One of the most underused aspects of Medicare in Australia is the comprehensive eye test entitlement. Every Australian with a valid Medicare card,from infants to seniors,is entitled to a bulk billed comprehensive eye examination at no out-of-pocket cost.
That means a family of four can all have their eyes professionally examined in a single afternoon visit to our Auburn clinic, paying nothing for the examinations themselves. Many families do not realise this, and continue to defer eye tests because of cost concerns that simply do not apply.
Who Is Eligible for a Bulk Billed Eye Test?
Any Australian who holds a valid Medicare card is eligible for a bulk billed comprehensive eye examination. This includes:
- Children of any age,including toddlers and infants, who can be examined using non-verbal testing techniques
- Adults up to age 64,eligible for a bulk billed exam every three years (or more frequently if clinically indicated)
- Seniors over 65,eligible for a bulk billed exam every 12 months
- Concession card holders,eligible for more frequent bulk billed testing regardless of age
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients,eligible for annual testing
- Patients with diabetes or other conditions where annual monitoring is clinically indicated
What Does “Bulk Billing” Actually Mean?
When an optometrist bulk bills, they accept the Medicare rebate as full payment for the examination. You do not pay anything, and there is no gap fee. The rebate goes directly from Medicare to the clinic,you never see the money change hands.
At Prime Optometrists Auburn, we process the Medicare claim on the spot using our PRODA terminal. You do not need to fill in forms or claim anything after the fact. Bring your Medicare card, and the exam is free.
What Is Covered,and What Is Not?
The bulk billing covers the comprehensive eye examination itself. This includes:
- Visual acuity assessment and refraction (determining your glasses or contact lens prescription)
- Intraocular pressure measurement (glaucoma screening)
- Anterior and posterior eye health examination
- Assessment of binocular vision and eye movements
- OCT imaging where clinically indicated (included in the bulk billed exam at Prime Optometrists)
What is not covered by bulk billing:
- Glasses frames and lenses,these are separate costs, though your private health fund optical extras may cover part or all of this
- Contact lenses and contact lens fitting fees
- Specialised tests ordered beyond the standard examination
We also offer no-gap glasses for patients with health fund optical extras,meaning in some cases, the entire visit, including new glasses, costs nothing out of pocket.
How to Make a Family Eye Test Day Work
Practical tips for bringing the whole family in:
- Book back-to-back appointments,call us on (02) 9761 0005 and let us know you are booking multiple family members. We can schedule them consecutively so the family comes in together.
- Bring every family member's Medicare card,without the card, we cannot bulk bill that member's appointment
- Bring current glasses,for any family member who already wears glasses, bring them so we can check the prescription against the existing correction
- Allow 25–30 minutes per person,our comprehensive exams are thorough. A family of four needs approximately 2 hours if booked back-to-back.
- Mention family history,if a family member has glaucoma, macular degeneration, or another hereditary condition, tell us at the start of each appointment so we can adjust the assessment accordingly
What About Health Fund Optical Extras?
Medicare and private health fund optical extras work together. Medicare covers the eye exam; your health fund covers glasses and contact lenses up to your annual optical benefit limit. We have HICAPS terminal for on-the-spot health fund claiming,you pay only the gap (if any) at the end of the visit, rather than claiming back later.
Most major health funds have annual optical benefit limits that reset on 1 January. Families with multiple children who all need glasses can make significant savings by claiming all at once before the benefit resets.
Book Your Family In
Prime Optometrists Auburn is at 43 Auburn Road, Auburn NSW 2144. We are open Monday to Friday 9:30am–6pm and Saturday 9:30am–5pm. Call (02) 9761 0005 to book multiple family members in one session,bulk billing for all eligible patients, no referral needed.