Canada Health Act Annual Report 2014-2015

Table of Contents

• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 - Canada Health Act Overview
• Chapter 2 - Administration and Compliance
• Chapter 3 - Provincial and Territorial Health Care Insurance Plans in 2013-2014
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Nova Scotia
  • New Brunswick
  • Quebec
  • Ontario
  • Manitoba
  • Saskatchewan
  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Yukon
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nunavut
• Annex A - Canada Health Act and Extra-Billing and User Charges Information Regulations
• Annex B - Policy Interpretation Letters
• Annex C - Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Process under the Canada Health Act
• Contact Information for Provincial and Territorial Departments of Health

Acknowledgements

Health Canada would like to acknowledge the work and effort that went into producing this Annual Report. It is through the dedication and timely commitment of the following departments of health and their staff that we are able to bring you this report on the administration and operation of the Canada Health Act:

• Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health and Community Services
• Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Wellness
• Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
• New Brunswick Department of Health
• Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services
• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
• Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors
• Saskatchewan Health
• Alberta Health
• British Columbia Ministry of Health
• Yukon Health and Social Services
• Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services
• Nunavut Department of Health

We also greatly appreciate the extensive work effort that was put into this report by our production team: the desktop publishing company, the translators, editors and concordance experts, printers and staff of Health Canada at headquarters and in the regional offices.

Introduction

Canada has a predominantly publicly financed and administered health care system. The Canadian health insurance system is achieved through 13 interlocking provincial and territorial health insurance plans, and is designed to ensure that all eligible residents of Canadian provinces and territories have reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services on a prepaid basis, without charges related to the provision of insured health services.

The Canadian health insurance system evolved into its present form over more than six decades. Saskatchewan was the first province to establish universal, public hospital insurance in 1947 and, ten years later, the Government of Canada passed the Hospital Insurance and Diagnostic Services Act (1957), to share in the cost of these services with the provinces and territories. By 1961, all the provinces and territories had public insurance plans that provided universal access to hospital services. Saskatchewan again pioneered by providing insurance for physician services, beginning in 1962. The Government of Canada enacted the Medical Care Act in 1966 to cost-share the provision of insured physician services with the provinces and territories. By 1972, all provincial and territorial plans had been extended to include physician services.

In 1979, at the request of the federal government, Justice Emmett Hall undertook a review of the state of health services in Canada. In his report, he affirmed that health care services in Canada ranked among the best in the world, but warned that extra-billing by doctors and user charges levied by hospitals were creating a two-tiered system that threatened the universal accessibility of care. This report, and the national debate it generated, led to the enactment of the Canada Health Act in 1984.

The Canada Health Act is Canada's federal health insurance legislation and defines the national principles that govern the Canadian health insurance system, namely, public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability and accessibility. These principles reflect the underlying Canadian values of equity and solidarity.

The roles and responsibilities for Canada's health care system are shared between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. The provincial and territorial governments have primary jurisdiction in the administration and delivery of health care services. This includes setting their own priorities, administering their health care budgets and managing their own resources. The federal government, under the Canada Health Act, sets out the criteria and conditions that must be satisfied by the provincial and territorial health insurance plans for provinces and territories to qualify for their full share of the cash contribution available to them under the federal Canada Health Transfer.

On an annual basis, the federal Minister of Health is required to report to Parliament on the administration and operation of the Canada Health Act, as set out in section 23 of the Act. The vehicle for so doing is the Canada Health Act Annual Report. While the principal and intended audience for the annual report is Parliamentarians, it is a public document that offers a comprehensive description of insured health services in each of the provinces and territories. The annual report is structured to address the mandated reporting requirements of the Act; as such, its scope does not extend to commenting on the status of the Canadian health care system as a whole.

Provincial and territorial health care insurance plans generally respect the criteria and conditions of the Canada Health Act and many exceed the requirements of the Act. However, when instances of possible non-compliance with the Act arise, Health Canada's approach to the administration of the Act emphasizes transparency, consultation and dialogue with provincial and territorial health care ministries. The application of financial penalties through deductions under the Canada Health Transfer is considered only as a last resort when all other options to resolve an issue collaboratively have been exhausted. Pursuant to the commitment made by premiers under the 1999 Social Union Framework Agreement, federal, provincial and territorial governments (except Quebec) agreed through an exchange of letters, in April 2002, to a Canada Health Act Dispute Avoidance and Resolution (DAR) process. The DAR process was formalized in the First Ministers' 2004 Accord. Although the DAR process includes dispute resolution provisions, the federal Minister of Health retains the final authority to interpret and enforce the Canada Health Act.

Chapter 1 - Canada Health Act Overview

This section describes the Canada Health Act, its requirements, key definitions, regulations and regulatory provisions, letters by former federal Ministers of Health Jake Epp and Diane Marleau to their provincial and territorial counterparts that are used in the interpretation and application of the Act, and the letter from former federal Minister, A. Anne McLellan, to her provincial and territorial counterparts on the Canada Health Act Dispute Avoidance and Resolution process. A history of the evolution of federal health care transfers follows.

What is the Canada Health Act?

The Canada Health Act is Canada's federal legislation for publicly funded health care insurance. The Act sets out the primary objective of Canadian health care policy, which is "to protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers."

The Act establishes criteria and conditions related to insured health services and extended health care services that the provinces and territories must fulfill to receive the full federal cash contribution under the Canada Health Transfer (CHT).

The aim of the Act is to ensure that all eligible residents of Canadian provinces and territories have reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services on a prepaid basis, without charges related to the provision of insured health services.

Key Definitions Under the Canada Health Act

Insured persons are eligible residents of a province or territory. A resident of a province is defined in the Act as "a person lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada who makes his home and is ordinarily present in the province, but does not include a tourist, a transient or a visitor to the province."

Persons excluded under the Act include serving members of the Canadian Forces and inmates of federal penitentiaries.

Insured health services are medically necessary hospital, physician and surgical-dental services (performed by a dentist in a hospital, where a hospital is required for the proper performance of the procedure) provided to insured persons.

Insured hospital services are defined under the Act and include medically necessary in- and out-patient services such as accommodation and meals at the standard or public ward level and preferred accommodation if medically required; nursing service; laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures, together with the necessary interpretations; drugs, biologicals and related preparations when administered in the hospital; use of operating room, case room and anaesthetic facilities, including necessary equipment and supplies; medical and surgical equipment and supplies; use of radiotherapy facilities; use of physiotherapy facilities; and services provided by persons who receive remuneration therefor from the hospital, but does not include services that are excluded by the regulations.

Insured physician services are defined under the Act as "medically required services rendered by medical practitioners." Medically required physician services are generally determined by the provincial or territorial health insurance plan, in conjunction with the medical profession.

Insured surgical-dental services are services provided by a dentist in a hospital, where a hospital setting is required to properly perform the procedure.

Extended health care services, as defined in the Act, are certain aspects of long-term residential care (nursing home intermediate care and adult residential care services), and the health aspects of home care and ambulatory care services.

Requirements of the Canada Health Act

The Canada Health Act contains nine requirements that the provinces and territories must fulfill in order to qualify for the full amount of their cash entitlement under the CHT.

They are:

• five program criteria that apply only to insured health services;
• two conditions that apply to insured health services and extended health care services; and
• extra-billing and user charges provisions that apply only to insured health services.

The Criteria

1. Public Administration (section 8)

The public administration criterion requires provincial and territorial health care insurance plans to be administered and operated on a non-profit basis by a public authority, which is accountable to the provincial or territorial government for decision-making on benefit levels and services, and whose records and accounts are publicly audited. However, the criterion does not prevent the public authority from contracting out the services necessary for the administration of the provincial and territorial health care insurance plans.

The public administration criterion pertains only to the administration of P/T health insurance plans and does not preclude private facilities or providers from supplying insured health services as long as no insured person is charged in relation to these services.

2. Comprehensiveness (section 9)

The comprehensiveness criterion of the Act requires that the health care insurance plan of a province or territory must cover all insured health services provided by hospitals, physicians or dentists (i.e., surgical-dental services that require a hospital setting).

3. Universality (section 10)

Under the universality criterion, all insured residents of a province or territory must be entitled to the insured health services provided by the provincial or territorial health care insurance plan on uniform terms and conditions. Provinces and territories generally require that residents register with the plan to establish entitlement.

4. Portability (section 11)

Residents moving from one province or territory to another must continue to be covered for insured health services by the "home" jurisdiction during any waiting period (up to three months) imposed by the new province or territory of residence. It is the responsibility of residents to inform their province or territory's health care insurance plan that they are leaving and to register with the health care insurance plan of their new province or territory.

Residents who are temporarily absent from their home province or territory or from Canada, must continue to be covered for insured health services during their absence. If insured persons are temporarily absent in another province or territory, the portability criterion requires that insured services be paid at the host province's rate. If insured persons are temporarily out of the country, insured services are to be paid at the home province's rate.

The portability criterion does not entitle a person to seek services in another province, territory or country, but is intended to permit a person to receive necessary services in relation to an urgent or emergent need when absent on a temporary basis, such as on business or vacation.

Prior approval by the health care insurance plan in a person's home province or territory may be required before coverage is extended for elective (non-emergency) services to a resident while temporarily absent from their province or territory.

5. Accessibility (section 12)

The intent of the accessibility criterion is to ensure that insured persons in a province or territory have reasonable access to insured hospital, medical and surgical-dental services on uniform terms and conditions, unprecluded or unimpeded, either directly or indirectly, by charges (user charges or extra-billing) or other means (e.g., discrimination on the basis of age, health status or financial circumstances).

Reasonable access in terms of physical availability of medically necessary services has been interpreted under the Canada Health Act using the "where and as available" rule. Thus, residents of a province or territory are entitled to have access on uniform terms and conditions to insured health services at the setting "where" the services are provided and "as" the services are available in that setting.

In addition, the health care insurance plans of the province or territory must provide:

• reasonable compensation to physicians and dentists for all the insured health services they provide; and
• payment to hospitals to cover the cost of insured health services.

The Conditions

1. Information (section 13(a))

The provincial and territorial governments are required to provide information to the federal Minister of Health as prescribed by regulations under the Act.

2. Recognition (section 13(b))

The provincial and territorial governments are required to recognize the federal financial contributions toward both insured and extended health care services.

Extra-billing and User Charges

The provisions of the Canada Health Act pertaining to extra-billing and user charges for insured health services in a province or territory are outlined in sections 18 to 21. If it can be confirmed that either extra-billing or user charges exist in a province or territory, a mandatory deduction from the federal cash transfer to that province or territory is required under the Act. The amount of such a deduction for a fiscal year is determined by the federal Minister of Health. This can be based on information provided by the province or territory in accordance with the Extra-billing and User Charges Information Regulations (described below). Section 20 of the Act requires the Minister to make an estimate of the amount of extra-billing and user charges where information is not provided in accordance with the regulations. This process requires the Minister to consult with the province or territory concerned.

Extra-billing (section 18)

Under the Act, extra-billing is defined as the billing for an insured health service rendered to an insured person by a medical practitioner or a dentist (i.e., a dentist providing insured surgical-dental services in a hospital setting) in an amount in addition to any amount paid or to be paid for that service by the health care insurance plan of a province or territory. For example, if a physician was to charge a patient any amount for an office visit that is insured by the provincial or territorial health insurance plan, the amount charged would constitute extra-billing. Extra-billing is seen as a barrier or impediment for people seeking medical care, and is therefore also contrary to the accessibility criterion.

User Charges (section 19)

The Act defines user charges as any charge for an insured health service, other than extra-billing. For example, if patients were charged a facility fee for the non-physician (i.e., hospital) services provided in conjunction with a physician service that is insured under the provincial health insurance plan at a clinic, that fee would be considered a user charge. User charges are not permitted under the Act because, as is the case with extra-billing, they constitute a barrier or impediment to access.

Other Elements of the Act

Regulations (section 22)

Section 22 of the Canada Health Act enables the federal government to make regulations for administering the Act in the following areas:

• defining the services included in the Act's definition of "extended health care services," e.g., nursing home care or home care;
• prescribing which services are excluded from hospital services;
• prescribing the types of information that the federal Minister of Health may reasonably require, as well as the format and submission deadline for the information; and
• prescribing how provinces and territories are required to recognize the CHT in their documents, advertising or promotional materials.

To date, the only regulations in force under the Act are the Extra-billing and User Charges Information Regulations. These regulations require the provinces and territories to annually report to Health Canada amounts of extra-billing and user charges levied. A copy of these regulations is provided in Annex A.

Penalty Provisions of the Canada Health Act

Mandatory Penalty Provisions

Under the Act, provinces and territories that allow extra-billing and user charges are subject to mandatory dollar-for-dollar deductions from the federal transfer payments under the CHT. In plain terms, this means that when it has been determined that a province or territory has allowed $500,000 in extra-billing by physicians, the federal cash contribution to that province or territory will be reduced by that same amount.

Discretionary Penalty Provisions

Non-compliance with one of the five criteria or two conditions of the Act is subject to a discretionary penalty. The amount of any deduction from federal transfer payments under the CHT is based on the magnitude of the non-compliance.

The Canada Health Act sets out a consultation process that must be undertaken with the province or territory before discretionary penalties can be levied. To date, the discretionary penalty provisions of the Act have not been applied.

Excluded Services and Persons

Although the Canada Health Act requires that insured health services be provided to insured persons in a manner that is consistent with the criteria and conditions set out in the Act, not all Canadian residents or health services fall under the scope of the Act.

Excluded Services

A number of services provided by hospitals and physicians are not considered medically necessary, and thus are not insured under provincial and territorial health insurance legislation. Uninsured hospital services for which patients may be charged include preferred hospital accommodation unless prescribed by a physician or when standard ward level accommodation is unavailable, private duty nursing services and the provision of telephones and televisions. Uninsured physician services for which patients may be charged include telephone advice; the provision of medical certificates required for work, school, insurance purposes and fitness clubs; testimony in court; and cosmetic services.

In addition, the definition of "insured health services" excludes services to persons provided under any other Act of Parliament (e.g., inmates of federal penitentiaries) or under the workers' compensation legislation of a province or territory.

In addition to the medically necessary hospital and physician services covered by the Canada Health Act, provinces and territories also provide a range of other programs and services. These are provided at provincial and territorial discretion, on their own terms and conditions, and vary from one province or territory to another. Additional services that may be provided include pharmacare, ambulance services and optometric services. The additional services provided by provinces and territories are often targeted to specific population groups (e.g., children, seniors or social assistance recipients), and may be partially or fully covered by the province or territory.

Excluded Persons

The Canada Health Act definition of "insured person" excludes members of the Canadian Forces and persons serving a term of imprisonment within a federal penitentiary. The Government of Canada provides coverage to these groups through separate federal programs.

The exclusion of these persons from insured health service coverage predates the adoption of the Act and is not intended to constitute differences in access to publicly insured health care.

There is a Frequently Asked Questions link on Health Canada's web-site to address common concerns that Canadians might have about Canada's publicly funded health insurance plans.

See: Canada Health Act - Frequently Asked Questions

Policy Interpretation Letters

There are two key policy statements that clarify the federal position on the Canada Health Act. These statements were made in the form of ministerial letters from former federal Ministers of Health to their provincial and territorial counterparts. Both letters are reproduced in Annex B of this report.

Epp Letter

In June 1985, approximately one year following the passage of the Canada Health Act in Parliament, federal Minister of Health and Welfare Jake Epp wrote to his provincial and territorial counterparts to set out and confirm the federal position on the interpretation and implementation of the Act

Minister Epp's letter followed several months of consultation with his provincial and territorial counterparts. The letter sets forth statements of federal policy intent that clarify the Act's criteria, conditions and regulatory provisions. These clarifications have been used by the federal government in assessing and interpreting compliance with the Act. The Epp letter remains an important reference for interpreting the Act.

Marleau Letter - Federal Policy on Private Clinics

Between February 1994 and December 1994, a series of seven federal/provincial/territorial meetings dealing wholly, or in part, with private clinics took place. At issue was the growth of private clinics providing medically necessary services funded partially by the public system and partially by patients, and their impact on Canada's universal, publicly funded health care system.

At the September 1994 federal/provincial/territorial meeting of health ministers in Halifax, all ministers of health present, with the exception of Alberta's health minister, agreed to "take whatever steps are required to regulate the development of private clinics in Canada."

Diane Marleau, the federal Minister of Health at the time, wrote to all provincial and territorial ministers of health on January 6, 1995, to announce the new Federal Policy on Private Clinics. The Minister's letter provided the federal interpretation of the Canada Health Act as it relates to the issue of facility fees charged directly to patients receiving medically necessary services at private clinics. The letter stated that the definition of "hospital" contained in the Act includes any public facility that provides acute, rehabilitative or chronic care. Thus, when a provincial or territorial health insurance plan pays the physician fee for a medically necessary service delivered at a private clinic, it must also pay the facility fee or face a deduction from federal transfer payments.

Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Process

In April 2002, federal Minister of Health A. Anne McLellan outlined in a letter to her provincial and territorial counterparts a Canada Health Act Dispute Avoidance and Resolution process, which was agreed to by provinces and territories, except Quebec. The process meets federal and provincial or territorial interests of avoiding disputes related to the interpretation of the principles of the Act and, when this is not possible, resolving disputes in a fair, transparent and timely manner.

The process includes the dispute avoidance activities of government-to-government information exchange; discussions and clarification of issues as they arise; active participation of governments in ad hoc federal/provincial/territorial committees on Act-related issues; and Canada Health Act advance assessments, upon request.

Where dispute avoidance activities prove unsuccessful, dispute resolution activities may be initiated, beginning with government-to-government fact-finding and negotiations. If these are unsuccessful, either minister of health involved may refer the issues to a third-party panel to undertake fact-finding and provide advice and recommendations.

The federal Minister of Health has the final authority to interpret and enforce the Canada Health Act. In deciding whether to invoke the non-compliance provisions of the Act, the Minister will take the panel's report into consideration.

A copy of Minister McLellan's letter is included in Annex C of this report.

Evolution of Federal Health Care Transfers

Grants to Help Establish Programs and Cost-Sharing

Federal support for provincial health care goes back to the late 1940s when the National Health Grants were created. These grants were considered to be essential building blocks of a national health care system. While the grants were mainly used to build up the Canadian hospital infrastructure, they also supported initiatives in areas such as professional training, public health research, tuberculosis control and cancer treatment. By the mid-1960s, the grants available to the provinces totaled more than $60 million annually.

In the mid-1950s in response to public pressures, the federal government agreed to provide financial assistance to provinces to help them establish health insurance programs. In January 1956, the federal government placed concrete proposals before the provinces to inaugurate a phased health insurance program, with priority given to hospital insurance and diagnostic services. Discussions on these proposals led to the adoption of the Hospital Insurance and Diagnostic Services Act (HIDSA) in 1957. The implementation of the HIDSA started in July 1958, by which time Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba were operating hospital insurance plans. By 1961, all provinces and territories were participating in the program.

The second phase of the federal intervention supporting provincial and territorial health insurance programs resulted from the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Health Services (Hall Commission). In its final report, tabled in 1964, the Hall Commission recommended establishing a new program that would ensure that all Canadians have access to necessary medical care (physician services, outside a hospital setting).

The Medical Care Act was introduced in Parliament in July 1966, and received Royal Assent on December 21, 1966. The implementation of the Medical Care program started on July 1, 1968. By 1972, all provinces and territories were participating in the program.

Originally, the federal government's method of contributing to provincial and territorial hospital insurance programs was based on the cost to provinces and territories of providing insured hospital services. Under the HIDSA (1957), the federal government reimbursed the provinces and territories for approximately 50 percent of the costs of hospital insurance. In both cases, funding was conditional on certain program criteria being met. Under the Medical Care Act (1966), the federal contribution was set at 50 percent of the average national per capita costs of the insured services, multiplied by the number of insured persons in each province and territory. Funding protocols based on conditional grants continued until the move to block funding was made in fiscal year 1977-1978.

