Are Bulk-Billed Eye Tests Cost-Effective?
From a small kid to a retired person, everyone needs to take frequent eye tests or eye checkups to have healthy eyesight. There are several eye tests that a person needs to have to cover all the areas, ranging from change in vision to any eye disease. The age factor and any family history of eye disease also play a vital role in the number of tests. If someone starts to calculate the amount needed for just a comprehensive eye checkup, then it is going to burn a hole in their pocket. Healthcare is not cheap at all. In such cases, bulk billed eye tests came into the scene to save a lot while having healthy eyes and eyesight.
Frequency of eye tests
The number of eye tests and how frequently one should go for a comprehensive eye test depends on many factors. The most prominent among them is the age factor. Babies born with proper eyesight don’t need frequent eye specialist visits till 3. After that, until their teens (around 20 years), one should visit twice or at least once a year for a comprehensive eye checkup. The frequency will depend on how the food, nutrition, screen time, environment, sun, and any other factors are affecting the eyesight and vision. Getting eyes checked from time to time not only keeps up with the power of the eyes but can track any eye disease like glaucoma from starting, leading to its treatment at an early stage.
During adulthood, it depends on eye concerns. If everything is okay and vision is fine, then one visit in two years is considered enough. But, if someone faces any eye concerns like reduced vision, dry eye, itching or any diseases, then the frequency of visits and comprehensive checkups is decided by a specialist. A similar situation goes with a person with a family history of eye disease, one visit per year is necessary. People above 60 should visit for comprehensive eye checkups at least once per year. An important point to note is that the frequency of visiting for eye checkups can be easily changed on the advice of an eye specialist. Bulk-billed tests are the best option in any cases described above. Always be prepared for the eye test before going to the doctor.
Cost-effectiveness of bulk-billed eye tests
There are various places where the government has introduced many schemes to ensure better healthcare for their citizens. In Australia, the government has introduced Medicare. This allows their citizens to use bulk-billed tests for their comprehensive eye checkups, which cost them nothing or less. This will make people more conscious about their eye health without thinking that the bill will be heavy in their pockets.
A Medicare registered health professional can treat health care card holders and pensioners and bulk-bill them. People above 65 years are eligible for bulk billed tests (comprehensive) every year. But anyone under 65 can avail of bulk billed eye tests once in 3 years. Apart from bulk-billed eye tests every 3 years, Medicare will pay the cost if there is any vision change, any symptoms of new eye disease or previous eye disease. Age-related eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration need more frequent visits. In such cases, a small part of the fee is taken care of by Medicare. Having a bulk-billed eye test is the best and most cost-effective way to get a comprehensive eye checkup.
