Lobby to reverse directive on $500 administration fee out-of-country patients

Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed has thrown his support behind an initiative by Whistler Health Care Centre (WHCC) staff to lobby B.C. Ministry of Health officials to reverse a recent directive on administration fees charged to out-of-country patients.

Local health care providers say that in the past three weeks they’ve counted at least 64 people who have left the centre after learning of the $500 administration fee for anyone who needs to see a doctor.
In an article in The Question last week, Dr. Bruce Mohr and others said they worry that some patients whose conditions should be assessed and treated by a doctor will go untreated, potentially leading to “adverse outcomes.”

Before Nov. 22, non-Canadian residents coming to the WHCC emergency room were charged a $400 administration fee for significant problems such as broken limbs, but only a $90 “minor” fee for issues that required only a brief doctor’s assessment and perhaps a prescription. Since then, all out-of-country WCSS patients have been required to pay $500 to see a doctor for either an initial or follow-up visit, no matter what their medical condition.

Mayor Melamed said he supports Dr. Mohr’s call for community leaders to send a letter to B.C. Health Minister George Abbott seeking to reverse the directive because of the number of out-of-country patients who visit the WHCC.

“We think there are provincial and national interests at stake here,” Melamed said. “In many cases, Whistler is people’s first and only visit to Canada and it reflects on Canada and British Columbia if people’s first experience here has that negative aspect.”

Melamed said he agrees that fees are necessary and added that local officials aren’t seeking a free ride for anyone.

“What we’re potentially asking, and we’re not there yet, is for some kind of a sliding scale,” he said, adding that health professionals in other B.C. resort towns probably have similar experiences, but perhaps not with the same frequency as those in Whistler.

“It’s not special treatment for Whistler,” Melamed said. “We’re just looking for recognition that it’s not one size fits all. Don’t try and shoehorn all situations into one model.”

Dr. Mohr said that in the short term, the doctors working in emergency at the WHCC are looking at using the offices of Whistler Medical Clinic doctors, upstairs, after hours as an alternative for patients who are non-residents of Canada.

“If patients feel it’s too expensive, we would just take them upstairs,” he said, adding that that doesn’t cover the larger issue.

Question

What to buy for loved ones with physical disabilities?

While the gift you bought for a loved one with a physical disability in the past may have come from good intentions, it could be stuck in a cupboard somewhere, says the March of Dimes' (MOD) manager of group development and support.

"It's always hard to know what to buy because often the regular products that are available, they may not be suitable," Sheila Casemore said.

On Tuesday, December the 18th staff from MOD Canada, a non-profit organization that offers programs and services for people with physical disabilities, will be at Ajax Shoppers Home Health Care for its grand opening.

The store provides specialty home health care products and services, and MOD consultants will be on hand to recommend proper gifts for people with physical disabilities or mobility issues. Specifically, items recommended will enhance mobility and increase safety and independence for people recovering from a stroke.

"There's 50,000 new strokes per year and there's about 300,000 people in Canada living with the affects of stroke, so it's quite substantial," Ms. Casemore said.

Ideal items for stroke survivors would be anything that's anti-slip, including bathtub mats, devices for plates, knives and forks or fold-up bath chairs that are portable and convenient for traveling. But, people with any mobility issue are welcome to attend and ask about products that may help them.

"In terms of the barriers, it's really difficult to find these products," Ms. Casemore said. "I mean they're not often commercially available."

She added that modifying products can be risky since they haven't been properly tested, so it's important to go to specialty stores because the products are properly tested and designed for people with mobility issues.

MOD is also reminding people to buy gifts for caregivers this season. Ms. Casemore said it can be difficult for caregivers (often family members) to find time for themselves, many times working 24-hour days.

"Caregivers are always forgotten, we find," she said.

While the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides funded home care services, Ms. Casemore explained it's not usually long-term. And, while some people assume relatives can help out, Ms. Casemore explained "families are very dispersed these days."

A professional body massager, a magnetic therapy necklace or a light therapy system are some ideal items to pamper caregivers.
NewDurhamRegion