd accept them judging by what you are saying.

I have had these through for safety specs and have sent off paperwork to get the fee, but never got any cheque so refuse (i'm sure D&T do pay, but things can get lost in the post), I don't have time or inclination to chase after £15.00 so don't bother accepting these things

The payment is less than the NHS,+ Paper work,Stamps, Telephone calls, time to chase up payments,etc.

I stop using them, but you could charge admin fee, Dispensing Fee, delivery fee or professional fee on top.

I do get some of these and don't like the fees but some of the regulars do spend privately .. so the thin end of the wedge but can't refuse them. Never had a problem with payment.

I occasionally get Tecsafe Rx safety specs forms from a local employers employees.

There seems to be no set fee when claiming for dispensing or eye exams. It appears that I can put any figure I like in the Fees claiming section of the forms.

However , I know that my fees are passed through Tecsafe directly to the employer, together with Tecsafes bill for the Safety specs.

Obviously if my fees are too high , I will get no more Safety specs work though.

Anyone else out there using Tecsafe {or should I say being used by Tecsafe}. And if so What fees are you charging for the Eye exam, Single Vision ,Varifocal and Bifs dispensing fees.

Picasso, we tried charging patients the difference between Eyecare's fees and our fees - Eyecare Ltd discovered this and told us not to do it. We dropped them straight away!

We should all blacklist these plan operators until they atleast pay us the minimum NHS sight test fee. We're only helping their profits by accepting less. The grief is not worth it and i am sure we aren't inundated by their customers.

i converted their customers in the past and they didn't like it so i said tough to it and now also don't accept their vouchers. They are no better then the internet spec's traders.

Who is Eyecare Ltd run by?

Hi, Graham,

I don't care what the Eyecare or other companies voucher values is, I have my own professional fee ( the minimum is the NHS value)so the patients are aware to pay the diference. Most of them are happy to pay ( patients have the option). The company like eyecare vouchers,etc can jump!!!

this is accor they charge the firms about £19 per voucher and we get £15.05 so about 25% cut of the sight test.

Picasso,

In some of these schemes, if you read the terms and conditions, you are not allowed to charge any top up to their set fee!!! The best way to go is to stop accepting them, these companies are leeches, and as hitman suggests, we're hardly innundated by their customers!!!

AC,

I have stop accepting this vouchers, long time ago. It was a suggestion to Xavier and Graham.