The province is deferring some controversial OHIP fee cuts and setting up an expert panel to study concerns doctors have about them.
Cuts in self-referral fees, which were supposed to take effect Sunday, will be suspended until after the panel reports back to the province later this summer, said Zita Astravas, press secretary to Health Minister Deb Matthews.
“The minister has always said we will do what’s right for patients and that includes working with doctors on the implementation of the self-referral fee change. We’ve heard from frontline doctors and as a result we’re setting up this expert panel,” she said Tuesday.
The province had originally planned to cut self-referral fees in half. Self-referrals occur when specialists deem diagnostic testing necessary and do it themselves. They then bill OHIP for the service.
Doctors have been warning the cuts would result in dangerous delays in diagnosing illness, less access to specialists and more travel for patients in small communities.
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Canada News: Some cuts to OHIP fees will be delayed, say Liberals - thestar.com
Cuts in self-referral fees, which were supposed to take effect Sunday, will be suspended until after the panel reports back to the province later this summer, said Zita Astravas, press secretary to Health Minister Deb Matthews.
“The minister has always said we will do what’s right for patients and that includes working with doctors on the implementation of the self-referral fee change. We’ve heard from frontline doctors and as a result we’re setting up this expert panel,” she said Tuesday.
The province had originally planned to cut self-referral fees in half. Self-referrals occur when specialists deem diagnostic testing necessary and do it themselves. They then bill OHIP for the service.
Doctors have been warning the cuts would result in dangerous delays in diagnosing illness, less access to specialists and more travel for patients in small communities.
more
Canada News: Some cuts to OHIP fees will be delayed, say Liberals - thestar.com