Vision
Cataracts
What is covered?
IOL Master exams
- 100% up to $100 every year (January 1 to December 31)
This is an extremely important exam to get before your cataract surgery. It allows the eye surgeon to select the right lens for implantation.
Post-cataract surgery eye drops
- 100% up to $250 lifetime maximum
Cataract surgery is covered by your provincial health insurance.
To claim for these expenses, you will need to complete a claim form for medical devices, not vision.
Your IOL Master exams coverage resets every year on January 1.
If you reach the IOL Master exam plan maximum partway through the year, the full coverage amount will again be available to you on January 1.
For Example:
Alison has cataracts and had an IOL Master exam on July 27, 2023. She submitted this claim:
Alison reached the IOL Master exam maximum after her appointment on July 27, 2023. She could use her Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) to help cover the outstanding cost and a second appointment before January 1, 2024—in full or in part.
Your post-cataract surgery eye drops coverage maximum is a lifetime maximum and does not reset at the beginning of the calendar year.
Once the lifetime maximum is reached, additional post-cataract surgery eye drop expenses will not be covered.
For Example:
Doris is getting cataract surgery for her right eye next year. This year, she received cataract surgery for her left eye, and after the surgery, she was prescribed eye drops that cost $150.
Doris can also use her Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) to help cover the cost—in full or in part—once the $250 lifetime maximum has been reached.
