Health Canada ‘concerned’ about Ontario company that charges for virtual doctor visits

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Speaking of health-care privatization, the federal government is 'concerned' about Maple, a Loblaw-funded virtual care business that has found a way around the restrictions of the Canada Health Act to charge people for online doctor visits.

Health Canada is reiterating that it expects provinces to fund medically necessary health services as one company raises fears of two-tiered health care in Ontario.virtual care business based in Toronto, charges $69 per doctor's visit — a service that would be free in person.

The practice has some worried about health care privatization — including the federal health ministry. Those concerns usually come from"a lack of understanding" on the part of provincial and federal health ministries, said Maple CEO Dr. Brett Belchetz, a Toronto emergency room physician. "I would love to see expanded coverage from OHIP to help cover a lot of these other circumstances that could help patients. But right now, we don't have that full coverage," he said.

 

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'But private-pay options like nurse practitioners, text chatting and out-of-province doctors can add capacity to the strained health system, he said.' What if we get those people working in the publicly funded system. Maybe it wouldn't be so strained.

That was fast. They called it Maple to throw everyone off the scent. A good and perfectly legal Canadian business. Trust us. 🍁 Do Doug and Justin get a cut from their Loblaw pals? onpoli cdnpoli universalhealthcare CanadaHealthAct

getmaple STEALING YOUR PUBLIC NURSES DAY BY DAY 'FOLKS' loblaws SylviaJonesMPP fordnation CBCNews

I got an email from CAA that said “Access nurse practitioners online 24/7, with your CAA Membership.” “Use your Maple virtual care benefit by registering today.” What the heck? They are using CAAs data base of clients to advertise to Canadians.

dade_kevin I effin' *HATE* LoblawsON Rich fux vacuuming every nickel up. abpoli ableg

Easy to find a way around restrictions if you’re in cahoots with the provincial government.

How would the CMPA, the group that defends doctors who are sued for malpractice, police this?

nb_covid_info The mere fact they went looking for a ‘loophole’ to enable the destruction of the public healthcare system for their personal profiteering says so much about their disdain for the average Canadian.

Yup, I wanted service at home right away so I paid. The doctor took less than 3 min. Failed to tell me I needed follow up testing, went back to MAPLE 1 week later, worse symptoms,was told my situation was now too complicated, needed a face to face visit after all.

They must be licensed in Ontario to offer services in ontario

Abortion and every other clinic in Canada is private healthcare. You kiddies must of been out of the country for the last couple of decades.

Well that's it for shopping at Loblaws.

.JustinTrudeau You need to step in. This is a violation of Canada Health Act. Ford crony Galen Weston trying to create a for profit health care model. This is a slippery slope! SaveUniversalHealthCare

This violates the Canada Health Act

our OHIP card just covers the cost of getting thru the door ANYTHING ELSE IS EXTRA MEANING YOU PAY!! WELCOME TO THE 51 STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF PAYCARE!!!!

The quirks exist because Ford wants them. And do check who funds the Fraser Institute.

This and similar ads running on IG.

Starting at..and everyone knows what that means.

Just look at what private did to grocery prices to generate record profits. This will be the same with HC. HC is a community service not intended to generate profits from our tax $$$. Private LTC needed the army to step in because profits compromised care and people died.

Healthcare is Loblaws' next growth engine, while the public goes into a furor if not a stupor over the 'profiteering' in groceries.

.WaytowichNeil TO_Resident

Telus Health would be next.

karsatov BC isn't having any of that.....

JordanMRoberts Once its inter provincial its a federal matter.

It's the privatization wild west. Anybody want to pay a little extra out of pocket to guarantee never having a diabetic foot amputated? With the province thinking of commercializing foot surgeries... well. You do the math. PerfectControl Diabetes PerfectControl

Thanks for the heads up. I used Maple last year, and had to reinstall it on my phone to see that yes, they are charging $69. I am not paying that, so good luck to them. FYI, I live in BC

The explanation of this being legal is a fallacy as CHA states clearly that the coverage is portable Canadians. Any physician needs to be registered with the CPSO in the province to practice even virtually. Looking forward to the legal challenges.

$69? do you get a happy ending too?

Only Provinces can contravene the Canada Health Act. In Ontario, you should be referring to the CFMA.

Eeek

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