Health

N.S. losing out on health transfers as private medical imaging grows

Susan Hart was tired of waiting. After injuring her knee last March, she was in pain and unable to fully move around. Despite receiving a referral for an MRI in April, months passed without an appointment. Her knee was swollen, painful, warm to the touch, and made a crunching sound whenever she tried to move it. This left her mostly housebound and frustrated.

By August, she had had enough. Susan decided to take matters into her own hands and paid for a private MRI. Within a week, she had an appointment at a private clinic in Halifax and paid $1,145 for the scan on her right knee. The results confirmed her suspicions – a torn meniscus. She is now on a waitlist to see a surgeon.

However, according to the federal government, no Canadian should have to pay out of pocket for medically necessary MRIs or any diagnostic imaging services. This has led to Ottawa penalizing Nova Scotia and other provinces for allowing patients to pay for these services. Over the past two years, more than $3 million has been clawed back from Nova Scotia’s health transfer payments due to this issue.

Although the deductions are a small fraction of Nova Scotia’s total health transfer payment, they have a significant impact on individuals like Susan who have to pay for essential services. Depending on the clinic and type of imaging, the cost can vary. Two years ago, the average cost of an ultrasound was $500, and an MRI was over $800.

For Susan, the cost was worth it as it saved her time. She received a letter from the health authority offering her an MRI appointment in February, six months after she had already received her private scan. While half of patients in Nova Scotia get an MRI within 80 days of referral, some can wait over 14 months.

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As private clinics multiply in Nova Scotia, the potential for larger clawbacks from the federal government increases. To avoid future penalties, the province needs to find a way to eliminate patient charges for diagnostic imaging services. Other provinces like Alberta and Quebec have successfully contracted private clinics to ensure that the bill goes to the provincial health insurer instead of the patient.

Henry Madubuobi, CEO of Wosler Diagnostics, believes that publicly funding these services benefits both patients and the province. His clinic in Halifax aims to reduce wait times and ensure access to medically necessary services. However, the province must address the shortage of ultrasound technologists to prevent bottlenecks in the system.

In addition to diagnostic imaging, Ottawa is also cracking down on private health services that charge patients for primary care. By next spring, provinces and territories must eliminate patient fees at clinics offering primary care through nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and midwives. Failure to comply will result in deductions to the federal health transfer.

One example of this new policy is Bluenose Health, a private clinic in Nova Scotia that offers primary care through nurse practitioners. Patients currently pay a monthly subscription fee, but the clinic’s CEO, Randy Stevens, is lobbying for a model where the province covers the cost. This shift would ensure that all Nova Scotians have access to essential primary care services without financial barriers.

Overall, the push to eliminate patient charges for essential health services is gaining momentum in Nova Scotia. The province is in discussions with Ottawa to find a reimbursement plan and avoid future clawbacks. By aligning with other provinces’ successful models, Nova Scotia can ensure that all residents have timely access to the care they need.

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