How You Can Help
Please visit http://www.SaveEyecare.ca and send a petition to the PC government and urge them to fund eyecare adequately.
For over 30 years, successive Ontario governments have ignored Optometrists. In 1989 the fee paid for an OHIP insured eye exam was $39.15. According to the Bank of Canada’s Inflation Calculator, this amounts to $73.89 in 2021.
As of 2021, over 32 years later, OHIP reimbursement is on average $44.65.
This funding has not kept up with inflation and does not come close to covering the cost (including rent, staff, utilities, equipment, taxes and supplies) to provide an eye exam.
Every time we perform an OHIP insured eye exam we do so at a loss. This is not sustainable.
LOWEST REIMBURSEMENT IN CANADA
For over 30 years, successive Ontario governments have ignored Optometrists. In 1989 the fee paid for an OHIP insured eye exam was $39.15; today, over 32 years later, it is on average $44.65. This has not kept up with inflation and does not come close to covering the cost (including rent, staff, utilities, equipment, taxes and supplies) to provide an eye exam. Every time we perform an OHIP insured eye exam we do so at a loss. This is not sustainable.
CAN I PAY FOR MY EXAM?
No. Unfortunately, provincial law prevents anyone from paying for any OHIP insured service, even if you have your own insurance.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
You may have read the government has offered us an 8.48% increase in our fees. For a senior’s eye exam that would raise our fee to $51.00. This still leaves us more than 30% lower than Manitoba, the next lowest paid province and shy of the cost of delivery of service and inflation rate of $73.86. Unfortunately, an 8.48% increase does not even come close to compensate 32 years of neglect.
We need the government to be serious and prioritize and properly fund eye care to make it sustainable for years to come.