Established Programs Financing

On April 1, 1977, federal funding supporting insured health care services was replaced by a block fund transfer with only general requirements related to maintaining a minimum standard of health services through the passage of the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements and Established Programs Financing Act, 1977. Known also as the EPF Act, the new legislation provided federal contributions to the provinces and territories for insured hospital and medical care services (as well as for post-secondary education) that were no longer tied to provincial expenditures. Rather, federal contributions made in fiscal year 1975-1976 under the existing cost-sharing programs were designated as the base year for contributions, to be escalated by the rate of growth of nominal Gross National Product and increases to the population.

Under the EPF Act, and subsequent funding arrangements, the total amount of the provincial and territorial health entitlement was made up of relatively equal cash and tax transfers. The federal tax transfer involves the federal government ceding some of its "tax room" to the provincial and territorial governments, reducing its tax rate to allow provinces to raise their tax rates by an equivalent amount. With the Established Programs Financing "health" tax transfer, the changes in federal and provincial tax rates offset one another, meaning there was no net impact on taxpayers. The total amount of the health care entitlement did not change.

The EPF Act also included a new transfer for the Extended Health Care Services Program. This group of health care services, defined as nursing home intermediate care, adult residential care, ambulatory health care and the health aspects of home care, were block funded on the basis of $20 per capita for fiscal year 1977-1978, and subject to the same escalator as insured health services. This portion of the EPF transfer was made on a virtually unconditional basis and, unlike the insured services transfer, was not subject to specified program delivery criteria.

Under the prevailing legislative framework, the Government of Canada was required to withhold all of the monthly health care transfer to a province or territory for each month the program delivery criteria were not met. It was not until the enactment of the Canada Health Act in 1984 that special deduction provisions came into force allowing for dollar-for-dollar deductions for extra-billing and user charges, and discretionary deductions when provincial and territorial plans failed to fully comply with other provisions set out in the Act. These criteria and conditions remain in force to the present day.

Canada Health and Social Transfer

In the 1995 Budget, the federal government announced a restructuring of the EPF Act, from then on to be called the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, with provisions for a Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST).

The new omnibus or block transfer, beginning in fiscal year 1996-1997, merged the health and post-secondary education funding of the EPF Act with Canada Assistance Plan funding (the federal/provincial cost-sharing arrangement for social services). When the CHST came into effect on April 1, 1996, provinces and territories received CHST cash and tax transfer in lieu of entitlements under the Canada Assistance Plan (CAP) and EPF. The new CHST cash amount provided to provinces and territories was less than the combined values of EPF and CAP, reflecting the need for fiscal restraint at the time the CHST was introduced. The 1995 and 1996 Budget legislation provided for total CHST amounts (cash and tax transfers) for subsequent years, with an annual floor of $11 billion for the cash component to apply until 2002-2003.

The new block fund was provided to uphold the national criteria in the Canada Health Act (public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability and accessibility) and the provisions relating to extra-billing and user charges, as well as maintaining the CAP-related national standard that no period of minimum residency be required or allowed with respect to social assistance. Extended health care services continued as part of the Act, subject only to the conditions of providing information and recognizing the federal transfer, as set out in section 13 of the Act.

The new legislation also transferred the cash payment authority from Health Canada to the Department of Finance. However, the federal Minister of Health continued to be responsible for:

• recommending the amounts of any deductions or withholdings pursuant to the conditions and criteria of the Act to the Governor in Council;
• determining the amounts of any deductions pursuant to the extra-billing and user charges provisions of the Act; and
• ensuring that these amounts are communicated to the Department of Finance before the CHST payment dates.

From 1997 to 2000, there were several increases to the cash portion of the CHST, including increases to the cash floor. In 1998, the cash floor was increased to $12.5 billion. With the federal government's return to surpluses, Budget 1999 announced an additional $11.5 billion for health care. Of this amount, $8 billion was provided in CHST cash over the following four years. The remaining $3.5 billion was provided through a trust fund notionally allocated over three years to provide provinces and territories flexibility over when to draw down the funds. Budget 2000 then provided an additional $2.5 billion for health care through another trust fund to provinces and territories, notionally allocated over four years.

2000 and 2003 Health Accords: Increasing and Restructuring Federal Support for Health

In 2000 and 2003, First Ministers met to discuss health care, focusing on reform, reporting and funding requirements. In 2000, the federal government announced $23.4 billion in new spending over five years on health care renewal and early childhood development. This included an additional $21.1 billion dollars in increases to the CHST cash contributions, as well as an additional $1.8 billion for targeted programs (medical equipment and primary health care reform), and $500 million for Canada Health Infoway.

In 2003, the government committed $36.8 billion over five years to support priority areas of health reform (primary care, home care and catastrophic drugs). This was provided through $14 billion in increased CHST transfers and $16 billion for the Health Reform Transfer, as well as $1.5 billion for medical equipment. This was in addition to $5.3 billion in federal direct spending on health information technologies, Aboriginal health initiatives, patient safety and other health-related federal initiatives.

The federal government also agreed to restructure the CHST to enhance the transparency and accountability of federal support for health.

The Canada Health Transfer

The CHST was restructured into two new transfers, the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) and Canada Social Transfer (CST), effective April 1, 2004. The CHT supports the Government of Canada's ongoing commitment to maintain the national criteria and conditions of the Canada Health Act. The CST; a block fund that supports post-secondary education and social assistance and social services, continues to give provinces and territories the flexibility to allocate funds among these social programs according to their respective priorities.

The existing CHST-legislated amounts were apportioned between the new transfers, with the percentage of cash and tax points allocated to each transfer reflecting provincial and territorial spending patterns among the areas supported by the transfers: 62 percent for the CHT and 38 percent for the CST.

2004 10-year Plan to Strengthen Health Care

Federal transfers to the provinces and territories were further increased as a result of the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care. Signed by all first Ministers on September 16, 2004, this initiative committed the Government of Canada to an additional $41.3 billion in funding, over ten years until 2013-2014, to the provinces and territories for health. This included $35.3 billion in increases to the CHT, $5.5 billion in Wait Times Reduction funding, and $500 million in support of diagnostic and medical equipment.

Budget 2007

To restore fiscal balance in Canada, Budget 2007 put all major transfers on a long-term, principles-based track to 2013-2014. In order to provide comparable treatment for all Canadians, regardless of where they live the budget legislated equal per capita cash support for the CST, starting in 2007-2008, and the CHT, starting after the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care concludes in 2013-2014. In addition, Budget 2007 invested an additional $1 billion to help provinces and territories introduce wait time guarantees, including initiatives delivered through Canada Health Infoway.

Recent Transfer Changes

As announced by the Government of Canada in December 2011, and legislated in the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, the CHT will continue to grow at an annual rate of 6 percent for an additional three years beyond 2013-2014 (i.e., until 2016-2017). Starting in 2017-2018, the CHT will grow in line with a three-year moving average of nominal gross domestic product growth, with funding guaranteed to increase by at least three percent per year.

Following up on the 2007 legislation for a transition to an equal per capita cash allocation for the CHT in 2014-2015, the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act ensured a fiscally responsible transition by providing protection so that no province or territory will receive less than its 2013-2014 CHT cash allocation in subsequent years as a result of the move to equal per capita cash.

Additional information on federal-provincial-territorial funding arrangements is available upon request from the Department of Finance, or by visiting its website at: Federal Support to Provinces and Territories - Major Federal Transfers

Chapter 2 - Administration and Compliance

Administration

In administering the Canada Health Act (CHA), the federal Minister of Health is assisted by Health Canada staff at headquarters and in the regions, and by the Department of Justice.

The Canada Health Act Division

The Canada Health Act Division of Health Canada is responsible for administering the CHA. Members of the Division fulfill the following ongoing functions:

• monitoring and analyzing provincial and territorial health insurance plans for compliance with the criteria, conditions, and extra-billing and user charges provisions of the CHA;
• disseminating information on the CHA and on publicly funded health care insurance programs in Canada;
• responding to inquiries about the CHA and health insurance issues received by telephone, mail and the Internet, from the public, members of Parliament, government departments, stakeholder organizations and the media;
• developing and maintaining formal and informal partnerships with health officials in provincial and territorial governments for information sharing;
• producing the Canada Health Act Annual Report on the administration and operation of the CHA;
• conducting issue analysis and policy research to provide policy advice;
• collaborating with provincial and territorial health department representatives through the Interprovincial Health Insurance Agreements Coordinating Committee (see below);
• working in partnership with the provinces and territories to investigate and resolve compliance issues and pursue activities that encourage compliance with the CHA;
• informing the federal Minister of Health of possible non-compliance and recommending appropriate action to resolve the issue; and
• working with Health Canada Legal Services and Justice Canada on litigation issues that implicate the CHA.

Interprovincial Health Insurance Agreements Coordinating Committee

The Interprovincial Health Insurance Agreement Coordinating Committee (IHIACC) was formed in 1991 to address issues affecting the interprovincial billing of insured hospital and physician services. The Committee includes members from each province and territory and a non-voting chair from the Canada Health Act Division. The Canada Health Act Division also provides secretariat functions for IHIACC.

Through IHIACC, all provinces and territories participate in reciprocal hospital agreements, and all, with the exception of Quebec, participate in reciprocal physician agreements. These agreements generally ensure that a patient's health card will be accepted, in lieu of payment, when the patient receives insured hospital or physician services in another province or territory. The province or territory providing the service will then directly bill the patient's home province. The intent of these agreements is to ensure that Canadian residents do not have to pay directly for medically required hospital and physician services when they travel within Canada.

IHIACC's Rate Review Working Group is responsible for determining reciprocal billing rates to ensure that the host province or territory that is providing the health service is compensated by the home province at a reasonable rate.

Issues related to registration and eligibility requirements are addressed through IHIACC's Eligibility and Portability Working Group that is responsible for reviewing eligibility issues and identifying potential inter-jurisdictional gaps in health coverage.

Of note, these agreements are interprovincial, not federal, and while they facilitate the portability criterion they are not a requirement of the CHA.

Compliance

Health Canada's approach to resolving possible compliance issues emphasizes transparency, consultation and dialogue with provincial and territorial health ministry officials. In most instances, issues are successfully resolved through consultation and discussion based on a thorough examination of the facts.

The Canada Health Act Division monitors the operations of provincial and territorial health care insurance plans in order to provide advice to the Minister on possible non-compliance with the Canada Health Act (CHA). Sources for this information include: provincial and territorial government officials and publications; media reports; and correspondence received from the public and non-governmental organizations.

Staff in the Compliance and Interpretation Unit of the Canada Health Act Division assess issues of concern and complaints on a case-by-case basis. The assessment process involves compiling all facts and information related to the issue and taking appropriate action. Verifying the facts with provincial and territorial health officials may reveal issues that are not directly related to the CHA, while others may pertain to the CHA but are a result of misunderstanding or miscommunication, such as eligibility for health insurance coverage and portability of health services within and outside Canada, and are resolved quickly with provincial or territorial assistance.

In instances where a CHA issue has been identified and remains after initial enquiries, Division officials ask the jurisdiction in question to investigate the matter and report back. Division staff discuss the issue and its possible resolution with provincial or territorial officials. Only if the issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of the Division after following the aforementioned steps, is it brought to the attention of the federal Minister of Health.

Compliance Issues

For the most part, provincial and territorial health care insurance plans meet the criteria and conditions of the Canada Health Act (CHA). However, on the basis of their health ministry's report to Health Canada, a deduction in the amount of $241,637 was taken from the March 2015 Canada Health Transfer payments to British Columbia in respect of extra-billing and user charges for insured health services at private clinics in fiscal year 2012-2013.

Health Canada continues to monitor provincial and territorial compliance with the CHA. The following key developments occurred since the 2013-2014 Canada Health Act Annual Report was published:

Under the CHA, the definition of "hospital services" specifies that standard or public ward level accommodation is an insured service. Charges for preferred accommodation are permissible under the CHA only where such accommodation is not medically required, and is provided at the patient's request. If ward level accommodation is not available or cannot be offered, patients must be provided private or semi-private accommodation at no charge. In January 2014, Health Canada learned that two hospitals are being built in Quebec that will have only semi-private and private rooms, and that the Quebec health ministry considered permitting these hospitals to charge fees for all stays. Health Canada reviewed the applicable provincial and territorial legislation and policies and found similar practices in Ontario and British Columbia. In July 2014, Health Canada informed the health ministries of British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec that such charges are contrary to the CHA. British Columbia has since corrected the problem, while Ontario and Quebec are still examining the issue.

As detailed in the 2013-2014 Canada Health Act Annual Report, in January 2011, the Vancouver General Hospital in British Columbia began charging patients a fee when they elect to have robot-assisted surgery versus the conventional surgical alternative for certain medically necessary procedures (e.g., prostatectomy, hysterectomy). In October 2013, Health Canada informed the British Columbia health ministry that since the robot is a piece of surgical equipment used to perform an insured hospital service, it falls within the definition of insured hospital services under the CHA. For that reason, there should be no patient charges. In December 2014, the BC Health Ministry wrote to Health Canada to confirm that it had directed the hospital to cease charging patients for robot-assisted surgeries by January 31, 2015.

During 2014-2015, Health Canada continued to consult with Alberta Health about private primary health care clinics that charge patients annual enrollment and membership fees. If the receipt of insured services is conditional upon the payment of fees, it would pose concerns under the accessibility criterion of the CHA. Typically, the fees cover a basket of uninsured services but also promise quick access to and unrushed appointments with family physicians. In November 2013, Alberta Health informed Health Canada that it had completed an audit of an Edmonton clinic, which resulted in the clinic better communicating with patients about charges for uninsured services. Alberta Health conducted similar audits at two other clinics and shared the results of all three audits with Health Canada in January 2015. In March 2015, Health Canada requested confirmation that processes were in place to reimburse patients who had been charged for insured services and that such charges had ceased. As well, the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons continues to consider new or amended practice standards to guide physicians involved in these arrangements.

In November 2014, Health Canada provided an advance assessment under the CHA to Nova Scotia on a proposal by some ophthalmologists to charge patients for certain tests when they are performed in the physician's office instead of a hospital, in respect of the cost of the technology used. Health Canada confirmed that no additional fees can be charged in conjunction with a medically necessary physician service.

Also in November 2014, Prince Edward Island asked Health Canada if there would be CHA implications if a proposed non-profit clinic were funded by a charitable foundation, where health services would be provided without a charge to patients by a nurse practitioner. Health Canada informed Prince Edward Island that since the services were neither provided by physicians nor in a hospital, they are not under the ambit of the CHA. Had patients been charged directly for these services, Health Canada would have concerns about the migration of physician services to settings in which insured residents must pay to receive them.

In March 2014, Health Canada asked the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care in Ontario for its assessment of illegal patient charges alleged by the Ontario Health Coalition in its report, "For Health or Wealth." Health Canada also inquired if the My Health Report web-based service allows subscribers to obtain expedited access to insured physician services. On August 8, 2014, the Ontario health ministry replied, saying that no evidence of illegal charges alleged by the Ontario Health Coalition was found. The Ontario health ministry also noted that it has published information bulletins to physicians, hospitals and licensed independent health facilities, to remind them of the prohibitions on extra-billing and user charges, as well as queue-jumping, under the Ontario Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act and the Independent Health Facilities Act. With regards to the My Health Report web-based service, Ontario noted that the description of services on the web-site no longer includes a reference to expedited care. In both of these cases, Health Canada considers these issues to be resolved.

In March 2015, Health Canada wrote to the Quebec Ministry of Health concerning patient charges by physicians, when they provide certain publicly insured health services in their offices or private clinics. Health Canada's consultation with Quebec on this issue is ongoing.

During 2014-2015, Health Canada continued to monitor the following ongoing compliance and interpretation issues:

Abortion services are insured in all provinces and territories; however, access to these insured services varies within and between jurisdictions across the country. In Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, the services are only covered if performed in a hospital (for example, private clinic procedures are not covered). In addition, Prince Edward Island lacks abortion services on the island and residents must travel off the island to access them. In New Brunswick, access has improved because certification of medical necessity by two physicians, and performance of the service by a specialist in gynecology or obstetrics in a hospital are no longer required. Prince Edward Island service has improved because the province has eliminated the need for a referral from an Island doctor and now allows women to self-refer to a Moncton, New Brunswick, hospital. However, accessibility and comprehensiveness concerns remain because neither province covers private clinic abortions under their respective provincial health insurance plans.

Health Canada remains concerned about patient payments for drugs administered in hospital out-patient clinics and their appropriateness under the CHA, since drugs and biological products administered in hospitals that are medically necessary for the purpose of maintaining health, preventing disease or diagnosing or treating an injury, illness or disability are insured health services under the CHA.

MRI and CT services are also considered to be insured health services when they are medically necessary for the purpose of maintaining health, preventing disease or diagnosing or treating an injury, illness or disability, and are provided in a hospital or a facility providing hospital care, but patient charges for these services are levied by private clinics in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Physician services received by Quebec residents when out-of-province are not reimbursed at host province rates, which is a requirement of the portability criterion of the CHA. Canadians from provinces other than Quebec also report difficulties having their provincial or territorial health insurance cards honoured while out-of-province, particularly by walk-in clinics, which runs counter to the spirit of the CHA. For all jurisdictions, except Prince Edward Island and the three territories, the per diem rates for out-of-country hospital services appear lower than home province or territory rates, which is also a requirement of the portability criterion of the CHA.

History of Deductions and Refunds Under the Canada Health Act

The Canada Health Act (CHA), which came into force April 1, 1984, reaffirmed the national commitment to the original principles of the Canadian health care system, as embodied in the previous legislation, the Medical Care Act and the Hospital Insurance and Diagnostic Services Act. By putting into place mandatory dollar-for-dollar penalties for extra-billing and user charges, the federal government took steps to eliminate the proliferation of direct charges for hospital and physician services, judged to be restricting the access of many Canadians to health care services due to financial considerations.

During the period 1984 to 1987, subsection 20(5) of the CHA provided for deductions in respect of these charges to be refunded to the province if the charges were eliminated before April 1, 1987. By March 31, 1987, it was determined that all provinces, which had extra-billing and user charges, had taken appropriate steps to eliminate them. Accordingly, by June 1987, a total of $244,732,000 in deductions was refunded to New Brunswick ($6,886,000), Quebec ($14,032,000), Ontario ($106,656,000), Manitoba ($1,270,000), Saskatchewan ($2,107,000), Alberta ($29,032,000) and British Columbia ($84,749,000).

Following the CHA's initial three-year transition period, under which refunds to provinces and territories for deductions were possible, penalties under the CHA did not reoccur until fiscal year 1994-1995. Please refer to the table at the end of this section for a summary of deductions and refunds that have been made to provincial or territorial transfer payments since 1994-1995.

In the early 1990s, as a result of a dispute between the British Columbia Medical Association and the British Columbia government over compensation, several doctors opted out of the provincial health insurance plan and began billing their patients directly. Some of these doctors billed their patients at a rate greater than the amount the patients could recover from the provincial health insurance plan. This higher amount constituted extra-billing under the CHA. Deductions began in May 1994, relating to fiscal year 1992-1993, and continued until extra-billing by physicians was banned when changes to British Columbia's Medicare Protection Act came into effect in September 1995. In total, $2,025,000 was deducted from British Columbia's cash contribution for extra-billing that occurred in the province between 1992-1993 and 1995-1996. These deductions were non-refundable, as were all subsequent deductions.

In January 1995, federal Minister of Health, Diane Marleau, expressed concerns to her provincial and territorial colleagues about the development of two-tiered health care and the emergence of private clinics charging facility fees for medically necessary services. As part of her communication with the provinces and territories, Minister Marleau announced that the provinces and territories would be given more than nine months to eliminate these user charges, but that any province that did not, would face financial penalties under the CHA. Accordingly, beginning in November 1995, deductions were applied to the cash contributions to Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador for non-compliance with the Federal Policy on Private Clinics.

From November 1995 to June 1996, total deductions of $3,585,000 were made to Alberta's cash contribution in respect of facility fees charged at clinics providing surgical, ophthalmological and abortion services. On October 1, 1996, Alberta prohibited private surgical clinics from charging patients a facility fee for medically necessary services for which the physician fee was billed to the provincial health insurance plan.

Similarly, due to facility fees allowed at an abortion clinic, a total of $280,430 was deducted from Newfoundland and Labrador's cash contribution before these fees were eliminated, effective January 1, 1998.

