OHIP coverage for Eye care stops Sept 1st

I just heard of this today..what the heck is wrong with Ontario Health..so mired in Covid they've forgetting to take care of the health needs of the public...

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KAWARTHA LAKES-Optometrists across Ontario are ready to stop providing eye care to kids, seniors and adults covered by OHIP if the Ontario government doesn’t come to the table for discussions on funding.

A hand-out being given to eye care patients as they leave the optometrist office says:

“All seniors, children’s and OHIP eye exams will end September 1”

In March, 96% of Ontario optometrists voted to withdraw OHIP services starting September 1, 2021 — unless the government agreed to legally-binding negotiations to fund these services at least to the cost of delivery. To date that has not happened.

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more info: https://www.kawartha411.ca/2021/06/1...ptember-12021/

I saw a blurb about this some time ago. It appears nothing has gone forward for some time now? I guess I'm sitting on the fence with this, as I find it hard to side with the optometrist's who are famous for gouging with the price of eye glasses that they charge?

It should be available to everyone as a basic need in my opinion. There’s not much you can do without your peepers.

actually has not been covered for people over 18 since Mcquinty first was elected.

Speaking of eye care - yesterday I had the cataract removed from my right eye - two weeks ago had one remove from my left eye - boy what a difference - you start loosing your sight gradually and don't notice it until you can't read the signs along the highway - had the best of care - was surprised how smooth it went and how organized the whole procedure went - didn't cost me anything - medicare paid for it - the operating doctor was great - it took less than a month to schedule the surgery from when I decided to have it done -

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

actually has not been covered for people over 18 since Mcquinty first was elected.

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I admit I'm not right up on the details, but I know it was covered by OHIP if there was a medical issue involved as opposed to just a general eyesight exam. I've been going to the opthamologist bi-annually for the last 15 or so years now as I'm borderline for Glaucoma. He is watching me close to make sure it's caught early, if it finally develops? My visits to the optometrist have been covered by OHIP all along for that reason. I guess that is about to end if the Optometrists have their way?

You are correct for some people and for some existing conditions it is still free. I have to pay for mine and I still need reading glasses.
(Probably because I look so young)

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

I admit I'm not right up on the details, but I know it was covered by OHIP if there was a medical issue involved as opposed to just a general eyesight exam. I've been going to the opthamologist bi-annually for the last 15 or so years now as I'm borderline for Glaucoma. He is watching me close to make sure it's caught early, if it finally develops? My visits to the optometrist have been covered by OHIP all along for that reason. I guess that is about to end if the Optometrists have their way?

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I just bought a new pair of glasses, of which I'm eligible for every 2 years. They cost a staggering $600 and my share was something like $150--what the things should be worth in the first place.

You have a benefits program that covers part of your cost.

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Originally Posted by sawbill

I just bought a new pair of glasses, of which I'm eligible for every 2 years. They cost a staggering $600 and my share was something like $150--what the things should be worth in the first place.

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Originally Posted by sawbill

I just bought a new pair of glasses, of which I'm eligible for every 2 years. They cost a staggering $600 and my share was something like $150--what the things should be worth in the first place.

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I hope you didn't get graduated lenses (for close up and distance) like I did.... I hate them, makes me feel like Mr Bobble head trying to read things in the stores and worse if it is on the top shelf. Bi-focals or for the need (mostly for reading) next time.

The doctor suggested getting a few from the dollar store for in the car and tackle box (some higher than the specified amount).

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Originally Posted by mosquito

I hope you didn't get graduated lenses (for close up and distance) like I did.... I hate them, makes me feel like Mr Bobble head trying to read things in the stores and worse if it is on the top shelf. Bi-focals or for the need (mostly for reading) next time.

The doctor suggested getting a few from the dollar store for in the car and tackle box (some higher than the specified amount).

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I've had progressive lenses for a long time now and other than maybe the first month to get used to them I have no issues at all.

I get partial reimbursement for my eye exams and glasses through our Sun Life Plan. Glasses...it amounts to $250 every two years. The last pair I bought from the Optometrist office were $600.....

We now buy our glasses from Zennie Optical online. Very slick and easy website and I can get progressives for about $250 (CDN) . I bought a few pairs of prescription dedicated 'reader' glasses as well. They come in around $150.

This decision by the Optometrists hurts the low-hanging fruit, struggling parents with kids and seniors with lower incomes. But the real cause of the problem is the Ontario governments refusal to pay them for their services. With all the money floating around, you'd think it was a no-brainer.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

This decision by the Optometrists hurts the low-hanging fruit, struggling parents with kids and seniors with lower incomes. But the real cause of the problem is the Ontario governments refusal to pay them for their services. With all the money floating around, you'd think it was a no-brainer.

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The link you posted say's the gov't pays about 55% of the cost, leaving the optometrist's to absorb the remaining 45%. It goes on to say that the amount paid is on average $44.65. Using simple math, that comes out to around $80 total for an exam, according to OAO? What the article doesn't say, is how much of an increase are they asking for? If they want my sympathy, they'll have to throw out the numbers of what they are asking the gov't to pay them.

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

What the article doesn't say, is how much of an increase are they asking for?

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I gathered they want the full coverage of the exam...appro $90 vs the $44 they get now

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According to the association, the province paid optometrists $39.15 on average for an exam in 1989 and now pays $44.65 for the service. group said that has optometrists absorbing 45 per cent of the cost of an OHIP-covered eye exam.

