Adam Olsen says because nothing has been done to stop the fee-based systems, a gap has been created that’s being exploited
As another family-practice clinic that charges patients an annual fee begins taking on patients, Green Party MLA Adam Olsen is raising concerns that the province is allowing practices to exploit gaps in the public health-care system.
Olsen, representing Saanich North and the Islands, said this week that while Health Minister Adrian Dix has said he supports equal access to a universal primary health-care system, because nothing has been done to stop the fee-based systems, a gap has been created that’s being exploited. Health Minister Adrian Dix says he has asked the independent Medical Services Commission, which oversees the Medical Services Plan, to investigate these clinics for possible contravention of the Medical Protection Act or Canada Health Act. The commission includes three members from the Doctors of B.C., three from government and three from the public.
In response to Olsen’s comments in the legislature this week, Dix said the Medical Services Commission consistently takes action on violations, “including cases in the member’s riding.” Beta Therapeutics clinic director Samantha Rocha said she and her partner were forced to charge fees because of prohibitive operating costs.
Physicians who are not enrolled in MSP can order lab or diagnostic tests, but they are not payable by MSP and patients responsible for those costs are not eligible for reimbursement, according to MSP’s website concerning physician enrollment status.