Optometry services information
Guidelines for providing optometry services to injured workers.
Who can provide optometry services to injured workers
WorkSafe Victoria (WorkSafe), will only pay for optometry services by healthcare professionals who are:
- registered by WorkSafe to provide optometry services, and
- registered with the Optometry Board of Australia
Referral requirements
- Referral from a medical practitioner is not required for provision of optometry services WorkSafe considers optometry to be a primary contact service. A referral from a medical practitioner is therefore not required. A referral is required from a medical practitioner for the provision of any approved health service with the exception of medical, physiotherapy, osteopathic, chiropractic, optometry, dental and podiatry services.
- No referral to other health services. WorkSafe does not allow optometrists to provide referrals to other health services.
How much WorkSafe will pay
WorkSafe will pay the reasonable costs of optometry services up to the maximum amount, as detailed in WorkSafe's Optometry services fee schedule.
What WorkSafe will pay for
WorkSafe will pay for the reasonable costs of optometry services that meet all of the following criteria:
- Treatment is for a work-related injury or illness.
- The provider is currently registered as an optometrist with WorkSafe.
- Where a medical practitioner has: provided a referral for the services, and regularly reviews ongoing services.
What WorkSafe will not pay for
- Non-attendance/cancellation. WorkSafe will not pay for appointments where injured workers cancel or do not attend.
- Telephone conversations. WorkSafe will not pay for telephone consultations or conversations, either to the injured worker or other related parties (such as the employer, WorkSafe, WorkSafe Agents, self-insurers or other healthcare professionals).
- More than one consultation on the same day. WorkSafe will not pay for more than one optometry consultation provided on the same day to the same injured worker.
Suspended from providing services to WorkSafe clients
If WorkSafe gives notice to a provider advising them that they are suspended from providing services to WorkSafe clients, WorkSafe will notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or other relevant professional body that regulates the provider, and Medicare Australia of the suspension and the grounds on which the suspension has been issued.