Who pays for your eye exam: RAMQ, insurance and IFHP
For patients under 18 and 65 and over, RAMQ covers one complete eye exam a year: bring your health insurance card. For adults 18 to 64, the exam is often reimbursed by private insurance, and we bill most major insurers directly. Patients covered by the IFHP have nothing to arrange: we handle the claim. Some additional tests, such as retinal photos, are not covered by RAMQ. To find out what your plan covers, call us with your insurance card in hand.
Our optometrists do eye exams in Montréal at 9520 boulevard de l'Acadie, Suite 222, in Ahuntsic-Cartierville near Marché Central, in French and English.
Does RAMQ cover eye exams?
RAMQ covers one complete eye exam a year if you are under 18 or 65 and over. It also covers:
- One exam every two years for adults 18 to 64 who have been in a financial assistance program with a claim slip for at least 12 months
- Exams for people with a recognized visual impairment
- An emergency exam for a sudden eye problem, covered for everyone
Bring your valid health insurance card. If you are between 18 and 64, your eye exam is usually covered by private insurance instead. Details are on the RAMQ optometric services page.
How much does an eye exam cost in Québec?
It depends mostly on your age and your insurance. With a valid health insurance card, RAMQ covers one complete eye exam a year for patients under 18 and for those 65 and over. For most adults 18 to 64, the exam is covered by private insurance, and you pay only what your plan does not cover.
Coverage varies from plan to plan, so check your vision care amount with your insurer before your visit, or call us at 514-827-7463 with your insurance card in hand.
Do you bill my insurance directly?
Yes. We bill most major insurers directly, for eye exams as well as glasses and contact lenses. Bring your private insurance information to your appointment.
What does RAMQ not cover?
Even when your eye exam is covered, some services are not:
- Some additional tests, such as retinal photos and imaging. We will always tell you before doing one.
- During an emergency exam, according to the RAMQ, treatments (for example removing a foreign body or prescribing a medication) and supplemental tests used to establish a diagnosis.
Many private insurance plans cover eye exams and testing.
Is my child's eye exam covered by RAMQ?
Yes. RAMQ covers one complete eye exam a year for children under 18. Bring your child's valid Québec health insurance card to the appointment. RAMQ also offers a reimbursement toward glasses or contact lenses bought for a child under 18.
We recommend an eye exam every year for children and teens, since their vision changes quickly and they rarely complain when it does. For the signs to watch for and what happens during the exam, see our children's eye exams page.
Does RAMQ cover eye exams for seniors?
Yes. From 65, RAMQ covers one complete eye exam a year with your valid health insurance card. When needed, we add OCT imaging and visual field testing; imaging is one of the additional tests RAMQ does not cover, and we will tell you before doing it.
Do you accept the IFHP for eye exams?
Yes. We see patients covered by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) and take care of the claim for you, so you have nothing to arrange. To find out what your coverage includes, call us before your visit.
Is an emergency eye exam covered by RAMQ?
According to the RAMQ, emergency examinations performed by optometrists are covered for all insured persons experiencing a sudden eye problem, on presentation of a valid health insurance card. Its examples include conjunctivitis, inflammation of the eyelid and a foreign body on the surface of the eye. Some treatments and additional tests are not covered (see above).
Our optometrists see urgent eye problems during opening hours. For anything urgent, call 514-827-7463 instead of booking online, and we will tell you how soon we can see you. For what to do in the meantime and when to go to the hospital, see our emergency eye care page.
Is the SAAQ vision exam covered?
It depends on the licence. The RAMQ lists eye examinations to obtain a driver's licence for a bus, taxi, commercial or emergency vehicle among the services covered only for eligible persons, such as people under 18 or 65 and over. It lists examinations to obtain a licence for a passenger vehicle or motorcycle among the services not covered.
If the SAAQ asks you for an eye examination report, we do the vision test and complete the form during your visit. Bring the form the SAAQ sent you and your current glasses or contact lenses. Details are on our SAAQ vision exam page.
Are glasses and contact lenses covered?
For a child under 18, RAMQ offers a reimbursement toward glasses or contact lenses. Most private insurance plans cover part of the cost of prescription glasses every one or two years, and many plans cover contact lenses under vision care. We bill most major insurers directly for glasses and contact lenses, so you pay only the difference. See our prescription glasses and contact lenses pages.
What should I bring to my eye exam?
- Your valid health insurance card, or your child's card for a child's exam
- Your current glasses, and your contact lenses or their boxes if you wear them
- Any previous prescription you have
- Your private insurance information if you have a plan
- The SAAQ form, if the SAAQ asked you for a vision report
Questions about your coverage?
Call us at 514-827-7463 or book online with instant confirmation. We are open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See also what is included in our eye exams in Montréal, meet our optometrists in Montréal and find every way to reach us on our contact page.