When it comes to eye care, making sure you are scheduling regular eye exams is fundamental for the early detection of eye-related conditions. Are you wondering if eye exams are covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)? In this blog, we explore eye-exam coverage conditions as well as other vision problems that are also covered by the AHCIP.
Eye Exam Coverage by Alberta Health Care
If you need to schedule an eye exam but are looking for affordable alternatives, you should know that you may be eligible for eye exam coverage by the Alberta Health Care. For instance, the AHCIP currently covers one complete eye exam per year for people under 19 years of age, which can be particularly beneficial for the early detection of eye diseases in young children. Additionally, Alberta Health Care also covers one complete eye exam per year for people who are 65 years old or older, which helps in the detection of eye conditions that are more common among the elderly, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Patients who are between 18 and 65 years old may also be covered under specific circumstances. For instance, optometrists may consider necessary to perform specific exams in case of trauma or disease, in which case the exams could be covered.
Diabetic Eye Examination
Screening/examining for diabetes-related eye disease (dilated fundus examination) is covered by Alberta Health Care. However, this does not include testing for eyeglass or contact lens prescription (refraction). Refraction is not covered by Alberta Health Care for those aged 19-64, even if your doctor refers you for testing. Many people have third party health insurance that fully or partially covers this, usually every two years.
Other Vision and Eye Problems Covered by Alberta Health Care
The Alberta Health Care also covers a wide range of urgent eye traumas and conditions. These include, but are not limited to:
Eye infections and injuries
Monitoring of retinal disease, glaucoma and diabetes issues.
Eye and eyelid inflammation.
Foreign objects in the eyes.
Styes.
The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
Many people overlook the importance of regular eye exams, but the fact is that they can greatly contribute to the early detection of serious eye-related diseases, which increases the chances of a successful treatment. For instance, some conditions do not have clear and noticeable symptoms at their early stages but can result in significant vision loss if detected later. This is the case with glaucoma, for which treatment can be difficult once patients notice they are losing peripheral vision.
Moreover, since late detection of eye conditions usually results in more complex treatment, patients may have to deal with more expensive costs, making regular eye exams also important from a financial perspective. Ideally, it is recommended that adults have eye exams once every two years, even if they have no detected medical conditions. The recommended frequency may be higher for kids eye exams and senior eye exams, as early detection of diseases is even more important in these ages.
Your Choice for Eye Exams in Edmonton
Now that you have gathered valuable information about the coverage and importance of eye exams, why not take the next step? At Optometrists' Clinic Inc, we provide exams for all ages in Edmonton, Leduc and Westlock, ensuring you and your family are properly taken care of. Don’t hesitate to give us a call and let our team of optometrists provide you with the eye care you need. Reach out to us!