Optical practitioner or practice

Optical practitioners provide services related to eye health and vision. This section primarily concerns an eye care practitioner or practice.

Types of fraud involving this category

Optical practice

This relates to claiming and/or dispensing at the practice.

Enhanced claims

This relates to false or enhanced claims submitted to the NHS by optical practices. For example, claiming higher voucher values or increasing the number of items actually dispensed, i.e. claiming for two pairs of glasses when only one was issued.

False claims

This relates to false patient claims including claims submitted by optical practices. This includes claims submitted where the patient did not actually attend on the day, the patient never attended, the patient does not actually exist, or the patient was deceased at the time for which the treatment was claimed.

Double income

This relates to false claims submitted by an optical practice to the NHS for NHS patients who in fact paid privately.

Testing/dispensing

This relates to dispensing and testing of optical equipment, including unnecessary early recall of patients, dispensing without clinical justification and the dispensing of optical devices and lenses.

Domiciliary

This relates to claiming and/or dispensing in respect of care provided in homes, nursing, residential or day care facilities.

Enhanced claims

This relates to false or enhanced claims submitted to the NHS by optical practices concerning home visits. For example, claiming higher voucher values or increasing the number of items actually dispensed, i.e. claiming for two pairs of glasses when only one was issued.

False claims

This relates to false patient claims including claims submitted by optical practices concerning home visits. This includes claims submitted where the patient did not actually attend on the day, the patient never attended, the patient does not actually exist, or the patient was deceased at the time for which the treatment was claimed.

Double income

This relates to false claims submitted by an optical practice concerning a home visit to the NHS for NHS patients who in fact paid privately.

Testing/dispensing

This relates to dispensing and testing of optical equipment concerning a home visit, including unnecessary early recall of patients, dispensing without clinical justification and the dispensing of optical devices and lenses.