Eye Exams | Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Cost: Paid by ISC via NIHB*
Frequency: Every 24 Months
Indigenous Services Canada Health Service program falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government of Canada and is part of the Non-Insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit (NIHB). This program provides Status First Nations, Inuit and Innu with health benefits that are not covered under other provincial programs such as eye exams, contact lenses and eyeglasses.
ISC and NIHB programs cover all eligible members for vision care benefits including eye exams and vision correction if required. The ISC benefits changed in 2020 to include a set about of funding which can be put towards eyeglasses or contact lenses every 2 years. Eligible members can now choose what kind of products they wish to purchase and are no longer required to choose from a limited selection of products.
ISC eligible members that are between the ages of 0-18 or 65+ are covered under other Alberta Health Care programs for their eye exams and are eligible for eye exams every 12 months. Eyeglass and contact lenses however may still be covered by the NIHB program.
IMPORTANT:
Authorizations through ISC can take 48-72hrs to process and we are unable to obtain authorizations on the weekend or late Friday afternoons. Please ensure that you inform our staff at the time of booking and call ahead if you wish to book an examination on the weekend.
All recipients must present a valid ISC or Status card, along with valid government-issued photo identification at the time of the eye exam for security reasons. This is a requirement of the programs.
If you wish to book last minute on a weekend, you can also pay for the services provided and submit your receipt for reimbursement via the NIHB (Express Scripts Canada Website). Please note that all fees however are charged at our normal customary rate and fees may not be 100% reimbursed.
Due to the turnaround time for authorizations through NIHB we are unable to take walk-in appointments. Patients that require a same-day eye exam may pay the regular professional fee and submit their receipts to NIHB for full or partial reimbursement.
For more information on benefits and services, please refer to the Indigenous Services Canada website.
Additional Optometry Services We Provide:
Contact Lenses - Starting from $20.00
A contact lens fitting or refitting can be performed on anyone interested in trying contact lenses for the first time, or someone simply wishing to try a new brand of contact lenses. Most contact lens fittings or refittings can occur at the same time as your eye exam.
Laser Eye Surgery Consultations - Additional fees apply
A laser eye surgery consultation can be performed on anyone who is interested in pursuing procedures such as PRK or LASIK. Our eye doctors will provide you with an unbiased pre-surgical evaluation and will forward your test results to any surgery centre of your choice. The laser eye surgery consultation examination includes a dilated retinal examination and cycloplegic eyeglass refraction.
Dilated Retinal Exam
A dilated retinal eye exam provides a more thorough examination of your overall eye health and retinal health. A dilated retinal eye exam is always performed in the case of reduced vision, visual concerns and individuals with diabetes, cataracts and high blood pressure. It may also be performed if your eye doctor spots any eye health condition that requires further examination. Dilated retinal examinations are usually covered under Alberta Health Care when medically necessary.
