Quebec optometrists threaten to pull out of public health system on Nov. 22

An association representing optometrists in the province is negotiating with the Quebec government to establish the fees paid to them for services by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec.   (Megan Farmer/The Associated Press - image credit)
An association representing optometrists in the province is negotiating with the Quebec government to establish the fees paid to them for services by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec. (Megan Farmer/The Associated Press - image credit)

A large majority of Quebec's optometrists plan to withdraw from the public health insurance system next month, if they can't come to an agreement with the provincial government.

This would force many Quebecers to pay for services that are currently covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

In a statement issued Wednesday morning, the Association des optométristes du Québec (AOQ), which represents about 1,500 members, said 85 per cent of its members have decided to pull out of the RAMQ on Nov. 22 "following the failure of negotiations" with the provincial government.

Both sides have been unable to renew their five-year fee agreement, which expired in 2020.

This agreement sets the rates and conditions for optometrists' participation in the public health plan.

That plan covers people who are under 18, at least 65 years old and other people who receive social assistance.

"Optometry services will continue to be available, but people currently covered by the public plan will no longer be covered as of Nov. 22 and will have to pay for the services, which we regret," said AOQ president Dr. Guillaume Fortin.

He says the move would affect at least 55 per cent of optometrist patients.

Fortin says operating costs have risen at three times the pace of the increase in the government's service fees.

According to the association's statement, the fees for optometry services paid by the RAMQ represent 0.16 per cent of the province's health-care budget, which every year represents about $11 per Quebecer.

"Our fee per RAMQ patient visit is now only $3.50," said Fortin.

"We are asking for reasonable and fair treatment, so that we can continue to play our role throughout Quebec and help to relieve congestion in the system, not least by treating some 180,000 eye emergencies every year," he added.

Health Minister Christian Dubé says there is still time before the Nov. 22 deadline.

"They didn't threaten to do it tomorrow. They threatened to do it in November. So I think this is part of their pressure tactics and we'll let the negotiations unfold," Dubé said.