Toronto/CMEDIA: A funding agreement has been reached between Ontario and optometrists that increases some payments to optometrists and also includes eligibility changes for some assessments, including less frequent general eye exams for seniors, a news release has reported.
Optometrists were reported saying that the province had been underfunding the OHIP-covered services, leaving them paying around 45 per cent out of pocket.
A statement was made Friday by Health Minister Sylvia Jones said optometrists have ratified a four-year funding agreement including an increase to payments for some OHIP-insured services and eye exams for social assistance recipients, but it didn’t detail amounts.
People aged 65 and older will be covered for one eye exam every 18 months, instead of one a year, as of Sept. 1, unless they have a condition affecting their eyes such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetes.
Decision was based by the province with with the Ontario Association of Optometrists on “the best clinical evidence and prioritizes seniors with the highest needs,” and noted that Manitoba and Nova Scotia insure eye exams every two years for healthy seniors.
“I am pleased to announce that we were able to work through a new historic four-year funding agreement,” said Dr. Josephine Pepe, President of the Ontario Association of Optometrists. “We will be working together to ensure optometrists can continue providing the high-quality access to care that Ontarians deserve, both now and for future generations.”
NDP Leader Marit Stiles said in a statement that the move will hurt seniors having to go longer between eye exams, which are critical to seniors’ health and added
“Preventative eye care is important to catching issues early and could impact seniors’ ability to live independently. Only seniors who can afford to pay out-of-pocket will be able to get more frequent eye exams.”
The contoversial and lengthy talks for the reaching of the four-year agreement followed optometrists’ withdrawl from performing provincially insured eye services from September to November 2021 amid a dispute over the amount they were being reimbursed,
“The way eye care is delivered has changed over the past decade,” Jones said in the written statement.”Together, we were able to come to a long-term and sustainable agreement. Through their OHIP card, people of all ages will continue to be connected to high-quality and publicly-funded eye care that better reflects the latest best practices and expert advice.”
Effective September 1, 2023, changes included in the agreement will give increase access to care for people with chronic diseases such as glaucoma and ocular complications due to diabetes.
OHIP-insured annual eye exam as well as two follow-up minor assessments will be received by seniors diagnosed with an eligible medical condition requiring ongoing monitoring.
Seniors without an eligible medical condition, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetes, will continue to receive preventative eye care through an OHIP-insured eye exam every 18 months, as well as two additional follow-up minor assessments.
No changes have been maded under this agreement to eligibility coverage for children or Ontarians receiving social assistance.
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