Free eyecare for low-income over-60

A PROGRAMME has been launched to help pensioners on moderate incomes afford the glasses they need.

The Optique Solidaire association behind the “Pass Lunettes” scheme says many older people neglect their eyesight because of the costs of opthalmologists’ (eye doctors) eye-tests and of glasses.

Opthalmologists often charge much more than the basic tariff on which reimbursements are based, and state refunds for glasses are minimal.

They have therefore launched a scheme which allows for opthalmologist visits at basic tariff plus 11 models of fully reimbursed glasses. It is aimed at over-60s who claim the Aide à l’aquisition d’un Complémentaire Santé (ACS), a benefit helping those on modest means to pay for a top-up healthcare policy.

In France it is necessary to see an eye doctor for a sight test and a prescription for glasses from an optician unless you saw one less than three years ago and:

 You are replacing the glasses with no change in prescription strength, or

 There is a change in prescription and the doctor did not state any opposition to an optician doing a test and changing the glasses’ strength.

An opthalmologist visit is usually reimbursed at 70%, based on a basic rate of 28 (ie. 18.60), however they may in fact charge much more than this. Adults’ glasses are reimbursed at only 1.70 for the frame and from 1.37 to 14.72 for the lenses depending on strength.

Optique Solidaire is a partnership between healthcare and insurance professionals. You apply to your top-up insurer, who will send a certificate to present to eyecare professionals. The conditions are:

 To be claiming ACS from your Cpam. This is aimed at people whose incomes are above the ceiling for the CMU-C, but by no more than 35% (the CMU-C is free healthcare, for those on the low incomes). The ceiling for all combined income is currently 10,711 for a single person or 16,067 for a couple (56.99 or 99.74 per month is added to your income total if you live in your home free of charge).

 To have a top-up health insurance policy (ie. helping cover the parts of medical costs not reimbursed by the state). The new scheme is beneficial because these often do not provide a substantial top-up when it comes to eyecare. Your provider should also feature in the list here: www.optiquesolidaire.fr/complementairessante. However if it does not, it is worth checking with yours anyway.

Optique Solidaire spokeswoman Marie-Claude Bessis said: “There’s a big national campaign to raise awareness with all of the top-up providers, as we would like them all to take part. Eyecare is very badly reimbursed and the people concerned fall between two stools - they are quite poor, but not enough to have the CMU-C. Opthalmologists’ fees can be 400% of the basic fee.”