Beginning next year, cataract patients in B.C. who wish to purchase foldable intraocular lenses will be able to do so directly from their health authority at standardized pricing that will reflect provincial buying power with savings passed on to patients.

In British Columbia, rigid lenses are the insured implant and provided to patients free of charge, while patients who opt instead for foldable lenses are charged the difference. Current evidence does not show that foldable lenses have an advantage over rigid lenses when it comes to patient safety.

Previously, patients purchased comparable foldable lenses directly from their surgeons at a wide range of prices from about $250 to $500 - and in some instances patients are being offered alternatives costing up to $1,900. Health authorities will sell lenses on a cost-recovery basis, with no mark-up or profit; the cost to the patient will depend on the model of lens purchased.

Health authorities will now manage the supply of both insured and non-insured lenses through Health Shared Services BC. This change will standardize lens prices throughout the province, save patients money, and will improve patient safety by ensuring that health authorities can consistently track all the lenses, so that patients can be notified if there is a problem with the lens in the future.

This move is in line with current Ministry of Health policy, requiring that all chargeable devices be purchased directly through the health authority. The change is expected to be complete by April 2012.

Patients needing cataract surgery do not need to pay any out-of-pocket expenses for their care. Standard lenses are covered 100 per cent by the public health-care system - patients will only pay if they choose to purchase non-medically necessary lenses.

The next step will be establishing a direct purchasing agreement with existing suppliers that will determine the new price patients will pay for enhanced lenses.

Quotes:

Dr. Heidi M. Oetter, registrar, College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. -

"We fully support this decision to have health authorities manage the supply of both insured and non-insured intraocular lenses - it will benefit patients by providing them with a safe and secure product at a consistent price, which will result in savings."

Michael de Jong, Minister of Health -

"We are addressing inequalities in the system by standardizing the cost of foldable lens for cataract patients, regardless of where they live or where they had their surgery. This approach benefits patients as it will reduce the cost of lenses."

Quick Facts:

• In 2010-11, there were 51,887 cataract surgeries performed in British Columbia. Approximately 95 per cent of patients opted to receive non-standard lenses.
• The costs that patients have been paying for foldable lenses range from $250 up to $500 for comparable products to rigid lens. In some instances, patients are also being offered lenses with additional qualities with costs up to $1,900.
• If the patient's physician advises that foldable lenses are medically necessary, they will be covered through the public health system and the patient will not have to pay the additional charge.
• Newer rigid lenses are comparable to foldable lenses in that they do not require sutures and have features which have been shown to reduce complications from cataract surgery and are associated with improved outcomes compared to the older lenses.
• Health Shared Services BC finds opportunities and delivers back-office programs for health authorities throughout the province to improve cost-effectiveness and enhance service quality, thereby ensuring health authorities get the most value for the money they spend.
• HSSBC has the legal mandate to work as an agent on behalf of all the health authorities.

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Fraser Health Media Pager
604 450-7881
media@fraserhealth.ca
www.fraserhealth.ca