OHIP optometrists to receive $45 million to support investment in modernizing optometry service delivery

To: Optometrists
Category: Optometrist Services
Written by: Provider Services Branch; OHIP, Pharmaceuticals and Devices Division
Date issued: April 14, 2022

The Ontario government is investing $45 million to enhance optometry care. This financial support will improve the delivery of Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) insured optometry services through modernizing technology, equipment, and patient management, scheduling and medical record software.

This investment and the methodology for its distribution was mutually agreed to by the Ministry of Health (the ministry) and the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO).

This investment will benefit Ontario optometrists, help to modernize OHIP optometry services for patients, and will not raise costs to patients.

Eligibility

All eligible optometrists are encouraged to apply for Funding to Modernize OHIP Optometry Service Delivery by visiting the website and completing the application. The application process will be open from April 14, 2022, to June 13, 2022, and payments will be made directly to eligible Ontario optometrists.

Individual optometrists are encouraged to apply for this investment if they meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • They have rendered one or more insured OHIP optometry service(s) between April 1, 2020-March 1, 2022, for which they have successfully submitted or will successfully submit a claim for payment to OHIP by June 10, 2022.
  • They intend to actively deliver OHIP insured services for the next two years (April 1, 2022-March 31, 2024).
  • They hold a valid license from the College of Optometrists of Ontario.
  • They practice in Ontario.

Payment Details

The amount of the payments to individual optometrists will be calculated based on the number of eligible applications received.

Payment will appear on the individual optometrist’s OHIP Remittance Advice (RA) as a single accounting transaction.
Further details, including the timing of this payment, will be communicated in a future INFOBulletin once the application process has ended.

Keywords/tags

Ontario; OHIP; Optometrist; Optometry; One-Time Payment; One-Time Investment; Modernizing; Modernization; Compensation

Contact information

Do you have questions about this INFOBulletin? Email the Service Support Contact Centre or call 1-800-262-6524.