Changes are coming to optometry coverage for Alberta children and seniors

Effective Feb. 1, Alberta's UCP government will be decreasing payments and delisting some services for children and seniors.

Effective Feb. 1, Alberta's UCP government will be decreasing payments and delisting some services for children and seniors.

This could put optometrists in a tough spot to either absorb the cost or pass it onto patients.

The biggest change is partial eye exams for children and seniors will no longer be covered by the province.

The changes are being made as Alberta's health minister says the province spends the most on optometry services for residents.

"Alberta is also the only jurisdiction in Canada that covers an annual partial routine eye exam for children and seniors, in addition to a complete eye exam every year," a statement from the Health Minister Adriana LaGrange's office said.

One complete eye exam each year is still covered for children and seniors.

Also, basic eye services will not be allowed to be billed on the same day as medically necessary eye care for children and seniors.