Optometrists ready to withdraw OHIP services September 1 cbc.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cbc.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com
Those who rely on provincially covered eye care could soon find themselves left out in the cold the next time they need an eye exam.
A problem 30 years in the making is coming to a head on September 1, 2021, when optometrists across the province will stop administering any eye exams covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Currently, OHIP covers exams for those 19 and younger, 65 and older and any adults in the province with specific medical problems.
According to the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO), after years of the government failing to increase OHIP payments for insurance-covered eye exams – the OAO currently lists the OHIP covered portion at 55 per cent, leaving the other 45 per cent to be covered by the individual optometrist – the majority of optometrists in the province voted to withdraw OHIP covered services in an attempt to bring the government to the bargaining table to increase the OHIP covered portio
Brighton, Ontario, Canada / Brighton Today.ca
Jul 26, 2021 | 6:44 PM
As of September first optometrists not be taking any OHIP patients this is due to the provincial government refusing to negotiate with optometrists on the cost of eye exams.
The issue is that optometrists are paying out of there own pocket to absorb 45% of the cost OHIP will not cover.
Sheldon Salaba, president of the Ontario Association of Optometrists says it now costs eye doctors over $80 to provide and eye exam. Salaba also adds that in 1989 the Ontario Government paid $39 for an eye exam and today, 32 years later it’s moved $5 to $44.
Local politicians call on Ontario government to negotiate with optometrists before services are withdrawn cbc.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cbc.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.