A popular question we get as an optometry clinic is whether an eye exam is a covered benefit under MSP. The answer is it depends! 

For kids (0-18 years old) and seniors (65+), MSP covers a portion of the eye exam annually. Many optometrists choose to balance bill for these age categories as MSP only contributes a small portion of their regular fee, and this cost varies clinic to clinic. This balance can be covered by any extended health insurance you may have depending on your policy. 

If you are a healthy adult aged 19-64, MSP doesn’t usually cover your eye exams. You have the choice of paying out of pocket, using your extended health insurance, or a health spending account through your workplace if available. The fee for an adult eye exam also varies from clinic to clinic. However, some adults between the ages of 19-64 with certain health or eye conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, or retinal disease can have MSP contribute towards their eye exams. 

While cost may understandably be a barrier for some, it is important to understand that an eye exam is just as much a medical exam as it is a vision test, and it should be a priority for everyone. Give us a call to find out what your cost might be for a comprehensive eye exam. 

Thanks for reading! 

Dr. Jhamb