Fees associated with provincial public health plan to be scrapped
Following through on a promise he made last September, Quebec Health Minister Gaétan Barrette has confirmed that most auxiliary fees for health care services will be banned later this month.
CBC News reports that on Jan. 26, Quebec patients will be freed from user fees for a wide range of services and treatments, covering everything from nasal drops to ultrasounds. Some specific fees to be abolished are fees for eye drops ($20 to $300), IUD insertion ($125 to $200), and instruments and medication for a colonoscopy ($500).
Specialists affected by the policy have criticized Barrette, who brushed off their comments saying that he is committed to improving access to the health care system. “The public is pleased about this announcement. They are getting what they wanted,” Barrette told CBC News.
Right for Health, a health care advocacy group operating out of the Pointe–Saint-Charles Community Clinic, has promised to monitor how the abolition of fees will play out. Genevieve McCready and other members of the group have set up an online registry aimed at looking out for illegal and abusive billing practices in medical clinics throughout the province.
While confirming that fees associated with the provincial public health insurance plan (RAMQ) are to be eliminated, McCready is still concerned about practices that the new rules don’t cover, such as charging as much as $80 to fill out medical forms. Doctors may also find new ways to circumvent the restriction on auxiliary fees.
“We will be monitoring and receiving testimonies from people in the next few weeks,” McCready said.
Effective Jan. 26, doctors will only be allowed to charge extra fees for the transport of biological samples from a private clinic or specialist, which will cost $15 for a blood sample and $5 for all other types of samples.
Related stories:
Quebec health minister, radiologists at odds over publicly funded ultrasounds
Quebec government move to bring pharmacy fees in line
CBC News reports that on Jan. 26, Quebec patients will be freed from user fees for a wide range of services and treatments, covering everything from nasal drops to ultrasounds. Some specific fees to be abolished are fees for eye drops ($20 to $300), IUD insertion ($125 to $200), and instruments and medication for a colonoscopy ($500).
Specialists affected by the policy have criticized Barrette, who brushed off their comments saying that he is committed to improving access to the health care system. “The public is pleased about this announcement. They are getting what they wanted,” Barrette told CBC News.
Right for Health, a health care advocacy group operating out of the Pointe–Saint-Charles Community Clinic, has promised to monitor how the abolition of fees will play out. Genevieve McCready and other members of the group have set up an online registry aimed at looking out for illegal and abusive billing practices in medical clinics throughout the province.
While confirming that fees associated with the provincial public health insurance plan (RAMQ) are to be eliminated, McCready is still concerned about practices that the new rules don’t cover, such as charging as much as $80 to fill out medical forms. Doctors may also find new ways to circumvent the restriction on auxiliary fees.
“We will be monitoring and receiving testimonies from people in the next few weeks,” McCready said.
Effective Jan. 26, doctors will only be allowed to charge extra fees for the transport of biological samples from a private clinic or specialist, which will cost $15 for a blood sample and $5 for all other types of samples.
Related stories:
Quebec health minister, radiologists at odds over publicly funded ultrasounds
Quebec government move to bring pharmacy fees in line
