"Together, we were able to come to a long-term and sustainable agreement. "The way eye care is delivered has changed over the past decade," Jones said in the written statement. Optometrists said the province had been underfunding the OHIP-covered services, leaving them paying around 45 per cent out of pocket.Ī statement Friday from Health Minister Sylvia Jones said optometrists have ratified a four-year funding agreement that includes an increase to payments for some OHIP-insured services and eye exams for social assistance recipients, but it didn't detail amounts. The province's health plan covers annual eye exams for residents aged 19 and under, 65 and older and people with specific health conditions. Optometrists withdrew from performing provincially insured eye services from September to November 2021 amid a dispute over the amount they were being reimbursed. The four-year agreement comes after contentious and lengthy talks. Only seniors who can afford to pay out-of-pocket will be able to get more frequent eye exams." "Preventative eye care is important to catching issues early and could impact seniors' ability to live independently. "Seniors are having a hard enough time right now without having to go longer between eye exams, which are critical to seniors' health," she said in a statement. NDP Leader Marit Stiles said the move will hurt seniors. It is based on "the best clinical evidence and prioritizes seniors with the highest needs," the government said, noting Manitoba and Nova Scotia insure eye exams every two years for healthy seniors. The province said that decision was made with the Ontario Association of Optometrists. ![]() 1, people aged 65 and older will be covered for one eye exam every 18 months, instead of one a year, unless they have a condition affecting their eyes such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetes. ![]() ![]() Ontario has reached a funding agreement with optometrists that increases some payments to them, but reduces some coverage for patients, including less frequent general eye exams for seniors.Īs of Sept.
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