Are Eye Exams, Glasses and Contacts Covered by Your HSA in Canada?

Your HSA covers a broad range of vision expenses, from your annual eye exam to glasses, contacts, and laser eye surgery.

Unlike most health expenses which are purely service-based, vision care includes both the appointment and the products prescribed at it.

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What's Covered

Eye exams paid to a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist are eligible. So are the following, provided they are prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist:

• Prescription eyeglasses, including both frames and lenses
• Prescription sunglasses
• Contact lenses
• Prescription swimming goggles
• Laser eye surgery

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The Prescription Requirement

Glasses and contacts must be prescribed to qualify. Over-the-counter reading glasses from a pharmacy or drugstore are not eligible, nor are non-prescription sunglasses.

The same applies to contacts. Purely cosmetic or coloured lenses without a corrective prescription do not qualify.

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Provincial Eligibility

Optometrists are recognized as authorized practitioners across every province and territory in Canada.

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What to Keep

For glasses, contacts, and other prescribed vision products, keep both the prescription and the receipt showing the items purchased and amount paid. For eye exams and laser eye surgery, a receipt from the provider showing the date and amount is sufficient. Submit through your Hiveworks account and claim any unpaid balance after other coverage.

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