In downtown Toronto, medical professionals like Dr. Bernard Ho regularly treat uninsured patients, including those facing homelessness and mental health challenges. These doctors often bear the financial burden as they are unable to bill the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) for these patients. The Ontario Medical Association is pushing for a revival of the 'good-faith' payment policy, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure compensation for treating uninsured individuals. The proposal aims to address scenarios where patients either lack valid coverage or are experiencing documentation issues.
Dr. Bernard Ho stated, "We see them all the time. And unfortunately, we're not paid for them," highlighting the ongoing issue of treating patients without health insurance in Toronto.
The Ontario Medical Association aims to reintroduce a 'good-faith' payment policy, which previously ensured doctors were compensated for treating uninsured patients.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario created a funding stream under the 'good-faith' payment policy, allowing doctors to get paid for treating uninsured patients, but it was scrapped in 2023.
The proposed 'good-faith' system would apply in specific scenarios, such as for newborns waiting for health cards and patients eligible for OHIP but lacking valid documentation.
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