In general, medically required services cover:

• ocular disease, trauma or injury
• systemic diseases associated with significant ocular risk (e.g. diabetes)
• medications associated with significant ocular risk

Optometric services not covered by MSP include:

• Recommended treatments such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids, eye co-ordination exercises, eye medications
• Contact lens fitting
• Eye examinations that are required by potential employers or other third parties
• Laser refractive surgery management (pre- and post-operative visits)

Medical Services Plan (MSP) provides limited or partial coverage for optometric services as a benefit* for the following population groups:

• Children aged 0–18 years: one full eye examination annually
• Adults aged 19–64: eye exams not covered by MSP unless medically required
• Seniors aged 65+: one full eye examination annually

* MSP currently covers:

• $47.08 for a full eye exam
• $29.92 for a minor or follow-up examination

Doctors of optometry are eligible to set their own fees for services and may bill MSP on behalf of their patients when there is coverage available. Patients are expected to pay the balance, if there is one. In advance of an appointment, the patient should be advised of the expected cost of the services, and whether MSP may cover any or all of it.

The BC Healthy Kids Program helps middle- and low-income families with the costs of basic dental care and prescription eyewear for their children. Eligible clients include dependent children under 19 years of age who receive MSP premium assistance through the Ministry of Health.

In addition, BCDO’s kindergarten vision program, Eye See … Eye Learn®, provides kindergarten students with a comprehensive eye exam fully covered by MSP and, if needed, kindergarten students will receive one free pair of eyeglasses.

For more information on the current benefits provided for optometric services by MSP and the Optometry Payment Schedule, please refer to the Ministry of Health.

If you are a resident of B.C., you must have a health card to show that you are entitled to health care services paid for by MSP.

To ensure the security of your personal information, please do not email inquiries about your account that include personal information such as your Personal Health Number, MSP Account Number, address etc., as a response will not be sent.