Alberta’s government says a Calgary Medical Clinic charging its patients ‘ fees for faster access to a doctor is a distinction and will take action against any clinic that follows suit.
Alberta Health spokesman Scott Johnston said there are 13 clinics in the province that charge membership fees for medical services, but they do not provide faster access to services paid for by taxpayers.
Such non-insured services can include everything from chiropractic work to nutrition counseling.
“All assessments made to date have confirmed that these (13) clinics are operating in accordance with (Canada’s Health Act),” Johnston said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Many of these clinics have operated in Alberta for decades, including while the NDP (current opposition) was in government, and do not offer preferential access to services provided.”
Johnston said the investigation continues into the Marda Loop Medical Clinic and stressed that similar action will be taken against other clinics seeking to implement such a membership fee plan.
The clinic has told its patients that, starting Tuesday, it will still see patients for free one day a week. The other four days will be dedicated to patients who pay annual membership fees like $ 2,200 for an individual and $ 4,800 for a family.
For this money, the clinic promises faster access to the clinic’s doctor, along with other benefits and services, including extended sessions, home blood tests and discounts on related services like physiotherapy.
Dr. Sally Talbot-Jones, the clinic’s owner and physician, declined requests for an interview and on Wednesday morning said the clinic would now speak through a communications firm.
A Marda Loop patient leaving the clinic on Wednesday morning spoke about the situation, but asked to remain anonymous for concern of losing her doctor.
The patient said she understands whether doctors need to find ways to pay their bills amid rising overall costs, but her medical needs are complex and will not be met if she has to rely on a walk-in clinic.
“Medicare is not free. We pay it with our tax dollars, so I’ve already paid once, ” she said.
She said she wants to see what the investigation results from before deciding whether to pay the membership fee.
“I would like to know what the last word is before I receive $ 5,000 of my hard-earned dollars,” she said.
“Either way, I still want to stay as her patient because she’s a good doctor.
“I doubt I can find anyone else, anyway.”
The new program was communicated to Marda Loop patients via a recent email. There is no mention on the clinic’s website, and the provincial regulator, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, said this week that it was not required to review the new clinic fee model before implementation.
In the email to patients, Talbot-Jones characterized the move as” a transformative health care initiative ” to provide better service while reducing stress, lost time and productivity due to prolonged waits to see a doctor.
“You and your family should not sacrifice your time or finances because of inadequate access to health care,” Talbot-Jones wrote.
On Tuesday, Health Canada advised the Conservative United Government of Prime Minister Danielle Smith that the Marda Loop membership plan violates the provision of the Health Canada Act that provided medical services will be provided on an equal playing field for all.
The agency says Alberta has multiple options to remedy the situation, such as through policy or legislation, but failure to do so risks a reduction in federal health transfer payments.
Smith made a manifesto pledge at the last election that Albertans would not pay to see a family doctor. In a statement Tuesday, she said her government is investigating and will take action against Marda Loop if it confirms a violation of medicare rules.
Johnston said the investigation will be updated as the findings come out.
The Opposition NDP is calling on the province to pass legislation to prevent salary plans like the Marda Loop membership fee.
The NDP, along with advocacy organization Friends of Medicare, says the Marda Loop plan threatens a catastrophic domino effect for patients who can’t pay but still need primary care, not to mention referrals for more complex tests and procedures.
—
This report by Canadian Press was first published on July 26, 2023.
#Albertas #government #clinic #offering #faster #doctor #access #fee #segregated