Optometrists opt out of the RAMQ

QMI agency

Wednesday, 7 February, 2018 07:16

UPDATE
Wednesday, 7 February, 2018 07:19

Look at this article

90 % of optometrists of Quebec will withdraw from the RAMQ, as from 10 march next year, announced on Wednesday the Association des Optométristes du Québec (AOQ), which denounces the failure of negotiations with the ministry of Health and social Services (DHSS), regarding the renewal of the agreement on pricing of examinations reimbursed by the RAMQ.

This agreement defines the conditions for the participation of optometrists in the public system that covers the population under the age of 18 years, 65 years and over and service providers and income security.

The non-participation of optometrists in MEDICARE would force patients to pay out of pocket.

“Over the past 15 years, we ask them to repeat fair and equitable remuneration and the government turned a deaf ear. There is a ras-le-bol widespread in the profession in the face of fees insufficient paid by the RAMQ, for example $ 12 for an emergency eye or $ 42 average for an eye exam versus 95 $ in the private sector according to the tariff guide of the AOQ. Our patience has run out and a catch-up is essential,” said dr. Steven Carrier, optometrist and president of AOQ, in a press release.

The operating costs incurred by the optometrists have increased three times more than the fee-for-service, over the past 30 years.

On the 12th of December last, the government had tabled an offer deemed “derisory” by optometrists.