Dear Editor:
In August of this year I received a letter from the Listowel Clinic Family Health Organization pertaining to “uninsured services and annual fee plans.” I was more than a little surprised by the information – as I believe most patients who received this information were.
There was a limited time period in which to respond to the information. After considering the list of “uninsured services” and the quoted fee for each service, I opted to pay the fee for annual coverage, which in my case totalled $96.05 ($85 fee + tax of $11.05) payable to an outfit called PatientSERV at 1140-3280 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON.
In the intervening months, the more I have thought about this, the more troubled I have become. Several aspects of this transaction and additional medical cost to patients concern me, and I have heard nothing about PatientSERV in any media coverage I follow.
It is my understanding that the Listowel Clinic Family Health Organization is part of the Listowel-Wingham and Area Family Health Team. In talking to friends in the area, I was concerned to learn that patients of the Wingham Family Health Team have to date received no such information regarding uninsured services and annual fee plans. Furthermore, in checking with family members who receive health care in the Ottawa area, the Dryden area and the London area, to date none have received information pertaining to uninsured services and fees. This leads me to the conclusion the initiation of this fee plan is the prerogative of individual physicians.
Being familiar with the area, over many years of observation, I can state without hesitation that I know of no other area more generous to the needs of health care than the people who support the services of Listowel Memorial Hospital and the health care professionals involved. I can also state without hesitation that people I have talked to are upset by this demand for fees. Did the Listowel Memorial Hospital Board or Foundation have any input into the decision to implement this fee program?
In reading the long list of “uninsured services” and the corresponding fee, I would ask how this list was prepared. I can’t imagine hard-working physicians and other health care workers at the Listowel Clinic having the time to do it.
One should never assume, but I do assume that this is a list prepared by PatientSERV. I also assume that this list and annual fee plan is now being pitched by PatientSERV to physicians and family health teams across this province.
Who or what is PatientSERV? According to information I received: “PatientSERV is a professional organization which assists Canadian physicians in the management of healthcare delivery services.” It further states: “Please note, uninsured services and annual fee plans are endorsed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.” This
latter statement is hardly reinsuring since it is the College of Physicians and Surgeons that for decades has controlled – one could even say restricted – the enrolment of medical students at universities throughout this province, resulting in the current shortage.
What is PatientSERV’s own fee in rendering this service to physicians? Does the Ontario Ministry of Health have knowledge of its returns, or access to its books? How long has it been in existence? Since it “assists Canadian physicians”, in what provinces is it most active? Will these fees be considered legitimate medical expenses by Revenue Canada?
As a long-time patient of the Listowel Clinic, I must state that I have received nothing but excellent care from physicians, nurses and everyone associated with the facility. Like many patients, I recently received notice that due to the retirement (well deserved) of my family physician, I could be without a doctor. Such notification, regardless of age or state of health, results in some turmoil, even fear. Since receiving the uninsured services and fees information, most people who have talked to me have said they will pay the fee and shut up because they don’t want to lose their doctor. It is an understandable reaction. I have “paid up,” but I guess I’m either too old or too stupid – or both – not to ‘speak up’ when there are legitimate questions deserving some honest answers.
Marion Duke
RR 1, Sundridge
and RR 1, Fordwich
Editor’s Note: The letter writer provided a list of annual fee plan options ranging from $85 for individual seniors to $250 for a family plan and a list of uninsured services covered by the fees ranging from $30 for notes for work, school, daycare, physio, etc., to $150 for short or long -term disability forms. The full list can be found at listowelclinic.ca.
