B.C.'s medical watchdog seeking injunction against Telus Health program
British Columbia's Medical Services Commission has applied for an injunction against a Telus Health program, alleging its billing model contravenes the province's Medicare Protection Act.
The LifePlus service, which was reviewed by the commission earlier this year, has been described as creating a "two-tiered" system by charging for services that should be covered under the B.C.'s medical services plan.
Health Minister Adrian Dix announced the application for an injunction Thursday.
"Earlier this year, I directed the Medical Services Commission to review Telus Health following complaints made by the public of illegal extra billing," he said at a news conference held Thursday afternoon.
"It is very important to uphold the Medicare Protection Act, which is in place to preserve our publicly managed and fiscally sustainable health-care system for British Columbia. Access to necessary medical care should be based on need and not an individual's ability to pay."
The findings of the review are not publicly available and the BC Greens have demanded they be released.
A representative from Telus Health says the company was blindsided.
“To not, at this point, be given an opportunity to even have a discussion, to even get a response on our inquiries, to say, 'If there’s something that you think is not right let us know, we will fix it.' We’re blind right now on that, and I think that’s very disrespectful and quite a shame,” said Juggy Sihota, vice president of consumer health for Telus Health.
Dix doesn’t see it that way.
“The process requires an exchange of information and information received, and it has done over the last number of months with Telus Health and others,” said Dix.
One expert tells CTV News the timing of the injunction application comes when the province is facing a severe doctor shortage.
“These type of two-tier-health-care models, where access is based on your wallet and the ability to pay, is going to be moving and siphoning health-care providers and – in this case – primarily family physicians, out of a system that’s based on need,” said Andrew Longhurst, a health policy researcher at Simon Fraser University.
Telus Health claims it isn’t knowingly breaking any rules.
“The LifePlus program is a small, preventative service,” said Sihota. “We do not charge for primary care services with our LifePlus service. Our fee is preventative health, uninsured services like dieticians, kinesiologist, health and wellness services.”
Sihota says LifePlus has approximately 4,000 users and 25 doctors.
Dix says the Medical Services Commission will argue its case for an injunction in the coming weeks, but wouldn’t provide any details of the filings as it’s now before the court.
Telus Health, meanwhile, isn’t backing down.
“We welcome the legal proceedings,” said Sihota. “We welcome the opportunity to make sure that the right facts and details are shared. So expect that.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
'Be very, very careful': Wildfire conditions 'still extreme,' says Alberta fire chief
As wildfire conditions remain 'extreme' in northern Alberta, residents are being urged to be extra cautious and follow a fire ban.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
COMING UP @ 3:30 P.M. City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate outside of taxi bylaw, judge rules
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.