From November 1995 to December 1998, deductions from Manitoba's cash contribution amounted to $2,055,000, ending with the confirmed elimination of user charges at surgical and ophthalmology clinics, effective January 1, 1999. However, during fiscal year 2001-2002, a monthly deduction (from October 2001 to March 2002 inclusive) in the amount of $50,033 was levied against Manitoba's Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST) cash contribution on the basis of a financial statement provided by the province showing that actual amounts charged with respect to user charges for insured services in fiscal years 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 were greater than the deductions levied on the basis of estimates. This brought total deductions levied against Manitoba to $2,355,201.

With the closure of a private clinic in Halifax effective November 27, 2003, Nova Scotia was deemed to be in compliance with the Federal Policy on Private Clinics. Before it closed, total deductions of $372,135 were made to Nova Scotia's CHST cash contribution for its failure to cover facility charges to patients while paying the physician fee. A final deduction of $5,463 was taken from the March 2005 Canada Health Transfer (CHT) payment to Nova Scotia as a reconciliation of deductions that had already been taken for 2002-2003. A one-time positive adjustment in the amount of $8,121 was made to Nova Scotia's March 2006 CHT payment to reconcile amounts actually charged in respect of extra-billing and user charges with the penalties that had already been levied based on provincial estimates reported for fiscal 2003-2004.

In January 2003, British Columbia provided a financial statement in accordance with the Canada Health Act Extra-billing and User Charges Information Regulations, indicating aggregate amounts actually charged with respect to extra-billing and user charges during fiscal year 2000-2001, totaling $4,610. Accordingly, a deduction of $4,610 was made to the March 2003 CHST cash contribution.

In 2004, British Columbia did not report to Health Canada the amounts of extra-billing and user charges actually charged during fiscal year 2001-2002, in accordance with the requirements of the Extra-billing and User Charges Information Regulations. As a result of reports that British Columbia was investigating cases of user charges, a $126,775 deduction was taken from British Columbia's March 2004 CHST payment, based on the amount the Minister estimated to have been charged during fiscal year 2001-2002.

Since 2005, $1,253,145 in cash transfer deductions have been taken from British Columbia's CHT payments in light of patient charges reported by the province to Health Canada. The deduction taken in 2012-2013 in respect of fiscal year 2010-2011 was estimated by the federal Minister of Health and represents the aggregate of the amounts reported to Health Canada by British Columbia and those reported publicly as the result of an audit performed by the Medical Services Commission of British Columbia. Deductions for each year are detailed in a table following this passage.

A deduction of $1,100 was taken from the March 2005 CHT payment to Newfoundland and Labrador as a result of patient charges for a magnetic resonance imaging scan in a hospital which occurred during 2002-2003. The March 2007 CHT payment to Nova Scotia was reduced by $9,460 in respect of extra-billing during fiscal year 2004-2005.

Since March 2011, deductions totalling $102,249 have been taken from CHT payments to Newfoundland and Labrador for extra-billing and user charges, based on charges reported by the province to Health Canada. Since these charges resulted from services provided by an opted-out dental surgeon who has since left the province, Health Canada considers this matter resolved.

Since the passage of the CHA, from April 1984 to March 2013, deductions totaling $10,112,447 have been taken from transfer payments in respect of the extra-billing and user charges provisions of the CHA. This amount excludes deductions totaling $244,732,000 that were made between 1984 and 1987 and subsequently refunded to the provinces when extra-billing and user charges were eliminated.

Chapter 3 - Provincial and Territorial Health Care Insurance Plans in 2014-2015

The following chapter presents the 13 provincial and territorial health insurance plans that make up the Canadian publicly funded health insurance system. The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate clearly and consistently the extent to which provincial and territorial plans fulfilled the requirements of the Canada Health Act program criteria and conditions in 2014-2015.

Officials in the provincial, territorial and federal governments have collaborated to produce the detailed plan overviews contained in Chapter 3. The information that Health Canada requested from the provincial and territorial departments of health for the report consists of two components:

• a narrative description of the provincial or territorial health care system relating to the criteria and conditions of the Act, which can be found following this introduction; and
• statistical information related to insured health services.

The narrative component is used to help with the monitoring and compliance of provincial and territorial health care plans with respect to the requirements of the Act, while statistics help to identify current and future trends in the Canadian health care system. While all provinces and territories have submitted detailed descriptive information on their health insurance plans, Quebec chose not to submit supplemental statistical information which is contained in the tables in this year's report.

To help provinces and territories prepare their submissions to the annual report, Health Canada provided them with the document; Canada Health Act Annual Report 2014-2015: A Guide for Updating Submissions (User's Guide). The User's Guide is designed to help provinces and territories meet Health Canada's reporting requirements. Annual revisions to the guide are based on Health Canada's analysis of health plan descriptions from previous annual reports and its assessment of emerging issues relating to insured health services.

The process for the Canada Health Act Annual Report 2014-2015 was launched late spring 2015 with bilateral teleconferences with each jurisdiction. An updated User's Guide was also sent to the provinces and territories at that time.

Insurance Plan Descriptions

For the following chapter, provincial and territorial officials were asked to provide a narrative description of their health insurance plan. The descriptions follow the program criteria areas of the Canada Health Act in order to illustrate how the plans satisfy these criteria. This narrative format also allows each jurisdiction to indicate how it met the Canada Health Act requirement for the recognition of federal contributions that support insured and extended health care services.

Provincial and Territorial Health Care Insurance Plan Statistics

Over time, the section of the annual report containing the statistical information submitted from the provinces and territories has been simplified and streamlined based on feedback received from provincial and territorial officials, and based on reviews of data quality and availability. The supplemental statistical information tables can be found at the end of each provincial or territorial narrative, except for Quebec.

The purpose of the statistical tables is to place the administration and operation of the Canada Health Act in context and to provide a national perspective on trends in the delivery and funding of insured health services in Canada that are within the scope of the Act.

The statistical tables contain resource and cost data for insured hospital, physician and surgical-dental services by province and territory for five consecutive years ending on March 31, 2015. All information was provided by provincial and territorial officials.

Although efforts are made to capture data on a consistent basis, differences exist in the reporting on health care programs and services between provincial and territorial governments. Therefore, comparisons between jurisdictions are not made. Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the quality and completeness of the data they provide.

Organization of the Information

Information in the statistical tables is grouped according to the nine subcategories described below.

Registered Persons:

Registered persons are the number of residents registered with the health care insurance plans of each province or territory.

Insured Hospital Services Within Own Province or Territory:

Statistics in this sub-section relate to the provision of insured hospital services to residents in each province or territory, as well as to visitors from other regions of Canada.

Insured Hospital Services Provided to Residents in Another Province or Territory:

This sub-section presents out-of-province or out-of-territory insured hospital services that are paid for by a person's home jurisdiction when they travel to other parts of Canada.

Insured Hospital Services Provided Outside Canada:

This represents residents' hospital costs incurred while travelling outside of Canada that are paid for by their home province or territory.

Insured Physician Services Within Own Province or Territory:

Statistics in this sub-section relate to the provision of insured physician services to residents in each province or territory, as well as to visitors from other regions of Canada.

Insured Physician Services Provided to Residents in Another Province or Territory:

This sub-section reports on physician services that are paid by a jurisdiction to other provinces or territories for their visiting residents.

Insured Physician Services Provided Outside Canada:

This represents residents' medical costs incurred while travelling outside of Canada that are paid by their home province or territory.

Insured Surgical-Dental Services Within Own Province or Territory:

The information in this subsection describes insured surgical-dental services provided in each province or territory.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Introduction

The Department of Health and Community Services (the Department) is responsible for setting the overall strategic directions and priorities for the health and community services system throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2014, the Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development was created. As a result, the responsibility for the Healthy Living Division and the Office of Aging and Seniors has moved to the new department. This resulted in a slight change in the lines of business for the Department of Health and Community Services with the removal of the following divisions: 1) Health Promotion and Wellness; 2) Healthy Aging and Seniors; and 3) Support to Community Agencies.

The Department works with stakeholders to develop and enhance policies, legislation, provincial standards and strategies to support individuals, families and communities to achieve optimal health and well-being. The Department provides a lead role in policy, planning, program development, and support to the four regional health authorities. The Department also works with stakeholders to ensure high quality, cost effective and timely health services are available for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

The Department provides leadership, coordination, monitoring and support to the regional health authorities who deliver the majority of publicly funded health services in the province, as well as other entities who deliver programs and services. This ensures quality, efficiency and effectiveness in areas such as the administration of health care facilities; access and clinical efficiency; programs for seniors, persons with disabilities and persons with mental health and addictions issues as well as long-term care and community support services; health professional education and training programs; the control, possession, handling, keeping and sale of food and drugs; the preservation and promotion of health; the prevention and control of disease; and public health and the enforcement of public health standards.

Budget 2014-2015 included an investment of nearly $3 billion to help ensure better health, better care and better value for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Investments were made to increase access to diagnostic and treatment services for children with autism and other conditions, increased dialysis capacity, to provide vital programming in long term care and community support services through the province, investments in infrastructure and redevelopment of facilities.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, health services are provided to over 500,000 residents by approximately 20,000 health care providers, support staff and administrators.

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

Health care insurance plans managed by the Department of Health and Community Services include the Hospital Insurance Plan and the Medical Care Plan (MCP). Both plans are non-profit and publicly administered.

The Hospital Insurance Agreement Act is the legislation that enables the Hospital Insurance Plan. The Act gives the Minister of Health and Community Services the authority to make regulations for providing insured services on uniform terms and conditions to residents of the province under the conditions specified in the Canada Health Act and its regulations.

The Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999 requires the Minister to administer a plan of medical care insurance for residents of the province. It provides for the development of regulations to ensure that the provisions of the statute meet the requirements of the Canada Health Act as it relates to administering the MCP.

The MCP facilitates the delivery of comprehensive medical care to all residents of the province by implementing policies, procedures and systems that permit appropriate compensation to providers for rendering insured professional services. The MCP operates in accordance with the provisions of the Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999 and regulations, and in compliance with the Canada Health Act.

There were no substantive legislative amendments to the Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999 or the Hospital Insurance Agreement Act in 2014-2015.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

The Department is mandated with administering the Hospital Insurance and Medical Care Plans. The Department reports on these plans through the regular legislative processes, e.g., Public Accounts and the Social Services Committees of the House of Assembly.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has a provincial planning and reporting requirement for all government departments, including the Department of Health and Community Services. Under the Transparency and Accountability Act, the Department of Health and Community Services and the 12 entities that report to the Minister, including regional health authorities (RHAs), produce a strategic plan once every three years and report annually on performance. Plans and reports are tabled in the House of Assembly and posted on the Department's website.

The 2014-2015 Department of Health and Community Services Annual Report will be tabled in the House of Assembly by the end of September 30, 2015.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

Each year, the province's Auditor General independently examines provincial public accounts. MCP expenditures are considered a part of the public accounts. While respecting privacy and personal information, the Auditor General has full and unrestricted access to code based MCP records.

The four RHAs are subject to financial statement audits, reviews, and compliance audits. Financial statement audits are performed by independent auditing firms that are selected by the health authorities. Review engagements, compliance audits and physician audits were carried out by personnel from the Department under the authority of the Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999. Physician records and professional medical corporation records were reviewed to ensure that the records supported the services billed and that the services are insured under the MCP.

Beneficiary audits were performed by personnel from the Department under the Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999. Individual providers are randomly selected on a bi-weekly basis for audit.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

The Hospital Insurance Agreement Act and the Hospital Insurance Regulations, made thereunder, provide for insured hospital services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Insured hospital services are provided for in-patients and out-patients in 15 hospitals, 22 community health centres and 14 community clinics as well as numerous health and community services clinics throughout the province. Insured services include: accommodations and meals at the standard ward level; nursing services; laboratory, radiology and other diagnostic procedures; drugs, biological and related preparations; medical and surgical supplies; operating room, case room and anaesthetic facilities; rehabilitative services (e.g., physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology and audiology); out-patient and emergency visits; and day surgery.

The coverage policy for insured hospital services is linked to the coverage policy for insured medical services. The Department of Health and Community Services manages the process of adding or de-listing a hospital service from the list of insured services based on direction from the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. There were no services added or de-listed in 2014-2015.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

The enabling legislation for insured physician services is the Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999 and the regulations made thereunder, which include the:

• Medical Care Insurance Insured Services Regulations;
• Medical Care Insurance Beneficiaries and Inquiries Regulations; and
• Physicians and Fee Regulations.

In 2014-2015 there were 1,210 physicians registered in the province.

For purposes of the Act, the following services are covered:

• all services properly and adequately provided by physicians to beneficiaries suffering from an illness requiring medical treatment or advice;
• group immunizations or inoculations carried out by physicians at the request of the appropriate authority; and
• diagnostic and therapeutic x-ray and laboratory services in facilities approved by the appropriate authority that are not provided under the Hospital Insurance Agreement Act and regulations made under the Act.

Physicians can choose not to participate in the health care insurance plan as outlined in section 12(1) of the Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999, namely:

12 (1) Where a physician providing insured services is not a participating physician, and the physician provides an insured service to a beneficiary, the physician is not subject to this Act or the regulations relating to the provision of insured services to beneficiaries or the payment to be made for the services except that he or she shall:

1. before providing the insured service, if he or she wishes to reserve the right to charge the beneficiary for the service an amount in excess of that payable by the Minister under this Act, inform the beneficiary that he or she is not a participating physician and that the physician may so charge the beneficiary; and
2. provide the beneficiary to whom the physician has provided the insured service with the information required by the Minister to enable payment to be made under this Act to the beneficiary in respect of the insured service.

(2) Where a physician who is not a participating physician provides insured services through a professional medical corporation, the professional medical corporation is not, in relation to those services, subject to this Act or the regulations relating to the provision of insured services to beneficiaries or the payment to be made for the services and the professional medical corporation and the physician providing the insured services shall comply with subsection (1).

As of March 31, 2015 there were no physicians who had opted out of the Medical Care Plan (MCP).

Lieutenant-Governor in Council approval is required to add to or to de-insure a physician service from the list of insured services. This process is managed by the Department in consultation with various stakeholders.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

The provincial Surgical-Dental Program is a component of the MCP. Surgical-dental treatments provided to a beneficiary and carried out in a hospital by a licensed oral surgeon or dentist are covered by MCP if the treatment is specified in the Surgical-Dental Services Schedule.

Dentists may opt out of the MCP. These dentists must advise the patient of their opted-out status, state the fees expected, and provide the patient with a written record of services and fees charged. As of March 31, 2015, there were no opted-out dentists. There was no extra-billing in 2014-2015.

Because the Surgical-Dental Program is a component of the MCP, management of the program is linked to the MCP process regarding changes to the list of insured services.

Addition of a surgical-dental service to the list of insured services must be approved by the Minister.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Hospital services not covered by MCP include: preferred accommodation at the patient's request; cosmetic surgery and other services deemed to be medically unnecessary; ambulance or other patient transportation before admission or upon discharge; private duty nursing arranged by the patient; non-medically required x-rays or other services for employment or insurance purposes; drugs (except anti-rejection and AZT drugs) and appliances issued for use after discharge from hospital; bedside telephones, radios or television sets for personal, non-teaching use; fibreglass splints; services covered by the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission or by other federal or provincial legislation; and services relating to therapeutic abortions performed in non-accredited facilities or facilities not approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The use of the hospital setting for any services deemed not insured by the MCP are also uninsured under the Hospital Insurance Plan. For purposes of the Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999, the following is a list of non-insured physician services:

• any advice given by a physician to a beneficiary by telephone;
• the dispensing by a physician of medicines, drugs or medical appliances and the giving or writing of medical prescriptions;
• the preparation by a physician of records, reports or certificates for, or on behalf of, or any communication to, or relating to, a beneficiary;
• any services rendered by a physician to the spouse and children of the physician;
• any service to which a beneficiary is entitled under an Act of the Parliament of Canada, an Act of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, an Act of the legislature of any province of Canada, or any law of a country or part of a country;
• the time taken or expenses incurred in travelling to consult a beneficiary;
• ambulance service and other forms of patient transportation;
• acupuncture and all procedures and services related to acupuncture, excluding an initial assessment specifically related to diagnosing the illness proposed to be treated by acupuncture;
• examinations not necessitated by illness or at the request of a third party except as specified by the Department;
• plastic or other surgery for purely cosmetic purposes, unless medically indicated;
• laser treatment of telangiectasia;
• testimony in a court;
• visits to optometrists, general practitioners and ophthalmologists solely for determining whether new or replacement glasses or contact lenses are required;
• the fees of a dentist, oral surgeon or general practitioner for routine dental extractions performed in hospital;
• fluoride dental treatment for children under four years of age;
• excision of xanthelasma;
• circumcision of newborns;
• hypnotherapy;
• medical examination for drivers;
• alcohol/drug treatment outside Canada;
• consultation required by hospital regulation;
• therapeutic abortions performed in the province at a facility not approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador;
• sex reassignment surgery, when not recommended by the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry;
• in vitro fertilization and OSST (ovarian stimulation and sperm transfer);
• reversal of previous sterilization procedure;
• surgical, diagnostic or therapeutic procedures provided in facilities as of January 1998 other than those covered under the Hospital Insurance Agreement Act or approved by the appropriate authority under paragraph 3(d) of the Medical Care Insurance Insured Services Regulations; and
• other services not within the ambit of section 3 of the Medical Care Insurance Insured Services Regulations.

The majority of diagnostic services (e.g., laboratory services and x-ray) are performed within public facilities in the province. Hospital policy concerning access ensures that third parties are not given priority access.

Medical goods and services that are implanted and associated with an insured service are provided free of charge to the patient and are consistent with national standards of practice. Patients retain the right to financially upgrade standard medical goods or services. Standards for medical goods are developed by the hospitals providing those services in consultation with service providers.

The Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999 provides the Lieutenant-Governor in Council with the authority to make regulations prescribing which services are or are not insured services for the purpose of the Act.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

There were 533,156 people registered with the Medical Care Plan as of March 31, 2015. Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are eligible for coverage under the Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999 and the Hospital Insurance Agreement Act. The Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999 defines a "resident" as a person lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada, who makes his or her home and is ordinarily present in the province, but does not include tourists, transients or visitors to the province.

The Medical Care Insurance Beneficiaries and Inquiries Regulations identify those residents eligible to receive coverage under the plans. The Medical Care Plan (MCP) has established rules to ensure that the regulations are applied consistently and fairly in processing applications for coverage. MCP applies the standard that persons moving to Newfoundland and Labrador from another province become eligible on the first day of the third month following the month of their arrival.

Persons not eligible for coverage under the plans include: students and their dependents already covered by another province or territory; dependents of residents if covered by another province or territory; certified refugees and refugee claimants and their dependents; foreign workers with employment authorizations and their dependents who do not meet the established criteria; tourists, transients, visitors and their dependents; Canadian Forces personnel; inmates of federal prisons; and armed forces personnel from other countries who are stationed in the province. If the status of these individuals changes, they must meet the criteria for eligibility as noted above in order to become eligible.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

Foreign workers, international students, clergy and dependents of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) personnel are eligible for benefits. Holders of Minister's permits are also eligible, subject to MCP approval.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

Insured persons moving to Newfoundland and Labrador from other provinces or territories are entitled to coverage on the first day of the third month following the month of arrival.

Persons arriving from outside Canada to establish residence are entitled to coverage on the day of arrival. The same applies to discharged members of the Canadian Forces, and individuals released from federal penitentiaries. For coverage to be effective; however, registration is required under the Medical Care Plan (MCP). Immediate coverage is provided to persons from outside Canada authorized to work in the province for one year or more.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

Newfoundland and Labrador is a party to the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability regarding matters pertaining to portability of insured services in Canada.

Sections 12 and 13 of the Hospital Insurance Regulations define portability of hospital coverage during absences both within and outside Canada. The eligibility policy for insured hospital services is linked to the eligibility policy for insured physician services.

Coverage is provided to residents during temporary absences within Canada. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has entered into formal agreements (e.g., the Hospital Reciprocal Billing Agreement) with other provinces and territories for the reciprocal billing of insured hospital services. In-patient costs are paid at standard rates approved by the host province or territory. In-patient, high-cost procedures and out-patient services are payable based on national rates agreed to by provincial and territorial health plans through the Interprovincial Health Insurance Agreements Coordinating Committee.

