Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Saskatchewan Law Allowing People To Privately Pay For MRIs Kicks In

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Mar, 2016 11:53 AM
    REGINA — Two private firms have been licensed by Saskatchewan's Ministry of Health to provide MRI services that people will pay for out of their own pockets.
     
    Legislation that allows people to pay privately for scans has come into force in Saskatchewan.
     
    Each private facility will set its own price for the MRI services and any patient who chooses to pay will not be eligible for cost coverage or reimbursement.
     
    But it doesn't mean people can get an MRI whenever they want one, because they'll still need to be referred by a doctor.
     
    Facilities that do a private MRI scan must also provide a second scan at no charge to an individual who is on the public waiting list.
     
    The government says that last November there were 6,649 patients waiting for MRI services in the province.
     
    Saskatchewan Health Minister Dustin Duncan introduced the legislation last year, saying it would reduce wait times for MRIs at no cost to taxpayers.
     
    However, a letter to physicians from the president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association says it opposes the move.  The letter says Health Minister Dustin Duncan was informed of the group's position in October.
     
    A briefing note attached to the Dec. 4 letter says creating dual access to MRI scans does not reduce surgical wait times, and suggests it could lead to queue-jumping for surgery because those with a completed scan could see a specialist sooner.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Mahua Choudhury, Indian-american Professor Creates 'Supercondom' To Combat HIV

    Mahua Choudhury, Indian-american Professor Creates 'Supercondom' To Combat HIV
    An Indian-origin professor has created a 'supercondom' that can help combat the deadly virus that cause AIDS and also enhance sexual pleasure.

    Mahua Choudhury, Indian-american Professor Creates 'Supercondom' To Combat HIV

    Letter Shows Saskatchewan Docs Oppose Allowing People To Pay Privately For MRIs

    Letter Shows Saskatchewan Docs Oppose Allowing People To Pay Privately For MRIs
    REGINA — Saskatchewan doctors are concerned that the government's decision to allow people to pay privately for MRIs is a "hasty policy."

    Letter Shows Saskatchewan Docs Oppose Allowing People To Pay Privately For MRIs

    Are You Suffering From Angelina Jolie Syndrome?

    If you pay extra attention to the probability of dangerous diseases that you may suffer in future, you are probably suffering from what is being termed as 'Angelina Jolie syndrome', a study warns.

    Are You Suffering From Angelina Jolie Syndrome?

    Ontario Proposes Tougher Rules For Exempting School Kids From Vaccinations

    Ontario Proposes Tougher Rules For Exempting School Kids From Vaccinations
    Health Minister Eric Hoskins announced steps Friday to deal with so-called anti-vaxxers, parents who don't want to have their kids immunized because of the now debunked fear that vaccines cause autism or mercury poisoning or auto-immune disorders.

    Ontario Proposes Tougher Rules For Exempting School Kids From Vaccinations

    Alberta Says More People Need To Get Flu Shots; 66 Cases So Far In The Province

    Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health, says so far this season more than 950,000 doses of flu vaccine have been administered.

    Alberta Says More People Need To Get Flu Shots; 66 Cases So Far In The Province

    Are Plus-Sized Models In Ads Prompting Obesity?

    Are Plus-Sized Models In Ads Prompting Obesity?
    The increasing use of plus-sized models in advertising campaigns is contributing to growing rates of obesity, a new study from Beedie School of Business in Canada has claimed.

    Are Plus-Sized Models In Ads Prompting Obesity?