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Optometrists Expected to Withdraw Provincially Funded Services Today

Wednesday, 1 September 2021 11:42

Impacted patients can expect a call today about cancellations as talks between the OAO and the Province have completely broken down.

Talks between the Province and Ontario optometrists have completely broken down. 

Starting today, optometrists in Ontario will withdraw provincially insured eye services. At issue is the reimbursement of costs. Impacted patients can expect a call today about the cancellations. 

Currently Ontario optometrists pay around 45% for annual eye exams for residents that are supposed to be covered under the Provinces health plan. 

Health Minister Christine Elliott says they are still willing to negotiate after talks broke down on the weekend. 

"I want to be clear that our government will continue to fund these optometry services through OHIP. Any decision to withdraw services is the decision of individual optometrists. The College of Optometrists of Ontario has made clear that if an individual optometrist decides to withhold care from a patient, they are expected to take steps to ensure the patient can continue to receive appropriate care."

Elliott says she is urging the OAO to keep working.   

"My goal remains to arrive at a solution that would support the province’s 2,500 optometrists in delivering high-quality care for patients, both now and into the future. Our government’s offer is an extremely fair and reasonable one, and I urge the OAO to stop withholding care from patients and commit to reaching an agreement today." 

The OAO meanwhile states they have never been given a formal negotiation process with the government. 

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