Children face eye-test delays as optometrists say they are not being reimbursed by HSE

Under the scheme children get a free eye test and a voucher towards glasses if needed. Picture: iStock

Children requiring eye tests funded by the HSE are facing delays because optometrists say they are not being reimbursed and can no longer afford to offer treatment.

In some cases practitioners are waiting on thousands of euro in fees, which is unsustainable, a leading optometrist has warned.

The scheme allows children to have a free eye test and if necessary receive a voucher worth up to €150 towards payment for glasses.

Optometry Ireland immediate past president John Weldon told the Irish Examiner  that delayed payments of "multiples of thousands of euros" are a huge issue.

He said in his area of Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon “to the best of my knowledge, none of my colleagues who have been engaged with this over-8s scheme have yet been properly paid for their work". He has been in touch with the HSE and the Department of Health but remains unclear where the delay lies.

John Weldon said delayed payments of 'multiples of thousands of euros' are a huge issue.

One mother in the East of the country told of her shock after visiting her local optician.

“They told us they could not honour the voucher because they haven’t been paid for the vouchers by the HSE since April,” Rachel told Joe Duffy's RTÉ radio programme.

They have been trying since May to contact the HSE over and over again but had no correspondence back from anybody.

In her case, she receives vouchers for up to €200 towards glasses.

“It can add up to a lot of money that some families might not be able to afford," she said.

An optometrist, Bronwyn, based in Leinster, also phoned in to say she has not been paid.

She said when she declined a voucher on Monday, the client asked the HSE what to do and was advised to try another optometrist.

Optometry Ireland recently raised concerns about this scheme, including that the service does not exist at all in some counties.

No formal agreement

Referring to Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon, they said “payment has not been received for services since last September as the person who was in charge of the scheme left their role and there is no formal agreement in place". They also raised concerns about the differing contributory costs being asked of parents.

They found that in some areas parents “pay a €22.51 top-up fee, whereas in other areas parents must pay a full fee which can range from €30 upwards”.

They also said: “Children requiring complex glasses are entitled to €150 towards these in some areas, while other areas either have no voucher, or a voucher to a maximum of €51.” 

The HSE was approached for comment.