Changes to eye care in Alberta are coming next month as Alberta Health released changes to the Opto 35 Bulletin, which are expected to come into effect on Feb. 1.
The changes itself are expected to have significant impacts on Albertans with chronic eye health conditions, especially children, seniors, and rural residents across the province.
More than 900 Doctors of Optometry under the Alberta Association of Optometrists (AOO) were blindsided by the Opto 35 Bulletin, and the impact it can have on their patients.
Dr. Sophia Leung, president of the AOO, outlined that they are surprised and extremely disappointed by the changes.
“By taking time to review this decision with Alberta Optometrists, Alberta Health would have learned the true impact that their decision will have on the vision health of Albertans,” Leung said. “This will ultimately put patients with chronic eye conditions at significant risk for progressing eye health issues.”
The three main changes will include:
- Partial eye exams will be delisted: This means that if, during a full eye exam, there is a reason the exam can’t be completed or there is a reason for a follow up, there is no covered option for bringing the patient back.
- Retinal imaging and photography: There will be a reduction in the frequency that our optometrists can see their patients by 50 per cent. Due to this, it will become more difficult to follow up with patients as frequently as needed, increasing the potential of eye disease needlessly advancing.
- Cannot bill basic eye services (B650) and medically necessary eye care (B900) on the same day: Optometrists are no longer able to complete all the needed vision care in one appointment. Albertans will need to re-book and come back on a different day to get the balance of needed care.
The AOO believes that this will greatly impact the care that Alberta optometrists can provide, adding that patients will become less likely to book appointments, which can lead to risks in eye health care issues.
“The AAO will continue to communicate its concerns and disappointment with Alberta Health and seek clarifications regarding the changes that reduce the level of care that Albertans will receive,” Leung said. “Patients deserve the best quality of vision health care available, and if Alberta Health would have taken the time to review this decision with the AAO, it may have saved some vision health difficulties which now, under the new changes, may evolve.”
To learn more, please visit www.optometrists.ab.ca/savingvision.