“It’s costing me $98 in operating costs to provide an eye exam to OHIP patients,” said Salaba, who has a practice in Hamilton, noting that clinics shoulder costs associated with paying staff, rent, equipment and utilities.

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

I saw a blurb about this some time ago. It appears nothing has gone forward for some time now? I guess I'm sitting on the fence with this, as I find it hard to side with the optometrist's who are famous for gouging with the price of eye glasses that they charge?

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Exactly!

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Originally Posted by MikePal

I gathered they want the full coverage of the exam...appro $90 vs the $44 they get now

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Neither of us know the numbers they are asking for. They throw percentages and averages out there, but it means nothing until the exact amount they're seeking, is known.
As a tax payer and contributor to our OHIP expenses, I don't appreciate helping to pay the extra cost the optometrists want to charge to supplement their lavish, huge store front office's that so many of them are operating out of. We aren't patients to them, we're customers. Until the obvious conflict of interest they have by selling over priced products to their "customers" is gone, they won't be getting any support from me.

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Originally Posted by smitty55

I've had progressive lenses for a long time now and other than maybe the first month to get used to them I have no issues at all.

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Maybe it is how the graduated part was done and the small reading area but I just feel like Mr Bobblehead moving the reading spot around and to the top row to look for things etc. Having to move my head around and up and down etc. like a bobblehead looking for something, I'm never buying them again. Too expensive and too annoying for me, they seemed like a good idea and I paid the high price and it is good you can get them to work but bifocals maybe, graduated again, I'll pass,.

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

Neither of us know the numbers they are asking for. They throw percentages and averages out there, but it means nothing until the exact amount they're seeking, is known.
As a tax payer and contributor to our OHIP expenses, I don't appreciate helping to pay the extra cost the optometrists want to charge to supplement their lavish, huge store front office's that so many of them are operating out of. We aren't patients to them, we're customers. Until the obvious conflict of interest they have by selling over priced products to their "customers" is gone, they won't be getting any support from me.

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The one I use now (one of the Next Optical but not the one that advertises) doesn't seem to have upgraded and remodelled at all. Very clean, very friendly and seems to be more in patient than customer mode than the one I went to before. Like I said it was the optometrist that suggested getting Dollar store glasses for in the car and tackle box etc. , the customer optometrists would be suggesting a spare pair. Who knows how may years since they had an increase and the article says the "cost" of the exam etc., I would like to know how they calculated their "costs" for one. The "costs" hmm , I know I was in the room maybe 15 minutes and if they are talking $80 to $100 per customer, their "costs" are over $240 to $300 an hour (assuming 3 customers per hour). There are of course some optometrists that when you walk in you are a credit card with eyes and they want to max out their income or want the fanciest shop etc. but for the average one I wonder.

Right now the dentist I have has a much reduced cost for those without insurance and an Optometrist that suggests dollar store glasses for spares... seems some are running it like a business but still care about the patient. The complete refusal however is just punitive to the poor and extortion in my book until I know more.

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

The link you posted say's the gov't pays about 55% of the cost, leaving the optometrist's to absorb the remaining 45%. It goes on to say that the amount paid is on average $44.65. Using simple math, that comes out to around $80 total for an exam, according to OAO? What the article doesn't say, is how much of an increase are they asking for? If they want my sympathy, they'll have to throw out the numbers of what they are asking the gov't to pay them.

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I just talked with the local optometrist about the issue with the provincial government which at this point is refusing to come to the table to discuss the issues. What it boils down to is that an eye exam costs around $90 for the optometrist to do with the cost of his time and the equipment. The exams take up to an hour depending on the doctors and the tests done. 30 years ago OHIP paid $39 of that cost and at this time they still only pay $43, so an increase of only 10% over 30 years. No wonder they're upset with Ford, cant say I blame them. Also they were shut down totally for 3 months with the first lockdown with no government support, that's a huge loss of income. So at the present time they just want the government to at least start to address the issues.

Its all part of the magnificent service you receive when you vote in a Conservatives Government.

"The Ontario Financing Authority, which manages the provinces' debt, says that as of March 31, 2020 (for the 2019-20 fiscal year), the Ontario government's net debt is CDN $353.3 billion. Net debt is projected to rise to $398 billion in 2020-21.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

We now buy our glasses from Zennie Optical online. Very slick and easy website and I can get progressives for about $250 (CDN) . I bought a few pairs of prescription dedicated 'reader' glasses as well. They come in around $150.

This decision by the Optometrists hurts the low-hanging fruit, struggling parents with kids and seniors with lower incomes. But the real cause of the problem is the Ontario governments refusal to pay them for their services. With all the money floating around, you'd think it was a no-brainer.

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So how does that work Mike? Do you send in your prescription and pick the frames you want and then they give you a quote? The prescription tab on that site doesn't ask for much. My last set of progressives were around $600 for me. Prices are crazy compared to the states.

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Originally Posted by smitty55

So how does that work Mike?

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They just ask for your numbers off the prescription from your Eye Dr....which they have to give you, if you ask for one.

The only hic-up is getting your interocular measurement, the distance better your pupils. Most clinics will NOT give it to you (they know what you want it for) . Zennie tells you how to do it and it's not too difficult, Best if your wife helps you hold a ruler.

If you play around on the site you can set up a profile with a selfie pic and it will allow you to place their glasses over your image to see how they look. A little cheesy but works ok.

The costing is accumulated as you fill out the form for additional options etc. You're given the total before you place the order.

Zennie now has a Canadian site that will facilitate dealing with the shipping across the border, makes it seamless and doesn't cost any more. .

https://ca.zennioptical.com/