Low-cost specs plan for over-60s

OLD people on low incomes are to get a special pass that will give them cheaper spectacles and eye tests.

Opticians, health insurers, spectacle manufacturers and glass-maker Essilor have banded together to offer the pass-lunettes as they say older people have more need of eye-care, more expensive prescriptions and they are not well covered by social security or health insurance.

The group, called Optique Solidaire, says the pass will be available to any over-60s eligible for the Aide à la Complémentaire Santé (a benefit partially covering costs of buying top-up healthcare insurance) - that is those with incomes of between €648 and €816.

Details will be posted to those who are already claiming the benefit.

Below that income level, people should be covered by la Couverture Maladie Universelle Complémentaire (CMU-C) and entitled to a new pair of specs each year.

The new pass is to bridge the gap for those who cannot afford the eyecare needed.

Optique Solidaire says this group is "penalised twice" because their age means they have a vital need for spectacles, and more expensive ones because of the complex prescriptions, yet health insurance - if they can afford it at all - is too expensive and not enough is reimbursed.

The pass will give them an ophthalmic consultation within three months at the Sécu tariff, an appointment at an Optique Solidaire optician and the choice of 11 styles of frame.

In all, 483 opticians, 13 health insurers, five frame-makers and Essilor are taking part. Ophthalmologists will be taking part as part of action agreed through their union.

Together they have brought the cost of spectacles down from €350 to around €120 and this should make the cost to the patient zero or just a few euros.
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