Medical services incurred in all provinces (except Quebec) or territories, are paid through the Medical Reciprocal Billing Agreement at host province or territory rates. Claims for medical services received in Quebec are submitted by the patient to the MCP for payment at host province rates.

In order to qualify for out-of-province coverage, a beneficiary must comply with the legislation and MCP rules regarding residency in Newfoundland and Labrador. A resident must reside in the province at least four consecutive months in each 12-month period to qualify as a beneficiary. Generally, the rules regarding medical and hospital care coverage during absences include the following:

• Before leaving the province for extended periods, a resident must contact the MCP to obtain an out-of-province coverage certificate.
• Beneficiaries leaving for vacation purposes may receive an initial out-of-province coverage certificate of up to 12 months. Upon return, beneficiaries are required to reside in the province for a minimum four consecutive months. Thereafter, certificates will only be issued for up to eight months of coverage.
• Students leaving the province may receive a certificate, renewable each year, provided they submit proof of full-time enrolment in a recognized educational institution located outside the province.
• Persons leaving the province for employment purposes may receive a certificate for coverage up to 12 months. Verification of employment may be required.
• Persons must not establish residence in another province, territory or country while maintaining coverage under the Newfoundland MCP.
• For out-of-province trips of 30 days or less, an out-of-province coverage certificate is not required, but will be issued upon request.
• For out-of-province trips lasting more than 30 days, a certificate is required as proof of a resident's ability to pay for services while outside the province.

Failure to request out-of-province coverage or failure to abide by the residency rules may result in the resident having to pay for medical or hospital costs incurred outside the province.

Insured residents moving permanently to other parts of Canada are covered up to and including the last day of the second month following the month of departure.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

The province provides coverage to residents during temporary absences outside Canada. Out-of-country insured hospital in-patient and out-patient services are covered for emergencies, sudden illness, and elective procedures at established rates. Hospital services are considered under the Plan when the insured services are provided by a recognized facility (licensed or approved by the appropriate authority within the state or country in which the facility is located) outside Canada. The maximum amount payable by the government's hospitalization plan for out-of-country in-patient hospital care is $350 per day, if the insured services are provided by a community or regional hospital. Where insured services are provided by a tertiary care hospital (a highly specialized facility), the approved rate is $465 per day. The approved rate for out-patient services is $62 per visit and hemodialysis is $330 per treatment. The approved rates are paid in Canadian funds.

Physician services are covered for emergencies or sudden illness, and are also insured for elective services not available in the province or within Canada. Emergency Physician services are paid at the same rate as would be paid in Newfoundland and Labrador for the same service. If the elective services are not available in Newfoundland and Labrador, they are usually paid at Ontario rates, or at rates that apply in the province where they are available.

Coverage is immediately discontinued when residents move permanently to other countries.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

Prior approval is not required for medically necessary insured services provided by accredited hospitals or licensed physicians in the other provinces and territories. However, physicians may seek advice on coverage from the MCP so that patients may be made aware of any financial implications.

Prior approval is mandatory in order to receive funding at host country rates if a resident of the province has to seek specialized hospital care outside the country because the insured service is not available in Canada. The referring physicians must contact the Department for prior approval. If prior approval is granted, the provincial health insurance plan will pay the costs of insured services necessary for the patient's care. Prior approval is not granted for out-of-country treatment or elective services if the service is available in the province or elsewhere within Canada. If the services are not available in Newfoundland and Labrador, they are usually paid at Ontario rates, or at rates that apply in the province where they are available.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

Access to insured health services in Newfoundland and Labrador is provided on uniform terms and conditions. There are no co-insurance charges for insured hospital services and there is no extra-billing by physicians in the province.

The Department of Health and Community Services works closely with post-secondary educational institutions within the province to maintain an appropriate supply of health professionals. The province also works with external organizations for health professionals not trained in this province. Targeted recruitment incentives are in place to attract health professionals. Several programs have been established to provide targeted sign-on bonuses, bursaries, opportunities for upgrading, and other incentives for a wide variety of health occupations.

Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be a national leader in wait time improvements. The key drivers of these improvements are the implementation of actions under three provincial strategies: the Provincial Emergency Department Wait Time Strategy; the Provincial Hip and Knee Joint Replacement Wait Time Strategy, which included increased Provincial Government funding to complete additional joint replacement surgeries; and the Provincial Endoscopy Wait Time Strategy.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians continue to have some of the shortest benchmark wait times in the country. Newfoundland and Labrador is ranked as the best in Canada in the wait times for hip and knee replacement and cataract surgery. Furthermore, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information annual report Wait Times for Priority Procedures in Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador was the only province to achieve 9 out of 10 (90 percent) benchmark results compared to the rest of Canada in which 8 out 10 (80 percent) patients are receiving access to priority benchmark procedures.

Through the actions of the joint replacement strategy, Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be a national leader with the shortest wait times in the country for hip and knee replacement surgery. Since Newfoundland and Labrador's strategy was released (2012), we have seen a 34 percent increase (from 60 to 94 percent) in the number of knee replacement surgeries being completed within the 182 day benchmark.

During the fourth quarter of 2014-2015 (January 1 to March 31, 2015), wait time reports demonstrated that, on average, 94 percent of residents of Newfoundland and Labrador received timely access to benchmark procedures within the recommended targets. The national benchmark is 90 percent.

We are improving Emergency Departments to ensure there are shorter wait times and patients are assessed and treated in a timely manner. Through the actions of the Provincial Emergency Department Wait Time Strategy, external reviews were carried out at four additional Emergency Departments in the province. We have now completed external reviews in 10 of our 13 Category A emergency departments. Through these reviews, a variety of initiatives were undertaken to improve wait times, including Nurse First triage, alignment of staffing allocations to meet peak patient demand; implementation of fast track units to treat low acuity patients, implementation of a Rapid Assessment Zone (RAZ) at Health Sciences Center to expedite assessment and treatment of urgent (Canadian Triage Acuity Scale Level 3) patients, and use of the provincial HealthLine to carry out follow-up contact with patients who left without being seen. As a result of this work, we are seeing reductions in the time for physician initial assessment (PIA) and the number of patients leaving without being seen (LWBS).

Government invested $2 million in Budget 2014 to address endoscopy wait times and wait lists. As a result of our partnership with Canadian Association of Gastroenterologists (CAG) and the leadership of the physicians and administration in the four regional health authorities (RHAs), the province was and is still the first and only province in Canada in which 100 percent (12/12) of endoscopy suites are enrolled in the CAG Quality Program and have completed the Canadian Global Rating Scale. Additionally, the department continued its work with the Eastern Regional Health Authority in partnership with CAG to implement the Skills Enhancement in Endoscopy (SEE) program in the province in 2014. As a result of this work, Eastern Regional Health Authority has become a designated training site for the SEE program.

5.2 Physician Compensation

The legislation governing payments to physicians and dentists for insured services is the Medical Care Insurance Act, 1999. Compensation agreements are negotiated between the provincial government and the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA), on behalf of all physicians. Representatives from the RHAs play a role in this process. A Memorandum of Agreement was reached with the NLMA in December 2010, which increased overall physician compensation by approximately 26 percent. The Agreement expired on September 30, 2013 but remains in effect until such time as a new agreement is negotiated. Physicians are paid via fee-for-service, salary or alternate payment plan (APP) with an increasing interest in APPs as a method of remuneration by physicians.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

The Department is responsible for funding RHAs for ongoing operations and capital acquisitions. Funding for insured services is provided to the RHAs as an annual global budget. Payments are made in accordance with the Hospital Insurance Agreement Act and the Regional Health Authorities Act. As part of their accountability to the government, the health authorities are required to meet the Department's annual reporting requirements, which include audited financial statements and other financial and statistical information. The global budgeting process devolves the budget allocation authority, responsibility, and accountability to all appointed boards in the discharge of their mandates.

Throughout the fiscal year, the RHAs forwarded additional funding requests to the Department for any changes in program areas or increased workload volume. These requests were reviewed and, when approved by the Department, funded at the end of each fiscal year. Any adjustments to the annual funding level, such as for additional approved positions or program changes, were funded based on the implementation date of such increases and the cash flow requirements.

6.0 Recognition Given To Federal Transfers

Funding provided by the federal government through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) and the Canada Social Transfer (CST) has been recognized and reported by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in the annual provincial budget, through press releases, government websites and various other documents. For fiscal year 2014-2015, these documents include:

• the 2014-2015 Public Accounts;
• the Estimates 2014-2015; and
• the Budget Speech 2014-2015.

The Public Accounts and Estimates, tabled by the Government in the House of Assembly, are publicly available and are shared with Health Canada for information purposes.

Prince Edward Island

Introduction

In Prince Edward Island (PEI) the Department of Health and Wellness is responsible for providing policy, strategic, and fiscal leadership for the healthcare system.

The Health Services Act provides the regulatory and administrative frameworks for improvements to the healthcare system in PEI by:

• mandating the creation of a provincial health plan;
• establishing mechanisms to improve patient safety and support quality improvement processes; and
• creating a Crown corporation (Health PEI) to oversee the delivery of operational healthcare services.

Within this governance structure Health PEI has the responsibility to:

• provide, or provide for the delivery of, health services;
• operate and manage health facilities;
• manage the financial, human and other resources necessary to provide health services and operate health facilities; and
• perform such other duties as the Minister may direct.

1.0   Public Administration

1.1  Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

The Hospital Services Insurance Plan, under the authority of the Minister of Health and Wellness, is the vehicle for delivering hospital care insurance in Prince Edward Island (PEI). The enabling legislation is the Hospital and Diagnostic Services Insurance Act (1988). The Medical Services Insurance Plan provides for insured physician services under the authority of the Health Services Payment Act (1988). Together, the Plans insure services as defined under section 2 of the Canada Health Act.

The Department of Health and Wellness is responsible for providing policy, strategic and fiscal leadership for the healthcare system, while Health PEI is responsible for service delivery and the operation of hospitals, health centres, manors and mental health facilities. Health PEI is responsible for the hiring of physicians, while the Public Service Commission of PEI hires nurse practitioners, nurses and all other health related workers.

1.2  Reporting Relationship

An annual report is submitted by the Department to the Minister responsible who tables it in the Legislative Assembly. The report provides information about the operating principles of the Department and its legislative responsibilities, as well as an overview and description of the operations of the departmental divisions and statistical highlights for the year.

Health PEI prepares an annual business plan which functions as a formal agreement between Health PEI and the Minister responsible, and documents accomplishments to be achieved over the coming fiscal year.

1.3  Audit of Accounts

The provincial Auditor General conducts annual audits of the public accounts of PEI. The public accounts of the province include the financial activities, revenues and expenditures of the Department of Health and Wellness.

The provincial Auditor General, through the Audit Act, has the discretion to conduct further audit reviews on a comprehensive or program specific basis.

2.0   Comprehensiveness

2.1  Insured Hospital Services

Insured hospital services are provided under the Hospital and Diagnostic Services Insurance Act (1988). The accompanying regulations define the insured in-patient and out-patient hospital services available at no charge to a person who is eligible. Insured hospital services include, but are not limited to: necessary nursing services; laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures; accommodations and meals at a standard ward rate; formulary drugs, biologicals and related preparations prescribed by an attending physician and administered in hospital; operating room, case room and anaesthetic facilities; routine surgical supplies; and radiotherapy and physiotherapy services performed in hospital.

The process to add a new hospital service to the list of insured services involves extensive consultation and negotiation between the Department, Health PEI and key stakeholders. The process involves the development of a business plan which, when approved by the Minister, would be taken to Treasury Board for funding approval. Executive Council (Cabinet) has the final authority in adding new services.

2.2  Insured Physician Services

The enabling legislation that provides for insured physician services is the Health Services Payment Act (1988).

Insured physician services are provided by medical practitioners licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons. The total number of practicing practitioners who billed the Medical Services Insurance Plan as of March 31, 2015 was 331. This includes all physicians (complement, locums, visiting specialists, and other non-complement physicians). Prior to 2012-2013, Prince Edward Island (PEI) reported complement physicians only.

Under section 10 of the Health Services Payment Act, a physician or practitioner who is not a participant in the Medical Services Insurance Plan is not eligible to bill the Plan for services rendered. When a non-participating physician provides a medically required service, section 10(2) requires that physicians advise patients that they are non-participating physicians or practitioners and provide the patient with sufficient information to enable recovery of the cost of services from the Minister of Health and Wellness. Under section 10.1 of the Health Services Payment Act, a participating physician or practitioner may determine, subject to and in accordance with the regulations and in respect of a particular patient or a particular basic health service, to collect fees outside the Plan or selectively opt out of the Plan. Before the service is rendered, patients must be informed that they will be billed directly for the service. Where practitioners have made that determination, they are required to inform the Minister thereof and the total charge is made to the patient for the service rendered.

As of March 31, 2015, no physicians had opted out of the Medical Services Insurance Plan.

Any basic health services rendered by physicians that are medically required are covered by the Medical Services Insurance Plan. These include most physicians' services in the office, at the hospital or in the patient's home; medically necessary surgical services, including the services of anaesthetists and surgical assistants where necessary; obstetrical services, including pre-natal and post-natal care, newborn care or any complications of pregnancy such as miscarriage or caesarean section; certain oral surgery procedures performed by an oral surgeon when it is medically required, with prior approval that they be performed in a hospital; sterilization procedures, both female and male; treatment of fractures and dislocations; and certain insured specialist services, when properly referred by an attending physician.

The process to add a physician service to the list of insured services involves negotiation between the Department, Health PEI and the Medical Society. The process involves development of a business plan which, when approved by the Minister, would be taken to Treasury Board for funding approval. Insured physician services may also be added or deleted as part of the negotiation of a new Master Agreement with physicians (Section 5.2). Cabinet has the final authority in adding new services.

2.3  Insured Surgical-Dental Services

Dental services are not insured under the Medical Services Insurance Plan. Only oral maxillofacial surgeons are paid through the Plan. There are currently two surgeons in that category. Surgical-dental procedures included as basic health services in the Tariff of Fees are covered only when the patient's medical condition requires that they be done in hospital or in an office with prior approval, as confirmed by the attending physician.

2.4  Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Services not covered by the Hospital Services Insurance Plan include:

• services that persons are eligible for under other provincial or federal legislation;
• mileage or travel, unless approved by Health PEI;
• telephone consultation except by internists, palliative care physicians, paediatricians, out-of-province specialists, and orthopaedic surgeons, provided the patient was not seen by that physician within 3 days of the telephone consult;
• examinations required in connection with employment, insurance, education, etc.;
• group examinations, immunizations or inoculations, unless prior approval is received from Health PEI;
• preparation of records, reports, certificates or communications, except a certificate of committal to a psychiatric, drug or alcoholism facility;
• testimony in court;
• travel clinic and expenses;
• surgery for cosmetic purposes unless medically required;
• dental services other than those procedures included as basic health services;
• dressings, drugs, vaccines, biologicals and related materials;
• eyeglasses and special appliances;
• chiropractic, podiatry, optometry, chiropody, osteopathy, naturopathy, and similar treatments;
• physiotherapy, psychology, and acupuncture except when provided in hospital;
• reversal of sterilization procedures;
• in vitro fertilization;
• services performed by another person when the supervising physician is not present or not available;
• services rendered by a physician to members of the physician's own household, unless approval is obtained from Health PEI; and
• any other services that the Department may, upon the recommendation of the negotiation process between the Department, Health PEI and the Medical Society, declare non-insured.

Hospital services not covered by the Hospital Services Insurance Plan include private or special duty nursing at the patient's or family's request; preferred accommodation at the patient's request; hospital services rendered in connection with surgery purely for cosmetic reasons; personal conveniences, such as telephones and televisions; drugs, biologicals and prosthetic and orthotic appliances for use after discharge from hospital; and dental extractions, except in cases where the patient must be admitted to hospital for medical reasons with prior approval of Health PEI.

The process to de-insure services covered by the Medical Services Insurance Plan is done in collaboration with the Medical Society, Health PEI and the Department. No services were de-insured during the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

All PEI residents have equal access to services. Third parties such as private insurers or the Workers' Compensation Board of PEI do not receive priority access to services through additional payment.

PEI has no formal process to monitor compliance; however, feedback from physicians, hospital administrators, medical professionals and staff allows the Department and Health PEI to monitor usage and service concerns.

3.0   Universality

3.1  Eligibility

The Health Services Payment Act and Regulations, section 3, define eligibility for the Medical Services Insurance Plan. This Plan is designed to provide coverage for eligible Prince Edward Island (PEI) residents. A resident is anyone legally entitled to remain in Canada and who makes his or her home and is ordinarily present on an annual basis for at least six months plus a day, in PEI.

All new residents must register with the Department in order to become eligible. Persons who establish permanent residence in PEI from elsewhere in Canada will become eligible for insured hospital and medical services on the first day of the third month following the month of arrival.

Residents who are ineligible for insured hospital and medical services coverage in PEI are those who are eligible for certain services under other federal or provincial government programs, such as members of the Canadian Forces, inmates of federal penitentiaries, and clients of Workers' Compensation or the Department of Veterans Affairs' programs.

Ineligible residents may become eligible in certain circumstances. For example, members of the Canadian Forces become eligible on discharge or completion of rehabilitative leave. Penitentiary inmates become eligible upon release. In such cases, the province where the individual in question was stationed at the time of discharge or release, or release from rehabilitative leave, would provide initial coverage during the customary waiting period of up to three months. Parolees from penitentiaries will be treated in the same manner as discharged prisoners.

New or returning residents must apply for health coverage by completing a registration application from HealthPEI. The application is reviewed to ensure that all necessary information is provided. A health card is issued and sent to the resident within two weeks. Renewal of coverage takes place every five years and residents are notified by mail six weeks before renewal.

The number of residents registered with the Medical Services Insurance Plan in PEI as of March 31, 2015, was 146,170.

3.2  Other Categories of Individuals

Foreign students, tourists, transients or visitors to PEI do not qualify as residents of the province and are, therefore, not eligible for hospital and medical insurance benefits.

Temporary workers, refugees and Minister's Permit holders are not eligible for hospital and medical insurance benefits.

4.0   Portability

4.1  Minimum Waiting Period

Insured persons who move to Prince Edward Island (PEI) are eligible for health insurance on the first day of the third month following the month of arrival in the province.

4.2  Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

Residents absent each year for any reasons must reside in PEI for at least six months plus a day each year in order to be eligible for sudden illness and emergency services while absent from the province, as allowed under section 11 of the Health Services Payment Act. A person, including a student, who is temporarily absent from the province for up to 182 days in a 12 month period must notify Health PEI before leaving.

PEI participates in the Hospital Reciprocal Billing Agreement and the Medical Reciprocal Billing Agreement along with other jurisdictions across Canada.

4.3  Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

The Health Services Payment Act is the enabling legislation that defines portability of health insurance during temporary absences outside Canada, as allowed under section 11.

Persons must reside in PEI for at least six months plus a day each year in order to be eligible for sudden illness and emergency services while absent from the province, as allowed under section 11 of the Health Services Payment Act.

Insured residents may be temporarily out of the country for up to a 12 month period in some circumstances.

Students attending a recognized learning institution in another country must provide proof of enrolment from the educational institution on an annual basis. Students must notify Health PEI upon returning from outside the country.

For PEI residents leaving the country for work purposes for longer than one year, coverage ends the day the person leaves.

For Island residents travelling outside Canada, coverage for emergency or sudden illness will be provided at PEI rates only, in Canadian currency. Residents are responsible for paying the difference between the full amount charged and the amount paid by the Department.

4.4  Prior Approval Requirement

Prior approval is required from Health PEI before receiving non-emergency, out-of-province medical or hospital services. Island residents seeking such required services may apply for prior approval through a PEI physician. Full coverage may be provided for (PEI insured) non-emergency or elective services, provided the physician completes an application to Health PEI. Prior approval is required from the Medical Director of Health PEI to receive out-of-country hospital or medical services not available in Canada.

5.0   Accessibility

5.1  Access to Insured Health Services

Both of Prince Edward Island's (PEI) hospital and medical services insurance plans provide services on uniform terms and conditions on a basis that does not impede or preclude reasonable access to those services by insured persons.

