Are contact lenses covered by the free healthcare in Canada?
19 replies, posted
Hey Facepunch,
I am going to get an eye test tomorrow. I am pretty confident I have bad eyes, but I don't want glasses because they look really ugly on me, so I want contacts. But can I get them for free because of the Canadian free-health care? If not, how expensive are they?
I don't think so.
You are only covered by contact lenses on Plans.
But maybe you just have not found the type of glasses that suit you. I suggest looking at a few pairs and getting some advice from other people. I was the same about 2 years ago when i got my eyes checked. Now i love glasses after some professional help finding the right pair.
It's not free healthcare.
It depends - best answer I can give unless you give more information.
Just asked my Canadian friend. Glasses and contact lenses are not covered by the free health care.
[QUOTE=HellSoldier;22154213]It's not free healthcare.
It depends - best answer I can give unless you give more information.[/QUOTE]
What information? Like my age, if I'm near-sighted or far sighted, or what?
Uh, your insurance company might pay some of the price (If you have one) if not, then you're going to pay the full price no matter what you case is.
[editline]8:52:00[/editline]
Actually, I'm not too sure what it is for contact lenses. I think it all depends on your insurance company really, OHIP doesn't cover it as far as I know.
When I was getting glasses I remember my dad's insurance company paid some of the price, but I'm pretty sure my mom had to pay the full price when she was getting contact lenses. She already had glasses though.
Just call the place your getting your eyes checked and ask, can't be that hard.
[QUOTE=Heroms;22154265]Uh, your insurance company might pay some of the price (If you have one) if not, then you're going to pay the full price no matter what you case is.[/QUOTE]
Well, what's the average price?
They're not covered by the free healthcare here in Scotland, and I shell out about £90 for 6 months of lenses here, I imagine it will be similar in Canada.
[editline]01:52AM[/editline]
Your optician may also not give you contact lenses until you've been using glasses for a year.
Contact lenses are such a hassle anyway, I'd just get glasses.
I've never heard of such a thing as glasses looking ugly on someone, get the right frames. Or you've probably just never seen yourself with glasses and so think you look awkward.
I've actually had one of the female workers there aid in picking out a frame that would look good on me. :smile:
Unless I got Arnold Schwarzeneggers Gladiator sunglasses that he used in Terminator 2, I look like a total nerd. :frown:
Nope. My insurance covered all of it though for glasses.
[QUOTE=Me0wmix;22154438]Nope. My insurance covered all of it though for glasses.[/QUOTE]
Could you please rephrase that? It doesn't make sense.
As said, they are not and the health care isn't really free. I wear contacts and I never have trouble, it just depends if your eyes are sensitive or not.
[QUOTE=Zattatar;22154483]Could you please rephrase that? It doesn't make sense.[/QUOTE]
My insurance covered 100% of my glasses. (which i don't even use so I'm lucky)
There are literally hundreds of styles of glasses, I doubt they all look horrible on you.
They'll look and feel weird initially, but you'll find they may be a bit easier on your lifestyle than contacts considering it's one pair and you slip 'em on and off.
A 1year supply of contacts will cost around 300$ I think, and is not covered under the free healthcare, unless as stated above is on a health plan.
The free health care does not cover it. Period. No exceptions, don't know about paid ones though.
OHIP doesn't cover eye testing because it isn't considered essential as long as you can afford it. If you're not an Ontarian, then v:v:v
[QUOTE=Dr. Fishtastic;22155826]OHIP doesn't cover eye testing because it isn't considered essential as long as you can afford it. If you're not an Ontarian, then v:v:v[/QUOTE]
In Saskatchewan and Manitoba I don't believe you need to pay to visit an ophthalmologist as long as you're referred by a physician.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.