B.C. doctor asks for $125 monthly retainer fee, re-igniting health-care debate
A family physician in Victoria is asking patients for a monthly fee of $125 to access enhanced services such as longer appointments and home visits – re-igniting debate about British Columbians' access to health-care.
A letter from Dr. Perpetua Nwosu outlining the changes, which was obtained by CTV news, says those who pay the fee can have longer appointments and discuss multiple concerns, and may be eligible for home visits. The money will go toward administrative and operational costs, including recruiting mental health counsellors and nurses to be part of the team.
CTV News spoke to a patient who wished to remain anonymous, who said she couldn't afford to pay the fee.
Nwosu didn't answer questions from CTV News on Monday. On Facebook she explained, "I will work with a team of professionals, all under my supervision for the vision of family medicine I was trained in. The family medicine that stays with you from birth until you take your last breath."
Victoria resident Barb McMillan said she thought the idea was “terrible.”
"It really erodes our health system here in Canada," McMillan added.
Doctors can charge what are called “block fees,” but only for what's not covered by the Medical Services Plan – and they must be optional. A practice standard from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. states, "Registrants who offer this option must not require that a patient pay the block fee before accessing an insured or uninsured service; treat or offer to treat patients preferentially because they agree to paying a block fee; or, terminate a patient or refuse to accept a new patient because the individual chooses not to pay a block fee."
Health Minister Adrian Dix said the Medical Services Commission is now reviewing this case.
"I don't know what this doctor is doing, specifically. That's an issue for the commission,” he said. "The rule in general is that such extra billing is not allowed."
The commission's mandate is to ensure access to quality health-care in B.C., and is made up of three government officials, three representatives from the Doctors of B.C. and three people representing the public.
A government website states patients can't be denied service if they don't pay and should be given the choice to pay them as they occur or through a block fee.
The site goes on to state charges aren't allowed for things like gowns, rental charges for instruments and facilities, but are permitted for therapeutic drugs, devices like splints and crutches, as well as extensive dressings.
Nowuso isn't the first doctor to charge patients an additional fee.
The Riverview Medical Clinic in Kamloops asks for $179 a year for one person, or $289 for a family, to cover what MSP doesn't.
A different, and more expensive option is Telus Health's Lifeplus Program, which costs more than $4,500 a year for priority access to a multidisciplinary care team that will create a custom care plan. That program is also under review by the Medical Services Commission.
Telus noted the program doesn’t charge for access to public family doctors, and said its focus is primarily on employer-focused programs.
"TELUS Health fully supports and is committed to publicly funded health-care as the foundation of our health-care system in Canada," a spokesperson said in an email.
A physician in Saanich, Dr. Jennifer Lush, said the practice of billing for what isn't covered may become more common as many doctors face expensive overhead and other costs.
"Until such time the government chooses to compensate doctors adequately to provide the exceptional care we provide we're going to see more and more doctors coming up with such strategies," she told CTV News.
Dix said the province is in discussions to change the compensation model for doctors.
McMillan has a family doctor and considers herself lucky, but urged government to do more.
"I think you should pay him a lot more. I charge $150/hour for counselling and he gets, what, 30-something to see me. Both have nine years of education. It's not fair"
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.