PEI has a publicly administered and funded health system that guarantees universal access to medically necessary hospital and physician services as required by the Canada Health Act.

PEI recognizes that the health system must constantly adapt and expand to meet the needs of our citizens. Several examples of initiatives from the 2014-2015 fiscal year include:

• PEI opened a new provincial palliative care centre which provides patients with more care options and their loved ones the opportunity to be involved in care.
• Investments were made to expand the newborn screening program, doubling the number of conditions and blood disorders covered. The program also will provide a full range of services beyond screening, such as arranging follow-up appointments, clinical visits and referral to specialists for patients who test positive for a condition.
• PEI implemented an Out-of-Province Travel Support Program to provide assistance to eligible Island residents for travel on Maritime Bus to approved health care services within the Maritime Provinces.
• A new addictions transition unit opened as part of Government's action plan to enhance addiction services for Islanders.
• Significant investments were made to increase and enhance services to children with complex needs. Services to be enhanced include pediatric occupational and physiotherapy, orthoptics, preschool autism assessments, and speech language pathology and audiology.

As PEI is primarily a rural province where a large segment of the population resides outside the main service centres, local access to health services, including acute services delivered through community hospitals and health centres, is important to small communities. PEI continues to expand health infrastructure necessary to support health service delivery in rural communities.

5.2  Physician Compensation

A collective bargaining process is used to negotiate physician compensation. Bargaining teams are appointed by both physicians and the government to represent their interests in the process. The current five-year Physician Master Agreement between the PEI Medical Society, on behalf of Island physicians, the Department of Health and Wellness, and Health PEI is effective April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2015. Negotiations for the new Master Agreement will begin in the fall of 2015.

The legislation governing payments to physicians and dentists for insured services is the Health Services Payment Act.

Many physicians continue to work on a fee-for-service basis; however, alternate payment plans have been developed and some physicians receive salary, contract and sessional payments. Alternate payment modalities are expanding and seem to be the preference for new graduates. Currently, 63 percent of PEI's physicians (excluding locums and visiting specialists) are compensated under an alternate payment method (non-fee-for-service) as their primary means of remuneration.

5.3  Payments to Hospitals

Payments (advances) to provincial hospitals and community hospitals for hospital services are approved for disbursement by the Department in line with cash requirements and are subject to approved budget levels.

The usual funding method includes using a global budget adjusted annually to take into consideration increased costs related to such items as labour agreements, drugs, medical supplies and facility operations.

6.0   Recognition Given To Federal Transfers

The Government of Prince Edward Island strives to recognize the federal contributions provided through the Canada Health Transfer whenever appropriate. Over the past year, this has included reference in public documents such as the Province of PEI 2014-2015 Annual Budget and in the 2014-2015 Public Accounts, which both were tabled in the Legislative Assembly and are publicly available to Prince Edward Island residents.

It is also the intent of the Department of Health and Wellness to recognize this important contribution in its 2014-2015 Annual Report.

Nova Scotia

Introduction

The Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness's vision and mission are:

• Vision: Healthy People, Healthy Communities for Generations
• Mission: Working together to achieve excellence in health, healing and learning

The health and wellness system includes the delivery of health care as well as the prevention of disease and injury and the promotion of health and healthy living. The Department is responsible for the following core program areas: mental health and addiction services; partnerships and physician services; pharmaceutical programs; primary health care; emergency health services; continuing care; acute and tertiary care; health system workforce; health care quality; public health; health services emergency management; health information and active living.

On April 1, 2015, Nova Scotia will implement amendments to the Health Authorities Act. The amendments will provide for new roles for the Minister of Health and Wellness and the health authorities. The amendments will also provide for the establishment of the Nova Scotia Health Authority, which is a consolidation of nine former district health authorities. The Minister of Health and Wellness will be responsible for: providing leadership for the health system by setting the strategic policy direction, priorities and standards for the health system; and ensuring accountability for funding and for the measuring and monitoring of health system performance. The health authorities (Nova Scotia Health Authority and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre - NSHA & IWK respectively) will be responsible for: governing, managing and providing health services in the Province and implementing the strategic direction set out in the provincial health plan; and engaging with the communities they serve, through the community health boards.

Nova Scotia faces a number of challenges in the delivery of health care services. Nova Scotia's population is aging. Approximately 18.9 percent of the Nova Scotian population is 65 or older; this figure is expected to reach 28.1 percent by 2030. In response to the needs of the aging population, Nova Scotia has expanded its basket of publicly insured services to include home care, long term care, and enhanced pharmaceutical coverage. Nova Scotia also has much higher than average rates of chronic diseases such as cancers and diabetes which contribute to the rising costs of health care delivery.

Despite these ever increasing pressures and challenges, Nova Scotia continues to be committed to the delivery of medically necessary services consistent with the principles of the Canada Health Act.

Additional information related to health care in Nova Scotia may be obtained from the Department of Health and Wellness.

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

Two plans cover insured health services in Nova Scotia: the Hospital Insurance and the Medical Services Insurance (MSI) Plans.

The Department of Health and Wellness administers the Hospital Insurance Plan, which operates under the Health Services and Insurance Act, Chapter 197, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989: sections 3(1), 5, 6, 10, 15, 16, 17(1), 18 and 35.

The MSI Plan is administered and operated by an authority consisting of the Department of Health and Wellness and Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated, under the above-mentioned Act (sections 8, 13, 17(2), 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 35).

Section 8 of the Act gives the Minister of Health and Wellness, with approval of the Governor in Council, the power to enter into agreements and vary, amend or terminate the same agreements with such person or persons as the Minister deems necessary to establish, implement and carry out the MSI Plan.

The Department of Health and Wellness and Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated entered into a service level agreement, effective August 1, 2005. Under the agreement, Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated is responsible for operating and administering programs contained under MSI, Pharmacare Programs and Health Card Registration Services.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

In the service level agreement, Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated is obliged to provide reports to the Department under various Statements of Requirements for each Business Service Description as listed in the contract. Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated is audited every year on various areas of reporting.

Section 17(1)(i) of the Health Services and Insurance Act, and sections 11(1) and 12(1) of the Hospital Insurance Regulations, under this Act, set out the terms for reporting by hospitals and hospital boards to the Minister of Health and Wellness.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

The Auditor General audits all expenditures of the Department of Health and Wellness. Under its service level agreement with the Department of Health and Wellness, Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated provides audited financial statements of MSI costs to the Department of Health and Wellness. The Auditor General and the Department of Health and Wellness have the right to perform audits of the administration of the agreement with Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated.

All long-term care facilities, home care and home support agencies are required to provide the Department of Health and Wellness with annual audited financial statements.

Under section 34(5) of the Health Authorities Act, every hospital board is required to submit to the Minister of Health and Wellness, by July 1st each year, an audited financial statement for the preceding fiscal year.

1.4 Designated Agency

Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated administers and has the authority to receive monies to pay physician accounts under the service level agreement with the Department of Health and Wellness. Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated receives written authorization from the Department of Health and Wellness to make these payments. The rates of pay and specific amounts depend on the physician contract negotiated between Doctors Nova Scotia and the Department of Health and Wellness.

The Department of Health and Wellness and the Office of the Auditor General, have the right, under the terms of the service level agreement, to audit all MSI and Pharmacare transactions.

Quikcard Solutions Incorporated (QSI) administers and has the authority to receive monies to pay dentists under a service level agreement with the Department of Health and Wellness. The tariff of dental fees is negotiated between the Nova Scotia Dental Association and the Department of Health and Wellness.

Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated is responsible for providing approximately 85 reports to the Department pertaining to health card administration, physician claims activity, financial monitoring, provider management, audit activities and program utilization. These reports are submitted on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. A complete list of reports can be obtained from the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.

As part of an agreement with the Department of Health and Wellness, QSI also provides monthly, quarterly, and annual reports with regard to dental programs in Nova Scotia. This includes dental services provided in-hospital as outlined in the Canada Health Act. These reports address provider claims and payment, program utilization, and audit. A complete list of reports can be obtained from the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

Nine district health authorities and the Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Centre — a women and children's tertiary care hospital — deliver insured hospital services to both in-patients and out-patients in Nova Scotia. The process for transitioning from nine provincial health authorities to one (Nova Scotia Health Authority) began in 2014-2015 and will officially be in place April 1, 2015.

Accreditation is not mandatory, but all facilities are accredited at a facility or district level. The enabling legislation that provides for insured hospital services in Nova Scotia is the Health Services and Insurance Act, Chapter 197, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989: sections 3(1), 5, 6, 10, 15, 16, 17(1), 18 and 35, passed by the Legislature in 1958. Hospital Insurance Regulations were made pursuant to the Health Services and Insurance Act.

The Insured Health Services Act was passed in December 2012, but has not yet been proclaimed. It will replace the current Health Services and Insurance Act which provides the statutory framework for health insurance programs in Nova Scotia. The new Act aims to modernize existing legislation (in place since 1973) and it commits to the principles of the Canada Health Act with the intent of ensuring equitable access to insured health services.

Under the Hospital Services Insurance Plan, in-patient services include:

• accommodation and meals at the standard ward level;
• necessary nursing services;
• laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures;
• routine surgical supplies;
• use of operating room(s), case room(s) and anaesthetic services;
• use of radiotherapy and physiotherapy services for in-patients, where available; and
• blood or therapeutic blood fractions.

Out-patient services include:

• laboratory and radiological examinations;
• diagnostic procedures involving the use of radio-pharmaceuticals;
• electroencephalographic examinations;
• use of occupational and physiotherapy facilities, where available;
• necessary nursing services;
• drugs, biologicals and related preparations;
• blood or therapeutic blood fractions;
• hospital services in connection with most minor medical and surgical procedures;
• day-patient diabetic care;
• services provided by the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Clinics, where available;
• ultrasonic diagnostic procedures;
• home parenteral nutrition, where available; and
• haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, where available.

Each year district health authorities and the IWK Health Centre submit business plans outlining budgets and priorities for the coming year to ensure safe and high quality access to care. Plans are evaluated through a centralized process by the Department of Health and Wellness and approved by Executive Council. Beginning in 2015, under the amended Health Authorities Act, which comes into force April 1, 2015, health authority business plans will be submitted on November 1st every year and will be approved by the Minister of Health and Wellness.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

The legislation covering the provision of insured physician services in Nova Scotia is the Health Services and Insurance Act, sections 3(2), 5, 8, 13, 13A, 17(2), 22, 27-31, 35 and the Medical Services Insurance Regulations.

As of March 31, 2015, 2,580 physicians were paid through the Medical Services Insurance (MSI) Plan.

Physicians retain the ability to opt in or out of the MSI Plan. In order to opt out, a physician notifies MSI, relinquishing his or her billing number. MSI reimburses patients who pay the physician directly due to opting out. As of March 31, 2015, no physicians had opted out.

Insured services include those that are medically necessary. Medically necessary may be defined as services provided by a physician to a patient with the intent to diagnose or treat physical or mental disease or dysfunction, as well as those services generally accepted as promoting health through prevention of disease or dysfunction. Services that are not medically necessary are not insured. Services explicitly deemed as non-insured under the Health Services and Insurance Act or its regulations remain uninsured regardless of individual judgments regarding the medical necessity.

Additional services were added to the list of insured physician services in 2014-2015. A complete list can be obtained from the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. On an as needed basis, new specific fee codes are approved that represent enhancements, new technologies or new ways of delivering a service.

The addition of new fee codes, or adjustment to existing fee codes, to the list of insured physician services is accomplished through a collaborative Department of Health and Wellness, Health Authority and Doctors Nova Scotia committee structure. Physicians wishing to have a new fee code added to the MSI Physician Manual submit a formal application to the Fee Schedule Advisory Committee (FSAC) for review. Each request is thoroughly researched. FSAC then makes a recommendation to the Master Agreement Steering Group (MASG) which either approves or denies the proposal. The MASG Committee is comprised of equal representation from Doctors Nova Scotia and the Department of Health and Wellness. If the fee is approved, Medavie Blue Cross Incorporated is directed to add the new fee to the schedule of insured services payable by the MSI Plan.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

To provide insured surgical-dental services under the Health Services and Insurance Act, dentists must be registered members of the Nova Scotia Dental Association and must also be certified competent in the practice of dental surgery. The Health Services and Insurance Act is written so that a dentist may choose not to participate in the MSI Plan. To participate, a dentist must register with MSI. A participating dentist who wishes to reverse election to participate must advise MSI in writing and is then no longer eligible to submit claims to MSI. In 2014-2015, 25 dentists submitted claims through the MSI Plan for providing insured surgical-dental services.

Insured surgical-dental services must be provided in a health care facility. Insured services are detailed in the Department of Health and Wellness MSI Dentist Manual (Dental Surgical Services Program) and are reviewed annually through the Partnerships and Physician Services Branch. Services under this program are insured when the conditions of the patient are such that it is medically necessary for the procedure to be done in a hospital and the procedure is of a surgical nature.

Generally included as insured surgical-dental services are orthognathic surgery, surgical removal of impacted teeth, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. Requests for an addition to the list of surgical-dental services are accomplished through the Dental Association of Nova Scotia who forwards a proposal to the Department of Health and Wellness. Then, in consultation with experts in the field, the Department renders a decision on the addition of the procedure as an insured service.

Insured services in the "Other extraction services" (routine extractions) category are approved for the following groups of patients: cardiac patients, transplant patients, immunocompromised patients, and radiation patients. This is the case only when patients are undergoing active treatment in a hospital setting and the attendant medical procedure must require the removal of teeth that would otherwise be considered routine extractions.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Uninsured hospital services include:

• preferred accommodation at the patient's request;
• telephones;
• televisions;
• drugs and biologicals ordered after discharge from hospital;
• cosmetic surgery;
• reversal of sterilization procedures;
• in-vitro fertilization;
• procedures performed as part of clinical research trials;
• services such as gastric bypass for morbid obesity, breast reduction/augmentation and newborn circumcision (These services may be insured when approved as special consideration for medical reasons only); and
• services not deemed medically necessary that are required by third parties, such as insurance companies.

Uninsured Physician Services include:

• services available to residents of Nova Scotia that are covered under any statute or law of any other jurisdiction, either within or outside of Canada;
• diagnostic, preventive or other physician's services available through the Nova Scotia Hospital Insurance Program, the Department of Health and Wellness, or other government agencies;
• services at the request of a third party;
• provision of a prescription or a requisition for a diagnostic or therapeutic service provided to a patient without a clinical evaluation;
• physician's services provided to their own families;
• services performed for cosmetic purposes only;
• group immunizations performed without receiving preapproval by MSI;
• acupuncture;
• electrolysis;
• reversal of sterilization;
• in vitro fertilization;
• provision of travel vaccines;
• newborn circumcision;
• release of tongue tie in newborn;
• removal of cerumen, except in the case of a febrile child;
• treatment of warts or other benign conditions of the skin;
• comprehensive visits when there are no signs, symptoms or family history of disease or disability;
• services, supplies and other materials not part of office overhead, including for example, photocopying or other costs associated with transfer of records;
• items such as drugs, dressings, and tray fees; physician's advice by telephone, letter, fax or email, with exceptions; and
• mileage or travelling time.

Of note is the removal of sex reassignment surgery from the explicit list of services that are not insured through MSI. Sex reassignment surgery became an insured service April 1, 2014.

Major third party agencies currently purchasing medically necessary health services in Nova Scotia include Workers' Compensation and the Department of National Defence.

All residents of the province are entitled to services covered under the Health Services and Insurance Act. If enhanced goods and services, such as foldable intraocular lens or fiberglass casts, are offered as an alternative, the specialist or physician is responsible to ensure that the patient is aware of their responsibility for the cost. Patients are not denied service based on their inability to pay. The province provides alternatives to any of the enhanced goods and services.

The Department of Health and Wellness carefully reviews all patient complaints or public concerns that may indicate that the general principles of insured services are not being followed.

If a service or procedure is deemed by the Department of Health and Wellness not to be medically necessary, it is removed from the physician fee schedule and will no longer be reimbursed to physicians as an insured service. Once a service has been de-insured, all procedures and testing relating to the provision of that service also become de-insured. The same also applies to dental services and hospital services. The last time there was any significant de-insurance of services was in 1997.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

Eligibility for insured health care services in Nova Scotia is outlined under section 2 of the Hospital Insurance Regulations made pursuant to section 17 of the Health Services and Insurance Act. All residents of Nova Scotia are eligible. A resident is defined as anyone who is legally entitled to stay in Canada and who makes his or her home and is ordinarily present in Nova Scotia.

In 2014-2015, a person is considered to be "ordinarily present" in Nova Scotia if the person:

• makes his or her permanent home in Nova Scotia;
• is physically present in Nova Scotia for at least 183 days in any calendar year (short term absences under 30 days, within Canada, are not monitored); and
• is a Canadian citizen or "Permanent Resident" as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Persons moving to Nova Scotia from another Canadian province will normally be eligible for Medical Services Insurance (MSI) on the first day of the third month following the month of their arrival. Persons moving permanently to Nova Scotia from another country are eligible on the date of their arrival in the province, provided they are Canadian citizens or hold "Permanent Resident" status as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Individuals insured under the Workers' Compensation Act or any other Act of the Legislature or of the Parliament of Canada, or under any statute or law of any other jurisdiction either within or outside Canada, are not eligible for MSI coverage (such as members of the Canadian Forces, federal inmates and some classes of refugees). Once individuals are no longer covered under any of the Acts, statutes or laws noted above, they are then eligible to apply and receive Nova Scotia health insurance coverage, provided that they are either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

In 2014-2015, the total number of residents registered with the health insurance plan was 1,001,708.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

Other individuals may be eligible for insured health care services in Nova Scotia if they meet specific eligibility criteria listed below:

Immigrants: Persons moving from another country to live permanently in Nova Scotia are eligible for health care on the date of arrival. They must possess a landed immigrant document. These individuals, formerly called "landed immigrants," are now referred to as "permanent residents."

Non-Canadians married to Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents (copy of marriage certificate required), who possess the required documentation from Citizenship and Immigration Canada indicating they have applied for permanent residency, will be eligible for coverage on the date of arrival in Nova Scotia (if applied prior to their arrival to Nova Scotia), or the date of application for permanent residency (if applied after their arrival in Nova Scotia).

Convention refugees or persons in need of protection who possess the required documentation from Citizenship and Immigration Canada indicating they have applied for permanent residency will be eligible for coverage on the date of application for permanent residency.

In 2014-2015, there were 37,835 permanent residents registered with the health care insurance plan.

Refugees: Refugees are eligible for MSI once they have been granted permanent residency status by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, or if they possess either a work permit or study permit.

Work Permits: Persons moving to Nova Scotia from outside the country who possess a work permit can apply for coverage on the date of arrival in Nova Scotia, provided they will be remaining in Nova Scotia for at least one full year. A declaration must be signed to confirm that the worker will not be outside Nova Scotia for more than 31 consecutive days, unless required in the course of employment. MSI coverage is extended for a maximum of 12 months at a time. Each year, a copy of their renewed immigration document must be presented and a declaration signed. Dependents of such persons, who are legally entitled to remain in Canada, are granted coverage on the same basis.

Once coverage has terminated, the person is to be treated as never having qualified for health services coverage as herein provided and must comply with the above requirements before coverage will be extended to them or their dependents.

In 2014-2015, there were 3,019 individuals with Employment Authorizations covered under the health care insurance plan.

Study Permits: Persons moving to Nova Scotia from another country and who possess a Study Permit will be eligible for MSI on the first day of the thirteenth month following the month of their arrival, provided they have not been absent from Nova Scotia for more than 31 consecutive days, unless required in the course of their studies. MSI coverage is extended for a maximum of 12 months at a time and only for services received within Nova Scotia. Each year, a copy of their renewed immigration document must be presented and a declaration signed. Dependents of such persons, who are legally entitled to remain in Canada, will be granted coverage on the same basis once the student has gained entitlement.

In 2014-2015, there were 1,467 individuals with Student Authorizations covered under the health care insurance plan.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

Persons moving to Nova Scotia from another Canadian province or territory will normally be eligible for Medical Services Insurance (MSI) on the first day of the third month following the month of their arrival.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

The Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability is followed in all matters pertaining to the portability of insured services.

