Update for OHIP Patients

The press release on Monday November 22 has led to us receiving numerous questions from our patients about the status of the Ontario job action and OHIP appointments. We have compiled this list of the most frequently asked ones and we invite you to read through.

Is the Ontario Optometrist OHIP job action over? 

As much as we would like to say it is, at this time we are simply on pause. An agreement has not yet been reached between the Ontario Association of Optometrists and the provincial government. 

Are you currently seeing OHIP insured patients without a deal in place? 

Yes, the Ontario Association of Optometrists have entered into negotiations with the provincial government and as a gesture of good faith we are welcoming our OHIP patients back in order of priority. 

As an OHIP patient should I reach out to book an eye exam? 

No need to reach out at this time! We will call you. We are first making our way through the list of impacted appointments and making sure those patients in critical need of time sensitive vision care are offered the first available appointments. 

Are you accepting new OHIP patients? 

Not at this time as we are prioritizing the patients with existing appointments that were cancelled due to job action. 

Are you keeping a cancellation list? 

Yes, if you are an existing OHIP patient, we have an active cancellation list that we make sure to go to when next day appointments come available. 

Will we be going back on job action? How much notice will we get if we do? 

It’s possible that we will have to go back to job action if this round of negotiations is not productive and unlikely to produce a fair deal. If we must return to job action, notice may be very short. We hope that this does not happen and we will give as much notice as possible.

Once again, we thank you for your kindness and support through Job Action as well as your ongoing patience as we catch up with appointments. If you don’t see your question answered above, please reach us through email at info@merivale.net