No more fee-based physician program: B.C. Medical Services Commission reaches deal with Telus Health
The B.C. Medical Services Commission and Telus Health have reached an agreement, after the commission went looking for an injunction over alleged contraventions of the Medicare Protection Act.
Health Minister Adrian Dix announced the deal on Wednesday.
"To ensure compliance going forward, Telus will no longer offer physician services to new clients through its LifePlus program," Dix said.
Dix said Telus will separate the services that can be charged back to the Medical Services Plan from the LifePlus program. That means those who have paid for the program already will no longer have access to physician services through LifePlus, but rather through Telus Health. In that way, they will maintain access to a family doctor.
In a statement, Juggy Sihota, chief growth officer for Telus Health, said the two parties had come to an agreement.
"This agreement will see the MSC withdrawing its petition against LifePlus and Telus Health modifying some of the program’s operational processes over time to ensure a clearer delineation between insured and uninsured care delivery while maintaining continuity of care for its clients," the statement reads.
In February 2022, the Medical Services Commission began investigating Telus' fee-based LifePlus program. In December 2022, the commission sought an injunction against Telus Health.
At that time, Sihota denied any wrongdoing.
“The LifePlus program is a small, preventative service,” said Sihota at the time.
“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.”
The commission asked for an injunction, alleging Telus charged for services covered under MSP. It's unclear if the company is accepting that argument under the terms of the agreement.
When asked if Telus would need to pay a fine, Dix emphasized the deal focuses on making modifications to the program.
"It's not about punishing people," Dix said. "We're not going to send a whole bunch of people, take away their family doctor when they're getting physician services that are covered under the Medicare Protection Act in our health-care system."
The Green Party of B.C. first raised the issue of the Telus program in February 2022 in the legislature. Saanich MLA Adam Olsen said Wednesday that he was flabbergasted Telus won't face a financial penalty.
"We've seen this privatized health-care system under the NDP continue to grow despite their rhetoric (that) they support accessible equitable universal health care, so (we're) really surprised to see there aren't any penalties," Olsen said.
Dix said he was delighted with the agreement because the LifePlus program has been brought into compliance with Medicare Protection Act.
In a statement, the Medical Services Commission put other organizations with similar fee-for-service models on notice.
"This settlement should serve as an indicator to others who may be offering expensive, patient-funded health-care programs – that are charging for access, or priority access, to medically necessary health care – will be investigated."
As for the bigger problem of connecting people with family doctors, Dix promises a new rostering system will be up and running in July. The first priority, he said, is to connect those with the greatest need to a service provider. Given an estimated one million British Columbians are without a family doctor, that could take a while.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.