Generally, the Nova Scotia MSI Plan provides coverage for residents of Nova Scotia who move to other provinces or territories for a period of three months, per the Eligibility and Portability Agreement. Students and their dependents, who are temporarily absent from Nova Scotia and in full-time attendance at an educational institution, may remain eligible for MSI on a yearly basis. To qualify for MSI, the student must provide to MSI a letter directly from the educational institution which states that they are registered as a full-time student. MSI coverage will be extended on a yearly basis pending receipt of this letter.

Workers who leave Nova Scotia to seek employment elsewhere will still be covered by MSI for up to 12 months, provided they do not establish residence in another province or territory. Services provided to Nova Scotia residents in other provinces or territories are covered by reciprocal agreements. Nova Scotia participates in the Hospital Reciprocal Billing Agreement and the Medical Reciprocal Billing Agreement. Québec is the only province that does not participate in the Medical Reciprocal Billing Agreement. Nova Scotia pays for services provided by Québec physicians to Nova Scotia residents at Québec rates if the services are insured in Nova Scotia. The majority of such claims are received directly from Québec physicians. In-patient hospital services are paid through the interprovincial reciprocal billing arrangement at the standard ward rate of the hospital providing the service. Nova Scotia pays the host province rates for insured services in all reciprocal billing situations.

The total amount paid by the plan in 2014-2015 for in-patient and out-patient hospital services received in other provinces and territories was $31,336,298.

As of August 1, 2014 Nova Scotia residents are permitted out of province for vacation for one additional month. This allows Nova Scotians to have a vacation outside of the province for seven months in each calendar year and continue to be eligible for MSI.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

Nova Scotia adheres to the Agreement on Eligibility and Portability for dealing with insured services for residents temporarily outside Canada. Provided a Nova Scotia resident meets eligibility requirements, out-of-country services will be paid, at a minimum, on the basis of the amount that would have been paid by Nova Scotia for similar services rendered in this province. In order to be covered, procedures of a non-emergency nature must have prior approval before they will be covered by MSI.

As of August 1, 2014 Nova Scotia residents are permitted out of country for vacation for one additional month. This allows Nova Scotians to have a vacation outside of the country for seven months in each calendar year and continue to be eligible for MSI.

Students and their dependents who are temporarily absent from Nova Scotia and in full-time attendance at an educational institution outside Canada may remain eligible for MSI on a yearly basis. To qualify for MSI, the student must provide to MSI a letter obtained from the educational institution that verifies the student's attendance there in each year for which MSI coverage is requested.

Persons who engage in employment (including volunteer, missionary work or research) outside Canada which does not exceed 24 months are still covered by MSI, providing the person has already met the residency requirements.

The total amount spent in 2014-2015 for insured in-patient services provided outside of Canada was $777,019. Nova Scotia does not cover out-patient services out of country.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

Prior approval must be obtained for elective services outside the country. Application for prior approval is made to the Medical Director of the MSI Plan by a specialist in Nova Scotia on behalf of an insured resident. The medical consultant reviews the terms and conditions and determines whether or not the service is available in the province, or if it can be provided in another province or only out-of-country. The decision of the medical consultant is relayed to the patient's referring specialist. If approval is given to obtain service outside the country, the full cost of that service will be covered under MSI.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

Section 3 of the Health Services and Insurance Act states that subject to this Act and the regulations, all residents of the province are entitled to receive insured hospital services from hospitals on uniform terms and conditions. As well, all residents of the province are insured on uniform terms and conditions in respect of the payment of insured professional services to the extent of the established tariff. There are no user charges or extra charges allowed under the plan.

Nova Scotia continually reviews access situations across Canada to ensure equity of access. In areas where improvement is deemed necessary, depending on the province's financial situation, extra funding is generally allocated to that need.

Eight Collaborative Emergency Centers (CECs) are now open to provide Nova Scotians living in smaller communities expanded access to primary health care, same day or next day access to appointments and 24/7 access to emergency care. Emergency Department closures have been significantly reduced at CEC sites. The Department has worked with system partners to address several other areas of health care access. The current focus is the introduction of Emergency Care Standards across the province.

The province committed to begin a process of transitioning from nine district health authorities to one provincial health authority. The new structure will create a health system that is focused on province-wide solutions. This new structure will be in place by April 1, 2015.

Alternative Payment Plans for physicians continued to be implemented and/or expanded to improve recruitment in rural and hard-to-fill areas, improving access to primary health care in those communities.

5.2 Physician Compensation

The Health Services and Insurance Act, RS Chapter 197 governs payment to physicians and dentists for insured services. Physician payments are made in accordance with a negotiated agreement between Doctors Nova Scotia (the sole bargaining agent for physicians) and the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. Fee-for-service is still the most prevalent method of payment for physician services; however, there has been significant growth in the number of alternative payment arrangements in place in Nova Scotia.

In the 1997-1998 fiscal year, about 9 percent of doctors were paid solely through alternative funding. In 2014-2015, approximately 24 percent of physicians were remunerated exclusively through alternative funding. Approximately 65 percent of physicians in Nova Scotia receive all or a portion of their remuneration through alternative funding mechanisms such as academic funding agreements with clinical departments for the provision of clinical, academic, administrative and research services; alternative payment plans for individual physicians and groups used mostly in rural areas; and other funding programs such as emergency agreements and sessional funding.

Payment rates for dental services in the province are negotiated between the Department of Health and Wellness and the Nova Scotia Dental Association following a process similar to physician negotiations. Dentists are generally paid on a fee-for-service basis, pediatric dentists at the IWK Health Centre receive remuneration through an Academic Funding Plan.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

The Department of Health and Wellness establishes budget targets for health care services. It does this by receiving business plans from the nine district health authorities (DHAs), the IWK Health Centre and other non-DHA organizations. Approved provincial estimates form the basis on which payments are made to these organizations for service delivery.

The Health Authorities Act was given Royal Assent on June 8, 2000. The Act instituted the nine DHAs and the IWK that replaced the former regional health boards. The DHAs and the IWK are responsible for overseeing the delivery of health services in their districts, and are fully accountable for explaining their decisions on the community health plans through their business plan submissions to the Department of Health and Wellness. The Act has been amended and the changes will come into force April 1, 2015. The amendments provide for the consolidation of the nine district health authorities into one provincial health authority, the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA). The IWK will remain as a health authority. The NSHA and IWK will be required to work collaboratively in delivering services to Nova Scotians.

Section 10 of the Health Services and Insurance Act and sections 9 through 13 of the Hospital Insurance Regulations define the terms for payments by the Minister of Health and Wellness to hospitals for insured hospital services.

In 2014-2015, there were 3,069 hospital beds in Nova Scotia (3.3 beds per 1,000 population). Department of Health and Wellness direct expenditures for insured hospital services operating costs were increased to $1,735,234,990.

6.0 Recognition Given to Federal Transfers

In Nova Scotia, the Health Services and Insurance Act acknowledges the federal contribution regarding the cost of insured hospital services and insured health services provided to provincial residents. The residents of Nova Scotia are aware of ongoing federal contributions to Nova Scotia health care through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) as well as other federal funds through press releases and media coverage.

The Government of Nova Scotia also recognized the federal contribution under the CHT in various published documents, including the following documents:

• Public Accounts 2013-2014 released July 24, 2014; and
• Budget Estimates and Supplementary Detail 2014-2015 released April 3, 2014.

New Brunswick

Introduction

During 2014-2015, New Brunswick's health system partners continued their efforts to ensure the health care system remained effective, efficient and affordable. Through the work of all the health partners — Horizon Health Network, Vitalité Health Network, FacilicorpNB, NB Health Council and the Department of Health — they collectively worked towards improving the system's performance to better meet the needs of today and, tomorrow while continuing a commitment to the five fundamental principles under the Canada Health Act.

For information concerning any of the province's health programs and services, please visit the New Brunswick Ministry of Health.

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

In New Brunswick, the formal name for Medicare is the Medical Services Plan. The Minister of Health (Minister) is responsible for operating and administering the plan by virtue of the Medical Services Payment Act and its regulations. The Act and regulations set out who is eligible for Medicare coverage, the rights of the patient, and the responsibilities of the Department of Health (the Department). This law establishes a Medicare plan, and defines which Medicare services are covered and which are excluded. It also stipulates the type of agreements the Department may enter into with provinces and territories and with the New Brunswick Medical Society. As well, it specifies the rights of a medical practitioner; how the amounts to be paid for medical services will be determined; how assessment of accounts for medical services may be made; and confidentiality and privacy issues as they relate to the administration of the Act.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

The Medicare—Insured Services Branch and the Medicare—Eligibility and Claims Branch of the Department are mandated to administer the Medical Services Plan. The Minister reports to the Legislative Assembly through the Department's annual report and through regular legislative processes.

The Regional Health Authorities Act establishes the regional health authorities (RHAs) and sets forth the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the same. The Minister is responsible for the administration of the Act, provides direction to each RHA, and may delegate additional powers, duties or functions to the RHAs.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

Three groups have a mandate to audit the Medical Services Plan.

The Office of the Auditor General: In accordance with the Auditor General Act, the Office of the Auditor General conducts the external audit of the accounts of the Province of New Brunswick, which includes the financial records of the Department. The Auditor General also conducts management reviews on programs as he or she sees fit.

The Office of the Comptroller: The Comptroller is the chief internal auditor for the Province of New Brunswick and provides accounting, audit and consulting services in accordance with responsibilities and authority set out in the Financial Administration Act.

Monitoring and Compliance Team: This team is tasked with managing compliance with the Medical Payment Services Act and regulations, as well as the Negotiated Fee Schedule.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

Legislation providing for insured hospital services includes the Hospital Services Act, section 9 of Regulation 84-167, and the Hospital Act. Under Regulation 84-167 of the Hospital Services Act, New Brunswick residents are entitled to the following insured hospital services:

Insured in-patient services include: accommodation and meals; nursing; laboratory/diagnostic procedures; drugs; the use of facilities (e.g., surgical, radiotherapy, physiotherapy); and services provided by professionals within the facility.

Insured out-patient services include: laboratory and diagnostic procedures; mammography; and the hospital component of available out-patient services for maintaining health, preventing disease and helping diagnose or treat any injury, illness or disability, excluding those related to the provision of drugs or third party diagnostic requests.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

The Medical Services Payment Act and corresponding regulations provide for insured physician services. As of March 31, 2015 there were 1,631 participating physicians in New Brunswick. No physicians rendering health care services elected to opt out of the Medical Services Plan. When a physician opts out of Medicare, they must complete the specified Medicare claim form and indicate the amount charged to the patient. The beneficiary then seeks reimbursement by certifying on the claim form that the services have been received and forwarding the claim form to Medicare. The charges must not exceed the Medicare tariff. If the charges are in excess of the Medicare tariff, the practitioner must inform the beneficiary before rendering the service that:

• they have opted out and charge fees above the Medicare tariff;
• in accepting services under these conditions, the patient waives all rights to Medicare reimbursement;
• the patient is entitled to seek services from another practitioner who participates in the Medical Services Plan; and
• the physician must obtain a signed waiver from the patient on the specified form and forward the form to Medicare.

The services which residents are entitled to under Medicare include:

1. the medical portion of all medically required services rendered by medical practitioners; and
2. certain surgical-dental procedures when performed by a physician or a dental surgeon in a hospital.

A physician or the Department may request the addition of a new service. All requests are considered by the New Service Items Committee, which is jointly managed by the New Brunswick Medical Society and the Department. The decision to add a new service is usually based on conformity to the definition of "medically necessary" and whether the service is considered generally acceptable practice (not experimental) within New Brunswick and/or Canada. Considerations under the term "medically necessary" include services required for maintaining health, preventing disease and/or diagnosing or treating an injury, illness or disability. No public consultation process is used.

In 2014-2015 no new services were added to the list of insured services.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

Schedule 4 of Regulation 84-20 under the Medical Services Payment Act identifies the insured surgical-dental services that can be provided by a qualified dental practitioner in a hospital, providing the condition of the patient requires services to be rendered in a hospital.

In addition, a general dental practitioner may be paid to assist another dentist for medically required services under some conditions. In addition to Schedule 4 of Regulation 84-20, oral maxillofacial surgeons (OMS) have added access to approximately 300 service codes in the Physician Manual and can admit or discharge patients and perform physical examinations, including those performed in an out-patient setting. OMSs may also see patients for consultation in their office.

As of March 31, 2015, there were just over 100 OMSs and dentists registered in New Brunswick; in 2014-2015, 18 provided services insured under the Medical Services Plan.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Uninsured hospital services include: take-home drugs; third-party requests for diagnostic services; visits to administer drugs; vaccines; sera or biological products; televisions and telephones; preferred accommodation at the patient's request; and hospital services directly related to services listed under Schedule 2 of the Regulation under the Medical Services Payment Act. Services are not insured if provided to those entitled under other statutes.

The services listed in Schedule 2 of New Brunswick Regulation 84-20 under the Medical Services Payment Act are specifically excluded from the range of entitled medical services under Medicare. They are as follows:

• elective plastic surgery or other services for cosmetic purposes;
• correction of inverted nipple;
• breast augmentation;
• otoplasty for persons over the age of eighteen;
• removal of minor skin lesions, except where the lesions are, or are suspected to be, pre-cancerous;
• abortion, unless the abortion is performed in a hospital facility approved by the jurisdiction in which the hospital facility is located;
• surgical assistance for cataract surgery unless such assistance is required because of risk of procedural failure, other than risk inherent in the removal of the cataract itself, due to existence of an illness or other complication;
• medicines, drugs, materials, surgical supplies or prosthetic devices;
• advice or prescription renewal by telephone which is not specifically provided for in the Schedule of Fees;
• examination of medical records or certificates at the request of a third party, or other services required by hospital regulations or medical by-laws;
• dental services provided by a medical practitioner or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon;
• services that are generally accepted within New Brunswick as experimental or that are provided as applied research;
• services that are provided in conjunction with, or in relation to, the services referred to above;
• testimony in a court or before any other tribunal;
• immunization, examinations or certificates for purpose of travel, employment, emigration, insurance or at the request of any third party;
• services provided by medical practitioners or oral and maxillofacial surgeons to members of their immediate family;
• psychoanalysis;
• electrocardiogram (E.C.G.) where not performed by a specialist in internal medicine or paediatrics;
• laboratory procedures not included as part of an examination or consultation fee;
• refractions;
• services provided within the province by medical practitioners, oral and maxillofacial surgeons or dental practitioners for which the fee exceeds the amount payable under regulation;
• the fitting and supplying of eye glasses or contact lenses;
• trans-sexual surgery;
• radiology services provided in the province by a private radiology clinic;
• acupuncture;
• complete medical examinations when performed for the purposes of periodic check-up and not for medically necessary purposes;
• circumcision of a newborn;
• reversal of vasectomies;
• second and subsequent injections for impotence;
• reversal of tubal ligations;
• intrauterine insemination;
• bariatric surgery unless the person has a body mass index of 40 or greater or of 35 or greater but less than 40, as well as obesity-related comorbid conditions;
• venipuncture for purposes of taking blood when performed as a stand-alone procedure in a facility that is not an approved hospital facility.

Dental services not specifically listed in Schedule 4 of the Dental Schedule are not covered by the Plan. Those listed in Schedule 2 are considered the only non-insured medical services. There are no specific policies or guidelines, other than the Act and regulations, to ensure that charges for uninsured medical goods and services (e.g., fiberglass casts), provided in conjunction with an insured health service, do not compromise reasonable access to insured services.

The decision to de-insure physician or surgical-dental services is based on the conformity of the service to the definition of "medically necessary," a review of medical service plans across the country, and the previous use of the particular service. Once a decision to de-insure is reached, the Medical Services Payment Act dictates that the government may not make any changes to the Regulation until the advice and recommendations of the New Brunswick Medical Society are received or until the period within which the Society was requested by the Minister to furnish advice and make recommendations has expired. Subsequent to receiving their input and resolution of any issues, a regulatory change is completed. Physicians are informed in writing following notification of approval. The public is usually informed through a media release. No public consultation process is used.

In 2014-2015, no services were removed from the insured services list.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

Sections 3 and 4 of the Medical Services Payment Act and Regulation 84-20 define eligibility for the health care insurance plan in New Brunswick.

Residents are required to complete a Medicare application and provide proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of residency, or a valid Canadian immigration document. A resident is defined as a person lawfully entitled to be, or to remain, in Canada, who makes his or her home and is ordinarily present in New Brunswick, but does not include a tourist, transient, or visitor to the province.

As of March 31, 2015, there were 750,691 persons registered in New Brunswick.

All persons entering or returning to New Brunswick (excluding children adopted from outside Canada) have a waiting period before becoming eligible for Medicare coverage. Coverage commences on the first day of the third month following the month of arrival. Exceptions are as follows:

• Dependents of Canadian Armed Forces personnel or their spouses moving from within Canada to New Brunswick are entitled to first day coverage under the program, provided they are deemed to have established permanent residency in New Brunswick.
• Immigrants or Canadian residents moving or returning to New Brunswick from outside of Canada are entitled to first day coverage, provided they are deemed to have established permanent residency in the province. Proper documentation is required (Immigration and Citizenship documentation) and decisions on coverage and residency are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Residents who were not eligible for Medicare coverage during this reporting period included:

• regular members of the Canadian Armed Forces;
• inmates at federal institutions;
• temporary residents;
• a family member who moves from another province to New Brunswick before other family members move;
• persons who have entered New Brunswick from another province to further their education and who are eligible to receive coverage under the medical services plan of that province; and
• non-Canadians who are issued certain types of Canadian authorization permits (e.g., a Student Authorization).

Persons who are discharged or released in New Brunswick from the Canadian Armed Forces, or a federal penitentiary, become eligible for coverage on the date of their discharge or release. An application must be completed and signed, and have proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of residency and the official date of release.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

Non-Canadians who may be issued an immigration permit that would not normally entitle them to Medicare coverage are eligible provided that they are legally married to, living in a common-law relationship with or are a dependent of an eligible New Brunswick resident and possess a valid immigration permit. They are required to provide an updated immigration document prior to the previous permit expiring.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

A person is eligible for New Brunswick Medicare coverage on the first day of the third month following the month permanent residency has been established. The three month waiting period is legislated under New Brunswick's Medical Services Payment Act. Refer to section 3.1 for exceptions.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

The legislation that defines portability of health insurance during temporary absences in Canada is the Medical Services Payment Act, Regulation 84-20, sub-sections 3(4) and 3(5).

Medicare coverage may be extended upon request in the case of temporary absences to:

• students in full-time attendance at an educational institution outside New Brunswick;
• residents temporarily working in another jurisdiction; and
• residents whose employment requires them to travel outside the province.

Students

Those in full-time attendance at a university or other approved educational institution, who leave the province to further their education in another province, will be granted coverage for a 12 month period that is renewable, provided the following terms are met:

• Medicare is contacted once every 12 months;
• permanent residency is not established outside New Brunswick; and
• health coverage is not received elsewhere.

Residents

Residents temporarily employed in another province or territory, are granted coverage for up to 12 months provided the following terms are met:

• permanent residency is not established outside New Brunswick; and
• health insurance coverage is not received elsewhere.

New Brunswick has formal agreements for reciprocal billing arrangements of insured hospital services with all provinces and territories. In addition, New Brunswick has reciprocal agreements with all provinces, except Quebec, for the provision of insured physician services. Services provided by Quebec physicians to New Brunswick residents are paid at Quebec rates provided the service delivered is insured in New Brunswick. The majority of such claims are received directly from Quebec physicians. Any claims submitted directly by a patient are reimbursed to the patient.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

The legislation that defines portability of health insurance during temporary absences outside Canada is the Medical Services Payment Act, Regulation 84-20, subsections 3(4) and 3(5).

Eligibility for temporarily absent New Brunswick residents is determined in accordance with the Medical Services Payment Act and regulations and the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability.

The Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability is for within Canada and has no bearing on the individual provinces handling of movement outside of Canada.

Residents temporarily employed outside Canada are granted coverage for 182 days. This may be extended up to 12 months within a three year period upon approval from the Director of Medicare Eligibility and Claims. Exceptions to this are Mobile and Contract workers.

