Ontario optometrists 'shocked' that province leaked confidential mediation details

Ontario’s latest offer to optometrists was met with disbelief—not only because of its lowball figures but also because the province’s Ministry of Health disclosed details to the public. Dr. Sheldon Salaba, president of the Ontario Association of Optometrists, said he and other members of the profession are “shocked” by what he called a breach of process. “We were already shocked that the ministry waited until the 11th hour to start having communication with us, but we’re even more shocked that they went and released that information publicly because it was provided in the midst of a confidential mediation process,” Dr. Salaba told the Medical Post. “What you’re seeing is called negotiating in bad faith—the government is playing games, wasting critical time to get to the (negotiating) table,” he added. “And what you’re going to see is a service withdrawal that is imminent. It’s not going to be stopped.” On Aug. 23, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott tweeted a copy of a letter she had sent to all optometrists in the province. The letter, which is also posted on the ministry website, detailed the province’s offer, which included an immediate “catch-up” increase of 8.48% at the fee code level, retroactive to April 1, 2021, a one-time retroactive payment of $39 million to cover the last 10 years, and future fee increases to “align with increases provided to physicians under the upcoming Physician Services Agreement.” The ministry also promised to establish a mediator-supported working group with the OAO to help the province understand the overhead costs of delivering eye care, and committed to ongoing monthly meetings through a new optometry services review committee. Read: Coming up short: Why Ontario optometrists are disappointed with province's $39-million offer The proposed fee increase and retroactive payment of $39 million are so far below what is adequate, said Dr. Salaba. OHIP currently pays optometrists an average of $44.65 for an eye exam. By comparison, Manitoba—the second-worst province in the country for optometry insurance compensation—pays just under $80 for the same service. “It would require a 70% increase to our budget just to get us to the level of the next-worst province in the country,” said Dr. Salaba. “We have multiple data points that show that the cost of delivering an eye exam lands at $80, and that’s just to cover operating costs without any payment made to compensate the professional.” As for the $39-million payment to cover the past decade, Dr. Salaba said Ontario optometrists have performed almost 40 million eye exams during that period. “So that $39 million translates to about a buck an eye exam,” he said. “That doesn’t do anything to create a sustainable eye care system in the province.” In her August 23 letter to optometrists, Health Minister Elliott said she truly believed the province was making a “fair and reasonable” offer. “However, we are very concerned by the OAO’s response to our offer and their approach to this process, particularly their continued suggestion that they intend to withdraw services that many vulnerable Ontarians, including seniors, rely on,” said the letter. “Regardless of the OAO’s response to our offer, I want you to know that we intend to go ahead and distribute the $39 million retroactive lump sum payment to you before an agreement is even reached. We plan to flow you this payment directly as part of your monthly OHIP payment in October.” Media relations for the ministry was not able to provide an immediate response to an inquiry from The Medical Post. Read: Optometrists give province the stink eye

Ontario optometrists 'shocked' that province leaked confidential mediation details

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