Vision insurance in Canada

Vision insurance helps cover the cost of eye exams, prescription glasses, contact lenses, and in some cases, corrective procedures.

Each province in Canada offers different coverage levels for vision procedures. While a few provincial health plans cover all their residents,

 most only offer eye exams for children, seniors, or those with specific medical conditions. Most Canadians rely on workplace benefits or

private insurance to manage out-of-pocket expenses. Having vision insurance ensures more consistent eye care and makes it easier to

 maintain long-term eye health without unexpected costs.

Vision insurance coverage by province

 

Most provincial health plans include vision insurance for certain residents. While most regions provide coverage for children, seniors, and certain medical conditions, others only cover exams when medically necessary. The table below summarizes how each provincial and territorial health plan handles vision coverage for eye exams. Note that it’s important to verify your allotments with your provincial plan as they are subject to change and many plans have specific limitations, such as the frequency they can be used.

 

If you don’t qualify for provincial coverage, or if your province's public health care plan doesn't cover eye exams, federal programs are available for some groups, such as NIHB (Non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit) for Indigenous Canadians.

 

 

Provincial Eye Exam Coverage

 

Province/TerritoryChildren (≤18) – routine eye examsAdults (19–64) – routine eye examsSeniors (65+) – routine eye exams
British ColumbiaCovered – routine exam (generally 1/yr) under Medical Services Plan (MSP)Not covered (routine) under Medical Services Plan (MSP)Covered – routine exam (generally 1/yr) under Medical Services Plan (MSP)
AlbertaCovered – 1 complete exam/benefit year under Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)Not covered (routine) under Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)Covered – 1 complete exam/benefit year under Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
SaskatchewanCovered – routine exam (1/yr) under Saskatchewan Health (Ministry of Health)Not covered (routine) under Saskatchewan Health (Ministry of Health)Not covered (routine) under Saskatchewan Health (Ministry of Health)
OntarioCovered – 1 major exam/12 months under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)Not covered (routine) under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)Covered – routine exams every 18 months when healthy; more often if eligible medical condition under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
ManitobaCovered – 1 routine complete exam/24 months under Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term CareNot covered (routine) under Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term CareCovered – 1 routine complete exam/24 months under Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care
QuebecCovered – 1 exam/12 months under Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)Not covered (routine) under Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)Covered – 1 exam/12 months under Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)
New BrunswickNot covered (routine optometry is not insured) under New Brunswick MedicareNot covered (routine) under New Brunswick MedicareNot covered (routine) under New Brunswick Medicare
Nova ScotiaCovered – routine exams to age 10 under Medical Services Insurance (MSI) – Optometry ProgramsNot covered (routine) under Medical Services Insurance (MSI) – Optometry ProgramsCovered – routine exams (program for 65+) under Medical Services Insurance (MSI) – Optometry Programs
Prince Edward IslandCovered via Eye See…Eye Learn (pre-K/K: 1 exam + 1 pair glasses) + Program for Elementary Eye Care (grades 1–6: annual exam + up to 3 pairs glasses) under PEI MedicareNot covered (routine for most adults) under PEI MedicareNot covered (routine) under PEI Medicare
Newfoundland & LabradorNot covered (routine with optometrist) under Medical Care Plan (MCP)Not covered (routine) under Medical Care Plan (MCP)Not covered (routine) under Medical Care Plan (MCP)
YukonNot covered (routine under base plan) under Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (YHCIP), but exceptions may exist for low-income familiesNot covered (routine) under Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (YHCIP)Covered – 1 exam/24 months under Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (YHCIP)
Northwest TerritoriesNot covered (routine under base plan) under NWT Health Care Plan + Extended Health Benefits (EHB)Not covered (routine) under NWT Health Care Plan + Extended Health Benefits (EHB)Not covered (routine) under NWT Health Care Plan + Extended Health Benefits (EHB)
NunavutNot covered (routine under base plan) under Nunavut Health Care Plan + Extended Health Benefits (EHB)Not covered (routine) under Nunavut Health Care Plan + Extended Health Benefits (EHB)Not covered (routine) under Nunavut Health Care Plan + Extended Health Benefits (EHB)

Provincial Medical Emergency and Eyewear Coverage

 

Province/TerritoryMedically necessary eye care (all ages)Public eyewear coverage
British ColumbiaCovered when medically required (all ages) under Medical Services Plan (MSP)Eyeglasses not covered under MSP under Medical Services Plan (MSP)
AlbertaCovered when medically required (all ages) under Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)Eyeglasses not covered under AHCIP under Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
SaskatchewanCovered when medically required (all ages) under Saskatchewan Health (Ministry of Health)Eyeglasses not covered; supplementary programs may help specific groups under Saskatchewan Health (Ministry of Health)
OntarioCovered when medically necessary (all ages) under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)Eyeglasses not covered by OHIP under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
ManitobaCovered when medically required (all ages) under Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term CareChildren’s Opti-Care helps with glasses for eligible families
QuebecCovered when medically required (all ages) under Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)Financial assistance for glasses for children available under separate programs
New BrunswickCovered when performed by physician/optometrist for medical indications under New Brunswick MedicareEyewear/optometry may be covered under social programs, not Medicare under New Brunswick Medicare
Nova ScotiaCovered when medically required (all ages) under Medical Services Insurance (MSI) – Optometry ProgramsEye Prostheses program; glasses not covered by MSI under Medical Services Insurance (MSI) – Optometry Programs
Prince Edward IslandCovered for specified medical conditions (e.g., red-eye program) under PEI MedicarePrograms above include eyewear support for eligible children
Newfoundland & LabradorCovered when provided by a physician for medical eye disease/conditions under Medical Care Plan (MCP)Income-support/targeted programs may help with eyewear
YukonCovered when medically required via physician/ophthalmology under Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (YHCIP)Children’s Drug & Optical Program (low-income) and seniors’ Extended Health may include vision benefits
Northwest TerritoriesCovered when medically required via physician/ophthalmology under NWT Health Care Plan + Extended Health Benefits (EHB)EHB provides vision benefits for eligible seniors/low-income/chronic conditions
NunavutCovered when medically required via physician/ophthalmology under Nunavut Health Care Plan + Extended Health Benefits (EHB)NIHB for eligible Inuit/First Nations; EHB for seniors & specific conditions

Health insurance vs. vision insurance in Canada

Health insurance covers unexpected medical costs, including eye injuries, while vision insurance focuses on routine care, offering benefits for eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses at a reduced cost.

 

In Canada, most residents are covered for health needs under their province’s universal health plan (For example: OHIP in Ontario, MSP in British Columbia, AHCIP in Alberta, and RAMQ in Quebec). Some provinces offer routine vision care under their provincial plans, typically for specific segments of the population, such as children or seniors. Each province has different rules, so it’s important to check what you’re entitled to.

 

Most working Canadians supplement their provincially provided insurance with insurance provided by their employer. Workplace benefits typically offer additional health coverage above provincial plans, as well as vision insurance and dental insurance. This insurance can also be extended to spouses, children, and other dependents.

Services covered by medical insurance typically include:

  • Hospitalization
  • Doctor visits
  • Prescription medications
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Emergency care
  • Chronic conditions
  • Preventive screenings
  • Surgeries

Services covered by eye exam and vision insurance typically include:

  • Eye exams
  • Prescription eyeglasses
  • Contact lenses
  • Lens options and specialized lenses, like Transitions® and polarized lenses
  • Diagnosis and management of certain eye conditions
  • Discounts on LASIK

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