Quebec will prevent optometrists by ministerial decree from disaffiliating with the public system. This measure will be in effect for at least the next six months, then will be renewable twice for the same period if necessary, we learned. Duty.
The order will be made public Wednesday morning. The Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, is using the powers given to him by the Health Insurance Act. This provides that in the event that “the quality or sufficiency of medical services” are affected, it may suspend the possibility for health professionals to become non-participants in the public plan.
About a month ago, the Association of Optometrists of Quebec (AOQ) announced that as of November 21, 85% of its members would stop participating in the public health insurance plan. This covers people under 18, 65 and over as well as social assistance recipients.
These populations would therefore have had to pay around $140 to obtain routine examinations which were until then free for them.
“Insufficient” compensation
In October, optometrists affirmed that the compensation offered to them by Quebec is insufficient. “Our operating costs have increased three times faster than the fee-for-service rates agreed by the government, so that our remuneration per RAMQ patient visit is today only $3.50,” indicated the Dr Guillaume Fortin, president of the AOQ, in a press release.
The Association, which has some 1,500 members, also stressed that it was at an “impasse” in its negotiations with the Quebec government. These talks concern the renewal of the agreement regarding pricing and the conditions of participation of these professionals in the RAMQ. This agreement expired in 2020.
In writing, Minister Dubé’s office maintained that while waiting for the end of discussions with optometrists, “children and the elderly should not bear the brunt of the negotiations.” “Services must be offered to vulnerable patients during the talks,” he added.
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