Following several months of focused work to address the impacts of private insurance decisions on our members, we have made steady progress on a number of issues.

The AAO has established this Task Force to coordinate work on delistings, opened discussions with the Canadian Health and Life Insurance Association (CHLIA) and government representatives, and partnered with the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) to ensure this issue is addressed at the national level. We have also developed practical tools to help members navigate audits and delisting processes.

Because of this work, Alberta is well positioned to contribute to a broader national approach to private insurance issues affecting optometrists.

Now that the Task Force is established, priorities are clear and the work is underway. We are adjusting the schedule for members updates accordingly. Going forward, the Task Force will meet monthly and updates from the Chair will be shared toward the end of each month.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me or AAO staff if you have questions, comments, or items you would like the Task Force to consider between meetings.

New Resources Now Available

Several new resources have been added to the Private Insurance Task Force page. I encourage you to take a look, and please feel free to share them with colleagues who may find them helpful. These are practical tools that can be especially valuable for clinics facing an audit or delisting.

• Internal audit checklist: Designed to support clinics that receive an audit or delisting notice from a private health insurer. This checklist can help structure your response and support any appeal process.
• Secret shopper encounter template: A tool to document suspected secret shopper interactions, which may be helpful if an audit or delisting follows.
• Frequently Asked Questions: As we continue to hear recurring questions and identify answers, we’ve gathered them into a dedicated FAQ section on the Task Force page. 

Have You Been Delisted?

We encourage any clinics that have been delisted — whether by the original insurer or an additional one — to share their experience with us. On the Task Force page, you’ll find a dedicated tracker that the Association uses to monitor delistings.

This tool isn’t about identifying mistakes or wrongdoing; it helps us build a clearer picture of how insurers are handling these situations. Having this information is incredibly important, as it strengthens our ability to advocate for meaningful change on behalf of our members.

If you would prefer not to use the tracker, you are always welcome to reach out directly to me as Chair or the AAO staff.

Collaboration and Allied Health Professions Webinar

It was wonderful to see such strong participation from optometrists, dentists, and chiropractors at the February 4 webinar. Together, we explored the importance of internal audits, how to conduct them effectively, and practical considerations related to delistings. This marks the start of deeper collaboration as our associations work with the CHLIA on shared concerns. 

The webinar is available for viewing for a limited time and can be viewed on the Private Insurance Task Force page by clicking the button below.

We are hearing reports of an increase in delistings in Ontario. The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) has connected with Alberta to seek guidance and explore collaboration. We will continue to look for strategic opportunities to work alongside our counterparts and leverage broader engagement to help address areas of mutual concern. 

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to engage with us on this important issue. It is encouraging to notice results of our efforts including seeing CHLIA take our feedback more seriously. Your input and experiences continue to shape our direction and motivate our efforts to find meaningful solutions.

Warm regards,

Dr. Pamela Giles

Chair, AAO Private Insurance Task Force

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