'Mistakes happen': Health minister says patients have recourse if charged inappropriately
The provincial government is advising there is recourse for those who believe they've been wrongfully billed for healthcare services.
Speaking in Muncey on Thursday, Ontario Health Minister and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones addressed the issue for those patients who think they have been unlawfully billed for OHIP-covered services at a private health clinic.
“We do the investigation within the Ministry of Health,” explained Jones. “Ultimately, if the patient is right and there was an inappropriate charge, they will receive that charge back.”
The response came in the wake of claims the provincial government opened the door for private clinics to profit from extra fees when it expanded certain procedures to the for-profit health sector last year.
“Mistakes happen,” said Jones. “People have a right to follow-up and make sure that they weren’t inappropriately charged. I will say we have the statistics to show it is a very, very small percentage of people who were inappropriately charged."
The minister made the comments at the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) in Muncey, where she also re-announced funding to expand primary health care teams throughout the region.
The government says it’s investing nearly $6.4 million to connect more than 23,000 people to primary care health teams in the London area, Lambton, and Chatham-Kent.
According to a Ministry of Health news release, the initiatives includes:
- New mobile services for an Indigenous Primary Health Care Organization that will support First Nations, Inuit and Metis community members in Middlesex County.
- A new mobile bus to connect Indigenous people in rural and urban areas of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex with Indigenous led, culturally relevant primary care services in person and virtually.
- A new Family Health Team for London and the surrounding area, that will expand services through additional Community Hub locations throughout the area. By meeting people where they are, and reducing other barriers, this program will help connect people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness with primary care providers that are trauma and violence informed.
- An expanded Family Health Team in Elgin County that will partner with another Family Health Team and Community Health Centre to increase the number of people who can connect to team-based primary care services.
- A new rural site along with expanded capacity at an urban clinic in Lambton County, focused on connecting isolated seniors, socioeconomically disadvantaged and vulnerable people, newcomers, and refugees to primary care.
- New mobile primary care services in Chatham-Kent, including clinics for respiratory and diabetes management, cancer screening and traditional healers to help provide culturally appropriate care.
- Primary care service expansion in Tillsonburg to connect vulnerable and medically complex community members to comprehensive, convenient and connected primary care closer to home.
“Within our traditional healing program, our focus extends beyond just treatment,” said Marissa Kennedy, the traditional healing manager of SOAHAC. “It encompasses a comprehensive understanding of healing as a spiritual journey."
Christi-Ann Poulette, the integrated care manager at SOAHAC, stressed the need for primary care is great.
"SOAHAC’s ability to enhance our holistic, culturally aware, safe care is vital for the well-being of the individuals we support,” said Poulette.
Jones also spent time Thursday campaigning with Steve Pinsonneault, the PC candidate for the upcoming by-election in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most wanted fugitive in Canada arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The most wanted fugitive in Canada was arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Tuesday night.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse
Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.
BREAKING London Drugs stores remain closed for 4th straight day after 'cybersecurity incident'
Dozens of London Drugs stores in Western Canada remained closed for the fourth straight day following a "cybersecurity incident."
No criminal charges after 4 newborn bodies found in Boston freezer
A prosecutor in Massachusetts won't seek criminal charges against anyone, two years after four newborns were found in a freezer in a South Boston apartment.