Does MSP cover eye exams for seniors?
Yes. If you’re 65 and older and eligible for provincial healthcare, the British Columbia Medical Services Plan covers eye exams.
If you need “medically necessary” eye exams – for example, your family doctor suspects you might have glaucoma – those are also covered by MSP.
How does MSP cover eye exams for seniors?
If you’re 65 or older and eligible for provincial healthcare coverage in British Columbia, MSP covers one routine eye exam every 12 months.
You’ll need to see an optometrist who is enrolled with MSP. You’ll show them your Services BC card, and they will bill MSP directly.
It’s illegal for an optometrist who is enrolled with MSP to charge you extra money for an eye exam that’s covered by your government health benefits.
You don’t need a referral for a routine eye exam that’s covered by MSP.
Does MSP cover prescription glasses or contacts for seniors?
No, MSP does not cover prescription lenses for seniors.
This means that seniors must pay out of pocket if they need glasses or contacts.
One option to help cover this cost is private health insurance that includes vision coverage. Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance, for example, offers several plans with varying levels of vision coverage.
How does private health insurance help seniors cover vision costs not covered by MSP?
Private health insurance can help cover some of the out-of-pocket vision costs for seniors that aren’t covered by MSP.
For example, a senior goes to the eye doctor for their routine eye exam. That’s covered – but then they’re told they need corrective lenses.
A new pair of prescriptive glasses can cost $150. That’s not covered by the government.
But, if you have the popular Freedom to Choose Select plus plan, you get $200 every 2 years to use for glasses, contacts or even laser eye surgery.