If approved, changes would take effect October 1, 2019
There could soon be changes to how a person is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) when travelling outside of Canada.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is proposing to end OHIP coverage for emergency services arising while outside the country for Ontarians travelling outside of Canada.
A spokeswoman for Health Minister Christine Elliott says the government is reviewing the program as part of efforts to address the province's $11.7-billion deficit.
Currently the Out-of-Country Travellers Program (OOC Travellers Program) provides reimbursement at the following rates for services required to treat conditions that are acute, unexpected, arose outside Canada, and require immediate treatment.
For out-of-country inpatient services:• a maximum of $400/day for higher level of care (e.g. Intensive Care Unit, operating room);• a maximum of $200/day for any other level of care;Otherwise:• $50/day for outpatient services; and• $210 for renal dialysis.
According to the provincial government, the reimbursement rates have not increased in over 20 years.
It is suggested in the proposal that "Ontarians who decide to travel outside of Canada may continue to seek the best, most comprehensive coverage from travel insurance companies who already cover 94% of reimbursement for eligible costs related to emergency care services out of country."
This proposal does not affect current publicly funded health care coverage for Ontarians travelling in other parts of Canada.
In addition, the ministry is proposing to end OHIP coverage for osteopath services provided out-of-province. The profession of osteopathy in Ontario, was revoked on October 25, 2004, and as a result osteopathy is no longer recognized as a regulated health profession in Ontario.
In a release, the Ontario NDP call the proposed changes “alarming" and say "Ford’s proposed change to OHIP coverage for Ontarians traveling out of country fits a disturbing pattern of this government bypassing public consultation as it tries to force through rapid changes to our health care system."
"What’s more, attempting to push through changes to OHIP with a mere six-day window for public consultation shows this government has little regard for Ontarians’ input," says The NDP’s Health Care critic, France Gélinas.
In the proposal, April 24th is listed as the posting day and the comments due date is April 30th.
If approved changes would take effect October 1, 2019.