There is clearly a gap between traditional group vision care coverage and current best practices, which have been dramatically transformed by access to new technologies, says Dr. Harry Bohnsack, optometrist, and Vice President of the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO). Dr. Bohnsack recently joined presenters from Green Shield Canada and Canada Life in speaking to a group of mostly insurer and advisor representatives at the February 2021 Benefits Breakfast Club webinar on the changing risk landscape in employee benefits.
Polling and evaluation results provide keen insights into a vision care knowledge gap. In a pre-presentation poll, nearly two-thirds of participants were unfamiliar with technological advances in vision care that facilitate optometrists’ ability to detect, monitor and manage eye disease as well as detect evidence of systemic disease.
According to Dr. Bohnsack, by 2030 vision loss will cost $30 billion annually, the highest direct health care costs of any disease category in Canada, 75% of which is treatable or preventable. Current vision care plan design does not support sufficient reimbursement to achieve otherwise attainable treatment and prevention levels.
Visual field tests and retinal imaging help optometrists diagnose eye disease early, thereby reducing the risk of permanent vision loss and reducing disability.
Diabetes, age related macular degeneration (AMD), dry eye and glaucoma are ‘the big four’ diseases that threaten vision. These diseases can first present somewhere between the ages of 40 to 55, affecting employees in their prime working years, and should be of particular concern to plan sponsors.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists issued a Best Practices Guide for Vision Care Benefits in 2020. The recommendations in the Guide propose changes to current vision care and extended health plan design that result in modest increases in health care premiums and ensure comprehensive coverage for diagnosis and treatment of eye disease earlier in their progression.
Attendees at Dr. Bohnsack’s February 2021 presentation were receptive to his insightful presentation. Eighty four percent of respondents rated the need for vision care changes as one of their top three takeaways from the morning session.
Attendees at Dr. Bohnsack’s February 2021 presentation were receptive to his insightful presentation. Eighty four percent of respondents rated the need for vision care changes as one of their top three takeaways from the morning session.