Accessibility: Your Eye Care and Changes in OHIP Coverage

OHIP coverage has been changing in recent years. Presently all provinces have essentially no coverage for adult eye exams. New OHIP coverage for different age groups started on November 1, 2004.

Although OHIP has altered coverage, some patients are still insured for annual eye exams, depending on age and if they have vision-threatening diseases.

Ontario is the last province to have adult eye exams de-insured by the government.

For patients aged 19 or younger at the time of the exam, OHIP is unchanged and will cover the exam.

For patients 65 years and older at the time of the exam, OHIP is unchanged and will cover the exam.

For patients between the ages of 20 and 64 at the time of the exam, OHIP will not cover the examination.

Patients with significant vision-threatening eye diseases may be covered (ie. diabetes, and seven other diseases qualify).

If not covered by OHIP you may be insured by other health benefit programs.

(Information provided by Gall & Associates Optometrists). Dr. Gall is located at 247 North Service Rd., Suite 203, Oakville, Ontario. He can be contacted at 905.338.2020.

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