Coverage for any absence over 212 days for vacation purposes requires approval from the Director of Medicare Eligibility and Claims. This approval can only be for up to 12 months in duration and will only be granted once every three years.

New Brunswick residents exceeding the 12 month extension have to reapply for New Brunswick Medicare upon their return to the province. In this instance, cases are reviewed on a case by case basis. Depending on the circumstances, some cases may be eligible for first day coverage while others who have been away from the province slightly beyond the 12 month period may be given a grace period.

Insured residents who receive insured emergency services out-of-country are eligible to be reimbursed $100 per day for in-patient stays and $50 per out-patient visit. The insured resident is reimbursed for physician services associated with the emergency treatment at New Brunswick rates. The difference in rates is the patient's responsibility.

Mobile Workers

Mobile Workers are residents whose employment requires them to travel outside the province (e.g., pilots). The following guidelines must be met to receive Mobile Worker designation:

• applications must be in writing;
• documentation is required as proof of Mobile Worker status (e.g., letter from employer or contract confirming that frequent travel is necessary outside the province; a letter from the resident detailing their permanent residence as New Brunswick and the frequency of their return to the province; a copy of their New Brunswick driver's license; if working outside Canada, a copy of resident's immigration documents that allow them to work outside the country); and
• the worker must return to New Brunswick during their off-time.

Mobile Worker status is assigned for a maximum of two years, after which the resident must reapply and submit documentation to confirm a continuation of Mobile Worker status.

Contract Workers

Any New Brunswick resident accepting a contract out-of-country must supply the following information and documentation:

• a letter of request from the New Brunswick resident with their signature, detailing their absence, Medicare number, address, departure and return dates, destination, forwarding address, and reason for absence; and
• a copy of a contractual agreement between employee and employer indicating start and end dates of employment.

Contract Worker status is assigned up to a maximum of two years. Any further requests for contract worker status must be forwarded to the Director of Medicare Eligibility and Claims for approval on an individual basis.

Students

Those in full-time attendance at a university or other approved educational institution in another country will be granted coverage for a 12 month period that is renewable, provided they comply with the following:

• proof of enrolment must be provided from the educational institution on an annual basis;
• Medicare must be contacted once every 12 months;
• permanent residency cannot be established outside New Brunswick; and
• health insurance coverage cannot be received elsewhere.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

Medicare may cover out-of-country services that are not available in Canada on a pre-approval basis only. Residents may opt to seek non-emergency out-of-country services; however, they are responsible for assuming the total cost.

New Brunswick residents may be eligible for reimbursement if they receive elective medical services outside the country, provided the following requirements are met:

• the required service or equivalent, or an alternate service must not be available in Canada;
• the service must be rendered in a hospital listed in the current edition of the American Hospital Association Guide to the Health Care Field (guide to United States hospitals, health care systems, networks, alliances, health organizations, agencies and providers);
• the service must be rendered by a medical doctor; and
• the service must be an accepted method of treatment recognized by the medical community and be regarded as scientifically proven in Canada. Experimental procedures are not covered.

If the above requirements are met, it is mandatory to request prior approval from Medicare in order to receive coverage. A physician, patient or family member may request prior approval to receive these services outside the country, accompanied by supporting documentation from a Canadian specialist or specialists.

Out-of-country insured services that are not available in Canada, are non-experimental, and receive prior approval are paid in full. Often the amount payable is negotiated with the provider by Europ Assistance - Global Corporate Solutions on the province's behalf.

Heamodialysis is exempt from the out-of-country coverage policy. Patients are required to obtain prior approval and Medicare will reimburse the resident at a rate equivalent to the inter-provincial rate of $472 per session.

Prior approval is also required to refer patients to psychiatric hospitals and addiction centres outside the province because they are excluded from the Interprovincial Reciprocal Billing Agreement. A request for prior approval must be received by Medicare from the Addiction Services or Mental Health branches of the Department.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

New Brunswick's health care system delivers equitable, quality care to the public it serves. New Brunswick does not charge user fees for insured health services as defined by the Canada Health Act.

Access in a resident's official language of choice is not a limiting factor, regardless of where a resident receives services in the province.

5.2 Physician Compensation

Payments to physicians and dentists are governed under the Medical Services Payment Act, Regulations 84-20, 93-143 and 2002-53.

The methods used to compensate physicians for providing insured health services in New Brunswick are fee-for-service, salary and sessional, or alternate payment mechanisms that may include a blended system.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

The legislative authorities governing payments to hospital facilities in New Brunswick are the Hospital Act, which governs the administration of hospitals, and the Hospital Services Act, which governs the financing of hospitals. The Regional Health Authorities Act provides for the delivery and administration of health services in defined geographic areas within the province.

The Department mainly distributes available funding to New Brunswick's regional health authorities (RHAs) through a Current Service Level approach. The funding base of the RHA from the previous year is the starting point, to which approved salary increases and a global inflator for non-wage items are added. This applies to all clinical services provided by hospital facilities, as well as support services (e.g., administration, food services, etc.). Funding for the Extra-Mural Program (home care) is also part of the RHA base.

Funding for FacilicorpNB, a shared services agency that manages the information technology, materials management, laundry and clinical engineering components of the hospital facilities in New Brunswick, is also based on the Current Service Level approach.

Any requests for funding for new programs or services are submitted to the Deputy Minister of Health for approval. Funding for approved new programs or services is based on requirements identified through discussions between Department of Health and RHA staff. These amounts are added to the RHA funding base once there is agreement on the funding requirements.

6.0 Recognition Given to Federal Transfers

New Brunswick recognizes the federal role regarding its contributions under the Canada Health Transfer in public documentation presented through legislative and administrative processes. Federal transfers are identified in the Main Estimates document and in the Public Accounts of New Brunswick. Both documents are published annually by the New Brunswick government.

Quebec

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

The Quebec Hospital Insurance Plan is administered by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (MSSS) [the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services].

Quebec's health and drug insurance plans are administered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (the Régie), a public body established by the provincial government that reports to the Minister of Health and Social Services.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

The Public Administration Act (R.S.Q., c. A-6.01) sets forth government criteria for preparing reports on the planning and performance of public authorities, including the MSSS and the Régie.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

The Quebec Hospital Insurance Plan and the Quebec health and drug insurance plans are administered by the public authorities on a non-profit basis. All books and accounts are audited by the auditor general of the province.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

Insured in-patient services include the following: Standard ward accommodation and meals; necessary nursing services; routine surgical supplies; diagnostic services; use of operating rooms, delivery rooms and anaesthetic facilities; medication; prosthetic and orthotic devices that can be integrated with the human body; biological products and related preparations; use of radiotherapy and physiotherapy facilities; and services delivered by hospital staff.

Out-patient services include the following: Clinical services for psychiatric care; electroshock, insulin and behaviour therapies; emergency care; minor surgery (day surgery); radiotherapy; diagnostic services; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; inhalation therapy, audiology, speech therapy and orthoptic services; and other services or examinations required under Quebec legislation.

Other insured services include the following: Mechanical, hormonal or chemical contraception services; surgical sterilization services (including tubal ligation or vasectomy); reanastomosis of the fallopian tubes or vas deferens; and extraction of a tooth or root when the patient's health status makes hospital services necessary.

The MSSS administers an ambulance transportation program that is free of charge to persons aged 65 and older.

In addition to basic insured health services, the Régie also covers optometric services for people who are under age 18 and 65 and over, and for last-resort financial assistance recipients; dental care for children age 10 and under and last-resort financial assistance recipients; and acrylic dental prostheses for last-resort financial assistance recipients.

It also covers, for Quebec residents, as defined in the Health Insurance Act (R.S.Q. c. A 29) who meet the eligibility criteria for each program, prostheses, orthotics, orthopedic appliances, walking and posture aids; hearing aids and assistive listening devices; visual aids; external breast prostheses; ocular prostheses; permanent ostomy appliances and compression clothing for people with lymphedema.

With regard to drug insurance, since January 1, 1997, the Régie has covered, in addition to recipients of last-resort financial assistance and persons aged 65 and over, Quebec residents who otherwise would not have access to a private drug insurance plan. In 2014-2015, the drug insurance plan covered 3.5 million insured persons.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

Services insured under this plan include medical and surgical services that are provided by physicians participating in the plan and are medically necessary.

Family planning services set forth by legislation and provided by a physician are insured, as are assisted reproduction services set forth by regulation.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

Services insured under this plan include maxillo-facial surgery performed by dental surgeons and specialists in oral and maxillo-facial surgery, in a prescribed hospital centre or university institution.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Uninsured hospital services include plastic surgery for purely cosmetic purposes, a private or semi-private room at the patient's request, televisions, telephones, drugs and biological products ordered after discharge from hospital, and services for which the patient is covered under the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases or other federal or provincial legislation.

The following services, among others, are not insured: any examination or service not related to a process of curing or preventing illness; psychoanalysis of any kind, unless such service is delivered in a facility maintained by an institution authorized for such purpose by the Minister of Health and Social Services; any service provided solely for aesthetic purposes; any refractive surgery, except where there is documented failure in respect of corrective lenses and contact lenses for astigmatism of more than 3.00 diopters or anisometropia of more than 5.00 diopters measured from the cornea; any consultation by telecommunication or by correspondence; any service delivered by a professional to his or her spouse or children; any examination, expert appraisal, testimony, certificate or other formality required for legal purposes or by a person other than the one who has received an insured service, except in certain cases; any visit made for the sole purpose of obtaining the renewal of a prescription; any examination, vaccination, immunization or injection where the service is provided to a group or for certain purposes; any service delivered by a professional on the basis of an agreement or contract with an employer, association or body; any adjustment of eyeglasses or contact lenses; any surgical extraction of a tooth or dental fragment performed by a physician, unless such a service is provided in a hospital centre in certain cases; all acupuncture procedures; injection of sclerosing substances and the examination performed at that time; mammography used for detection purposes, unless this service is required by medical prescription in a place designated by the Minister to a recipient 35 years of age or older, provided that the person has not been so examined for one year; thermography, tomodensitometry, magnetic resonance imaging and use of radionuclides in vivo in humans, unless these services are delivered in a hospital centre; ultrasonography, unless this service is delivered in a hospital centre or, for obstetrical purposes, in a local community service centre (CLSC) recognized for that purpose; optical tomography of the eyeball and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy of the optic nerve, unless these services are delivered in a facility maintained by an institution that operates a hospital or are delivered in association with the delivery, by intravitreal injection, of an antiangiogenic drug for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration; any radiological or anaesthetic service provided by a physician if required for the provision of an uninsured service, with the exception of a dental service provided in a hospital centre or, in the case of radiology, if required by a person other than a physician or dentist; any sex-reassignment surgery, unless it is provided on the recommendation of a physician specializing in psychiatry and is provided in a hospital centre recognized for this purpose; and any services that are not related to pathology and that are delivered by a physician to a patient between 18 and 65 years of age, unless that individual is the holder of a claim booklet for colour blindness or a refractive error, in order to provide or renew a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

Registration with the hospital insurance plan is not required. Registration with the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec is sufficient to establish an individual's eligibility. Any individual residing or staying in Quebec as defined in the Health Insurance Act must be registered with the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec to be eligible for hospital services.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

Inmates in federal penitentiaries are not covered by the plan.

Certain categories of residents, notably permanent residents under the Immigration Act and persons returning to live in Canada, become eligible under the plan following a waiting period of up to three months. Persons from another country receiving last-resort financial assistance benefits are eligible upon registration. Canadian Forces personnel and their family members posted to Quebec from another Canadian province or territory who have a status permitting them to settle there are eligible on the date of their arrival. Members of the Canadian Forces who have not acquired Quebec resident status, and inmates of federal penitentiaries become eligible the day they are discharged or released. Immediate coverage is provided for certain seasonal workers, repatriated Canadians, persons from outside Canada who are living in Quebec under an official bursary or internship program of the Ministère de l'Éducation (the Quebec Department of Education), persons from outside Canada who are eligible under an agreement or accord reached with a country or an international organization, and refugees. Persons from outside Canada who have work permits and are living in Quebec for the purpose of holding an office or employment for a period of more than six months become eligible for the plan following a waiting period.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

Persons settling in Quebec after moving from another province of Canada are entitled to coverage under the Quebec Health Insurance Plan when they cease to be entitled to benefits from their province of origin, provided they register with the Régie.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

If living outside Quebec in another province or territory for 183 days or more, and provided they notify the Régie of this, students and full-time unpaid trainees may retain their status as residents of Quebec: students for a maximum of four consecutive calendar years, and full-time unpaid trainees for a maximum of two consecutive calendar years.

This is also the case for persons living in another province or territory who are temporarily employed or working on contract there. Their resident status can be maintained for no more than two consecutive calendar years.

Persons directly employed or working on contract outside Quebec for a company or corporate body with its headquarters or a place of business in Quebec, to which they report directly, or persons employed by the federal government and posted outside Quebec also retain their status as a resident of the province. The same is true of persons who remain outside the province for 183 days or more, but less than 12 months within a calendar year, provided such an absence occurs only once every seven years.

The costs of insured services provided by health professionals in another province or territory of Canada are reimbursed the amount actually paid or the rate that would have been paid by the Régie for such services in Quebec, whichever is less. However, Quebec has negotiated a permanent arrangement with Ontario to pay Ottawa doctors at the Ontario fee rate for specialized services that are not available in the Outaouais region. This agreement came into effect on November 1, 1989. The Régie covers the amount it would have paid for the same services in Quebec, and the Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de l'Outaouais (Outaouais health and social services agency) pays the difference between the cost invoiced by Ontario and the amount initially reimbursed by the Régie. A similar agreement was signed in December 1991 between the Centre de santé de Témiscaming (Temiscaming Health Centre) and the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

Costs of hospital services provided in another province or territory of Canada are paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Hospital Reciprocal Billing Agreement regarding hospital insurance agreed to by the provinces and territories of Canada. These costs are paid either at the established per diem for hospitalization in a standard ward or in intensive care proposed by the host province and approved by all the provinces and territories or, in cases of outpatient services or expensive procedures, at the approved interprovincial rates. Insured persons who leave Quebec to settle in another province or territory of Canada are covered for up to three months after leaving the province.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

Students, unpaid trainees, Quebec government officials posted abroad and employees of non-profit organizations working in international aid or co-operation programs recognized by the Minister of Health and Social Services must contact the Régie to determine their eligibility. If the Régie grants them special status, they receive full reimbursement for hospital costs in case of emergency or sudden illness, and are reimbursed up to 75 percent in other cases.

As of September 1, 1996, hospital services provided outside Quebec in case of emergency or sudden illness for persons employed directly by a company or corporate body with its headquarters or a place of business in Quebec to which they report directly, or for persons employed by the federal government and posted outside Quebec, are reimbursed in full by the Régie, and reimbursed up to 75 percent in other cases.

For residents who receive insured services in a hospital outside Canada, the Régie reimburses the cost of such services in case of emergency or sudden illness to a maximum of C$100 per day if the patient was hospitalized (including in the case of day surgery) or to a maximum of C$50 per day for outpatient services. However, hemodialysis treatments are covered to a maximum of C$220 per treatment, including medications, whether the patient is hospitalized or not. In these cases, the Régie covers the associated professional services at the lowest cost, either the amount actually paid or what would have been paid by the Régie for the same services in Quebec. The services must be delivered in a hospital, or hospital centre, recognized and accredited by the appropriate authorities. No reimbursements are made for nursing homes, spas or similar establishments, or for any services that are experimental in nature.

Costs for insured services provided by physicians, dentists, maxillo-facial surgeons and optometrists are reimbursed at the rate that would have been paid by the Régie to a health professional recognized in Quebec, up to the amount of the expenses actually incurred. When they are delivered abroad, all professional services insured by the Quebec Health Insurance Plan are reimbursed at the Quebec rate, usually in Canadian funds.

An insured person who moves permanently from Quebec to another country ceases to be a recipient on the day of departure.

Residents of Quebec who are working or studying abroad are covered by that country's plan when the stay falls under a social security agreement reached between the Minister of Health and Social Services and the country in question.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

To receive full reimbursement for hospital services elsewhere in Canada or in another country, that are not covered under agreements, a written request signed by two physicians with expertise in the field of pathology of the person on whose behalf the request is made must first be sent to the Régie. The request must describe the specialized services required by the insured person, must attest to the unavailability of said services in Quebec or Canada, and must contain information about the treating physician and the address of the hospital where the services would be provided. Following an evaluation of the request by the Régie, authorization to receive the services is either given or denied. No authorization will be given if the medical service in question is available in Quebec or if it is an experimental service.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

Everyone has the right to receive adequate health care services without any kind of discrimination. There is no extra-billing by Quebec physicians.

On March 31, 2014, Quebec had 141 facilities operating as hospital centres for a clientele suffering from acute, general and specialized or psychiatric illnesses. On that date, 21,462 beds were allotted to these facilities. In these centres, according to the most recent available data, from April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014, Quebec hospital institutions had 784,596 admissions, which accounted for 6,691,464 patient days. In the same period, there were 388,115 registrations for day surgeries.

Since 2003, the Quebec health care system has been based on local services networks covering the entire province. At the core of each of these local networks are the Health and Social Services Centres (CSSS). The centres are the result of the merger of public institutions whose mission was to provide local community service centre (CLSC) services, residential and long-term care services (CHSLD) and, in most cases, neighbourhood hospital services. CSSSs must also provide the people in their territory with access to other medical services, general and specialized hospital services, and social services. To do so, they must enter into service agreements with other health sector organizations. The linking of services within a territory forms the local services network. Thus, the aim of integrated local health and social services networks is to make all the stakeholders in a given territory collectively responsible for the health and well-being of the people in that territory.

Family medicine groups (FMGs) were established in 2003-2004. A FMG is a group of doctors working as a team and in close collaboration with nurses and other CSSS professionals from CSSSs to provide services ranging from disease prevention, health assessment and patient monitoring, as well as diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic problems. Their services include medical consultations with and without an appointment, seven days a week, and an adapted response to people whose health status requires special arrangements for access to services. As of March 31, 2015, there were 262 accredited FMGs and 53 network-clinics in Quebec. Forty-five of the network-clinics are also FMGs.

5.2 Physician Compensation

Physicians are remunerated in accordance with the negotiated fee schedule. The Minister may enter into an agreement with the organizations representing any class of health professional. This agreement may prescribe a different rate of compensation for medical services in a territory where the number of professionals is considered insufficient.

While the majority of physicians practise within the provincial plan, Quebec allows two other options: professionals who withdraw from the plan and practise outside the plan, but agree to be remunerated according to the provincial fee schedule; and non-participating professionals who practise outside the plan, with no reimbursement from the Régie going to either them or their patients.

According to the most recent data available, in 2014-2015, the Régie paid an estimated $6.8 billion for professional services provided to Quebec residents. Professional services (including reimbursements to insured persons and payments to professionals) received outside Quebec were estimated at $41.4 million.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

The Minister of Health and Social Services funds hospitals through payments directly related to the cost of the insured services provided.

The payments made in 2014-2015 to institutions operating as hospital centres for insured health services provided to residents of Quebec totaled nearly $11.6 billion. Payments to hospital centres in other provinces or outside Canada for hospital services totaled approximately $217.97 million.

Ontario

Introduction

Ontario has one of the largest and most complex publicly-funded health care systems in the world. Administered by the province's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), Ontario's health care system was supported by over $50.0 billion (including capital) in spending for 2014-2015.

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

Ontario Health Care and Health Care Planning

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) is administered on a non-profit basis by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). OHIP was established in 1972 and is continued under the Health Insurance Act, Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1990, c. H-6, to provide insurance in respect of the cost of insured services provided to Ontario residents (as defined in the Health Insurance Act) in hospitals and health facilities, and by physicians and other health care practitioners.

The MOHLTC provides services to the public through programs such as health insurance, drug benefits, assistive devices, forensic mental health and supportive housing, long-term care, home care, community and public health, and health promotion and disease prevention. It also regulates hospitals and nursing homes, operates medical laboratories, and coordinates emergency health services.

Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) were established under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 (LHSIA) to help improve Ontarians' health through better access to high-quality health services, coordinated health care, and effective and efficient management of the health system at the local level. Since April 1, 2007, the LHINs have had responsibility for funding, planning and integrating health care services at the local level. This includes services delivered by hospitals, community care access centres, long-term care homes, community health centres, community support services, and mental health and addictions agencies.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

The Health Insurance Act stipulates that the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care is responsible for the administration and operation of OHIP, and is Ontario's public authority for the purposes of the Canada Health Act.

The Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 (LHSIA) requires each LHIN to prepare an annual report on its affairs and operations for the previous fiscal year. The Government of Ontario's Agency Establishment and Accountability Directive requires that every Ontario operational service agency (including LHINs) prepare an annual report. The Minister is required to table the reports in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

MOHLTC has a performance agreement with each LHIN that includes obligations, measures and targets for the networks. The agreements also include the funding allocations by sector, for example, long-term care homes and hospitals. LHSIA provides the LHINs with the authority to fund defined health service providers and to enter into service accountability agreements with health service providers.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

Every year the Auditor General of Ontario reports on the results of his examination of government resources and administration. The Auditor General's report is tabled by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, usually in the fall, at which time it becomes available to the public. Audit reports on select areas of the MOHLTC chosen for review by the Auditor General are included within this annual report, the last of which was released on December 9, 2014.

MOHLTC's accounts and transactions are published annually in the Public Accounts of Ontario. The 2014-2015 Public Accounts of Ontario were tabled and released on September 28, 2015.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

Insured in-patient and out-patient hospital services in Ontario are prescribed under the Health Insurance Act, and Regulation 552 under the Act.

Insured in-patient hospital services include medically required: use of operating rooms, obstetrical delivery rooms and anaesthetic facilities; necessary nursing services; laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures together with the necessary interpretations for the purpose of maintaining health, preventing disease and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of any injury, illness or disability; drugs, biologicals and related preparations; and accommodation and meals at the standard ward level.

Insured out-patient services include medically required: laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures; use of radiotherapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy facilities, where available; use of diet counselling services; use of the operating room and anaesthetic facilities; surgical supplies; necessary nursing service; supply of drugs, biologicals, and related preparations (subject to some exceptions); certain other specified services such as the provision of equipment, radiotherapy and occupational medication to haemophiliac patients for use at home; and certain specified home-administered drugs.

Hospital services are not specifically listed in Regulation 552 in the Health Insurance Act, rather, the Regulation lists broad categories of services. This permits the Regulation to cover new medical and technological advances as they become accepted standards of practice.

Adding a new broad category of hospital services to the list of insured services covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) requires a regulatory change. Regulatory changes are approved by Cabinet and generally there is a public consultation process by way of Ontario's Regulatory Registry.

No regulation changes to add hospital services were completed in fiscal year 2014-2015.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

Insured physician services are prescribed under the Health Insurance Act and regulations under the Act.

Under Regulation 552 to the Health Insurance Act, a service provided by a physician in Ontario is an insured service if it is medically necessary; referred to in the Schedule of Benefits - Physician Services; and rendered in such circumstances or under such conditions as specified in the Schedule of Benefits - Physician Services. Physicians provide medical, surgical and diagnostic services, including primary health care services. Services are provided in a variety of settings, including: private physician offices, community health centres, hospitals, mental health facilities, licensed independent health facilities, and long-term care homes.

In general terms, insured physician services include: diagnosis and treatment of medical disabilities and conditions; medical examinations and tests; surgical procedures; maternity care; anaesthesia; radiology and laboratory services in approved facilities; and immunizations, injections and tests.

Physicians must be registered to practice medicine in Ontario by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and be located in Ontario when rendering the service.

During 2014-2015, most physicians submitted claims for all insured services rendered to insured persons directly to OHIP, and a limited number billed the insured person. Physicians who do not bill OHIP directly are commonly referred to as having opted out of the Plan. When a physician has opted out of the Plan the physician bills the patient not exceeding the amount payable for the service under the Schedule of Benefits (this was permitted on a grandparented basis following proclamation of the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act in 2004). The patient then recoups that amount from the Plan.

There were approximately 29,380 physicians who submitted claims to OHIP in 2014-2015. This figure includes physicians submitting both fee-for-service claims and physicians included in an alternative payment plan who submitted tracking or shadow-billed claims. In 2014-2015, there were 24 opted-out physicians in Ontario.

The Schedule of Benefits - Physician Services is regularly reviewed and revised to reflect current medical practice and new technologies. New services may be added, existing services revised, or obsolete services removed through regulatory amendment. This process involves consultation with the Ontario Medical Association.

In 2014-2015, in order to achieve savings, there were changes made to the Schedule of Benefits - Physician Services. These changes were effective February 1, 2015.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

In accordance with the Canada Health Act, certain surgical-dental services are prescribed as insured services under Regulation 552 in the Health Insurance Act and listed in the Schedule of Benefits - Dental Services. The Health Insurance Act authorizes OHIP to pay for a limited number of procedures when the procedure is medically necessary, and it is medically necessary that the insured services be performed in a public hospital graded under the Public Hospitals Act as Group A, B, C or D, by a dental surgeon who has been appointed to the dental staff of the public hospital.

Generally, insured dental services include: oral and maxillo-facial surgery that normally would be required to be performed in a hospital; root resection and apical curettage procedures when performed in association with other insured dental procedures; and dental extractions when performed in a hospital for the safety of high risk patients and if prior approval is obtained from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC).

With respect to insured surgical-dental services, MOHLTC negotiates changes to the Schedule of Benefits - Dental Services with the Ontario Dental Association. The MOHLTC and the Ontario Dental Association agreed on a multi-year funding agreement for dental services, which became effective on April 1, 2002. The existing Schedule of Benefits - Dental Services remains in effect and no new services were added to the Schedule during the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Uninsured hospital services include but are not limited to: private or semi-private accommodation unless prescribed by a physician, oral-maxillofacial surgeon or midwife; telephones and televisions; charges for certain private-duty nursing; and provision of medications for patients to take home from hospital, with prescribed exceptions.

Section 24 of Regulation 552 details some specified physician and supporting services that are not insured services.

Uninsured physician services include: services that are not medically necessary; services not listed in the Schedule of Benefits - Physician Services; and services that are excluded from insured services under Section 24 of Regulation 552.

Dental services provided in dentists' offices are not insured and payment is the responsibility of the individual patient. Dental services not specifically listed in the Dental Schedule are also not insured including such services as dental implants, prosthetic restorations (fixed bridges and dentures) for the replacement of teeth, orthodontic treatment, fillings and crowns.

Complaints regarding charges for services, such as block fees or enhanced medical goods or services, are investigated under the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act (CFMA) Program. Investigations are opened to determine whether any patient was charged for an insured service; this would include whether a block fee included charges for insured service, or if a charge for an enhanced service was in fact for an uninsured service. If it is found that a patient was charged for an insured service, the MOHLTC ensures that patients are reimbursed and providers are educated on the prohibitions in the CFMA.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

Section 11 of the Health Insurance Act specifies that every person who is a resident of Ontario is entitled to become an insured person under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) upon application. In order to be considered an Ontario resident, Regulation 552 under the Health Insurance Act, with a few exceptions that are noted in the Regulation, requires that a person must:

• hold Canadian citizenship or an immigration status as prescribed in Regulation 552;
• make his or her primary place of residence in Ontario;
• subject to some limited exceptions, be physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period; and
• for most new and returning residents, be physically present in Ontario for 153 of the first 183 days following the date residence is established in Ontario, for example, a person cannot be away from the province for more than 30 days in the first six months of residency.

Individuals who are not eligible for OHIP coverage are those who do not meet the definition of a resident, such as tourists, transients, visitors to the province and those who do not hold immigration or other similar status. Services that a person is entitled to receive under federal legislation are not insured services, for example those provided to federal penitentiary inmates and Canadian Forces members. Services that a person is entitled to receive under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act are not insured services in Ontario.

When it is determined that a person is not eligible, or is no longer eligible, for OHIP coverage, a request may be made to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to review the decision. Anyone may request that the MOHLTC review the denial of their OHIP eligibility by making a request in writing to the OHIP Eligibility Review Committee. Those who are not satisfied with the decision regarding their OHIP eligibility may request an appeal of their case by the Health Services Appeal and Review Board.

MOHLTC is the sole payer for OHIP insured physician, hospital and hospital surgical-dental services. An eligible Ontario resident may not obtain any benefits from another insurance plan for the cost of any insured service that is covered by OHIP (with the exception of during the OHIP waiting period).

Persons who were previously ineligible for OHIP coverage but whose status and/or residency situation has changed may be eligible upon application, subject to the requirements of Regulation 552.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

MOHLTC provides health insurance coverage to a limited number of specified categories of residents of Ontario, other than Canadian citizens and permanent residents or landed immigrants.

These residents are required to provide acceptable documentation to support their residence in Ontario and their identity in the same manner as Canadian citizens and permanent resident or landed immigrant applicants.

The individuals listed below who are residents in Ontario may be eligible for OHIP coverage in accordance with Regulation 552 of the Health Insurance Act. Individuals are required to apply in person to ServiceOntario, which has the government-wide mandate for the delivery of front-facing services to the residents of Ontario, including the issuance of the Ontario Photo Health Card.

Applicants for Permanent Residence: These are persons who have submitted an application for Permanent Resident status to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and CIC has confirmed that the person meets the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada and that the application has not yet been denied.

Protected Persons: These are persons who are determined to be Protected Persons under the terms of the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Members of this group are provided with immediate OHIP coverage.

Holders of Temporary Resident Permits: A Temporary Resident Permit is issued to an individual by CIC when there are compelling reasons to admit an individual into Canada who would otherwise be inadmissible under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Each Temporary Resident Permit has a case type or numerical designation on the permit that indicates the circumstances allowing the individual entry into Canada. Individuals who hold a permit with a case type of 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 or 80 (if for adoption) are eligible for OHIP coverage. Individuals who hold a permit with a case type of 80 (except for adoption), 81, 84, 85 and 96 are not eligible for OHIP coverage.

Clergy, Foreign Workers and their Accompanying Family Members: An eligible foreign clergy is a person who is sponsored by a religious organization or denomination if the member has finalized an agreement to minister to a religious congregation or group in Ontario for at least six months, as long as the member is legally entitled to stay in Canada.

A foreign worker is eligible for OHIP if the individual has been issued a Work Permit or other document by CIC that permits the person to work in Canada, and if the person also has a formal agreement in place to work full-time for an employer in Ontario. The work permit or other document issued by CIC, or a letter provided by the employer, must set out the employer's name, state the person's occupation with the employer, and state that the person will be working for the employer for no less than six consecutive months.

A spouse and/or dependent (under 22 years of age; or 22 years of age or older if dependent due to a mental or physical disability) of an eligible foreign member of the clergy or an eligible foreign worker is also eligible for OHIP coverage as long as the spouse or dependent is legally entitled to stay in Canada.

Live-in Caregivers: Eligible live-in caregivers are persons who hold a valid Work Permit under the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) administered by the Government of Canada. The Work Permit for LCP workers does not have to list the three specific employment conditions required for all other foreign workers.

Applicants for Canadian Citizenship: These individuals are eligible for OHIP coverage if they have submitted an application for Canadian citizenship under section 5.1 of the federal Citizenship Act, even if the application has not yet been approved, provided that CIC has confirmed that the person meets the eligibility requirements to apply for citizenship under that section and the application has not yet been denied.

Children Born Out-of-Country: A child born to an OHIP-eligible woman who was transferred from Ontario to receive insured health services that were pre-approved for payment by OHIP is eligible for immediate OHIP coverage provided that the mother was pregnant at the time of departure from Ontario.

Seasonal Agricultural Farm Workers are persons who have a Work Permit issued under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program administered by the Government of Canada. Due to the special nature of their employment, migrant farm workers do not have to meet any other residency requirement and are provided with immediate OHIP coverage.

3.3 Premiums

No premiums are required to obtain OHIP coverage. There is an Ontario Health Premium that is collected through the provincial income tax system but it is not connected to OHIP registration or eligibility in any way. Responsibility for the administration of the Ontario Health Premium lies with the Ontario Ministry of Finance.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

In accordance with section 5 of Regulation 552 under the Health Insurance Act, individuals who move to Ontario are typically entitled to Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage three months after establishing residency in the province unless listed as an exception in sections 6, 6.1, 6.2, or 6.3 of Regulation 552, or sub section 11(2.1) of the Health Insurance Act.

Assessment of whether or not an individual is subject to the waiting period occurs at the time of their application for OHIP coverage. Examples of those who are exempt from the three month waiting period include newborn babies, eligible military family members, and insured residents from another province or territory who move to Ontario and immediately become residents of an approved long-term care home in Ontario.

In accordance with Regulation 552 under the Health Insurance Act and as provided for in the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability, persons who permanently move to Ontario from another Canadian province or territory where they are insured will typically be eligible for OHIP coverage after the last day of the second full month following the date residency is established, in other words, an interprovincial waiting period.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

Insured out-of-province services are prescribed under sections 28, 28.0.1, and 29 of Regulation 552 of the Health Insurance Act.

Ontario adheres to the terms of the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability; therefore, insured residents who are temporarily outside of Ontario can use their Ontario health cards to obtain insured physician (except in Quebec) and hospital services.

An insured person who leaves Ontario temporarily to travel within Canada, without establishing residency in another province or territory, may continue to be covered by OHIP for a period of up to 12 months.

An insured person who temporarily seeks or accepts employment in another province or territory may continue to be covered by OHIP for a period of up to 12 months. If the individual plans to remain outside Ontario beyond the 12 month maximum, he or she should apply for coverage in the province or territory where that person has been working or seeking work.

Insured students who are temporarily absent from Ontario, but remain within Canada, may be eligible for continuous health insurance coverage for the duration of their full-time studies, provided they do not establish permanent residency elsewhere during this period. To ensure that they maintain continuous OHIP eligibility, a student should provide the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) with documentation or information from their educational institution confirming registration as a full-time student. Insured family members (spouses and dependents) of students who are studying in another province or territory are also eligible for continuous OHIP eligibility while accompanying students for the duration of their studies.

In accordance with Regulation 552 of the Health Insurance Act, most insured residents who want to travel, work or study outside Ontario, but within Canada, and maintain OHIP coverage, must have resided in Ontario for at least 153 days in the last 12-month period immediately prior to departure from Ontario.

Ontario participates in Reciprocal Hospital Billing Agreements with all other provinces and territories for insured in-patient and out-patient hospital services. Rates are set and approved annually by the Interprovincial Health Insurance Agreements Coordinating Committee. Payment for in-patient services is at the hospital's approved in-patient per diem rate. Payment for out-patient services is at the standard approved out-patient rate.

Ontario pays the standard out-patient charges set out by the Interprovincial Health Insurance Agreements Coordinating Committee. Ontario is also party to the Physicians' Reciprocal Billing Agreements with all other provinces and territories, except Quebec (which has not signed a reciprocal physician agreement with any other province or territory). Ontario residents who may be required to pay for insured physician services in another province or territory can submit their receipts to MOHLTC for payment at Ontario rates.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

Residents may be temporarily outside of Canada for a total of 212 days in any 12 month period and still maintain OHIP coverage as long as their primary place of residence remains Ontario.

Extended Absences:

Health insurance coverage for insured Ontario residents during extended absences (longer than 212 days) outside Canada is governed by Regulation 552 of the Health Insurance Act.

The MOHLTC requests that residents apply to MOHLTC to confirm this coverage before their departure and provide documents explaining the reason for their absence.

In accordance with regulations and MOHLTC policy, most applicants must also have been residents in Ontario for at least 153 days in each of the two consecutive 12 month periods before their expected date of departure.

The length of time that a person can receive continuous Ontario health insurance coverage during an extended absence outside Canada varies depending on the reason for the absence as follows:

Certain family members may also qualify for continuous OHIP coverage while accompanying the primary applicant on an extended absence outside Canada.

Out-of-Country Coverage for Ontario Residents who are Temporarily Absent

Payment of out-of-country services for Ontarians who are temporarily absent from Canada, such as for travelling, are captured under Regulation 552 of the Health Insurance Act.

Out-of-country costs are for hospital and health facility services required to treat a condition that is acute and unexpected, arose outside of Canada, and requires immediate treatment. They are reimbursed at rates set out in Regulation 552 under the Health Insurance Act:

• a maximum $400 (CAD) for in-patient services for a higher level of care as described in the Regulations and $200 (CAD) for any other level of care;
• a maximum $50 (CAD) for out-patient services (except dialysis); and
• a maximum of $210 (CAD) for renal dialysis.

During 2014-2015, out-of-country emergency, medically necessary, out-of-country physician services were reimbursed at the Ontario rates set out in Regulation 552 under the Health Insurance Act or the amount billed, whichever was less.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

As set out in Regulation 552 under the Health Insurance Act, written prior approval from MOHLTC is required for payment for non-emergency health services provided outside of Canada prior to the medical services being rendered.

The prior approval application which includes written confirmation from the referring Ontario physician must establish that the services or tests are:

• medically necessary;
• performed at an out-of-country licensed hospital or health facility (as defined in the Regulations);
• not experimental or for the purposes of research or a survey;
• generally accepted by the medical profession in Ontario as appropriate for a person in the same medical circumstances as the insured person; and either
  • not performed in Ontario by an identical or equivalent procedure or
  • performed in Ontario but the insured person must travel outside of Canada to avoid delay that would result in death or medically significant irreversible tissue damage.

Except in an emergency, written prior approval of payment must be granted by the General Manager before any of the health services are rendered.

Requests for prior approval of funding require the endorsement of a physician who is a specialist in the type of services for which prior approval has been requested. This requirement does not apply to emergency services and services that are within a general practitioner's scope of practice.

There are also other specified requirements in section 28.4 of Regulation 552 depending on the nature of the service for which funding is requested.

Funding requirements for non-emergency laboratory tests performed outside Canada are described in section 28.5 of Regulation 552 of the Health Insurance Act.

During 2014-2015 there was no formal prior approval required for services provided to eligible Ontario residents outside the province, but within Canada, if the insured service is covered under the Reciprocal Hospital Billing Agreements.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

All insured hospital, physician and surgical-dental services are available to Ontario residents on uniform terms and conditions.

All insured persons are entitled to all insured physician, surgical-dental and hospital services, as defined in the Health Insurance Act and regulations.

Access to insured services is protected under Part II of the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act (CFMA), "Health Services Accessibility." The CFMA prohibits any person or any entity from charging or accepting payment or other benefit for an insured service rendered to an insured person except as permitted in the CFMA. In addition, the CFMA prohibits physicians, practitioners and hospitals from refusing to provide an insured service if an insured person chooses not to pay a "block fee" for an uninsured service. The CFMA further prohibits any person or entity from paying, conferring, charging, or accepting a payment or other benefit in exchange for preferred access for an insured person to an insured service.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) investigates all possible contraventions of Part II of the CFMA that come to its attention. For situations in which it is found that a patient has been extra-billed, the MOHLTC ensures that the amount is repaid to that patient.

Health Card Validation (HCV) assists health care providers with access to information requested for claims payment. HCV allows the provider to determine the point-in-time status of a patient's Ontario health number (and version code) indicating eligibility or ineligibility for provincially funded health care services, thereby reducing claim rejects. A health care provider may subscribe for validation services if they have a valid and active billing number as assigned by the MOHLTC. If patients require access to insured services and do not have a valid health card in their possession, upon obtaining patient consent, the provider may obtain the necessary information by utilizing the accelerated health number release service provided by ServiceOntario's Health Number Look Up service which is offered 24 hours a day, 365 days per year to physicians or hospitals registered for this service.

Acute care priority services are designated, highly specialized, hospital-based services that deal with life-threatening conditions such as organ transplants, cancer surgery and treatments, and neuroservices. These services are often high-cost and are rapidly growing, which has made access a concern. Generally, these services are managed provincially, on a time-limited basis.

Acute care priority services include:

• selected cardiovascular services;
• selected cancer services;
• chronic kidney disease services;
• critical care services; and
• organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Primary Health Care: During 2014-2015, consistent with the government direction outlined in Patients First: Action Plan for Healthcare 2015, Ontario continued to align its new and existing primary health care delivery models to help improve and expand access to primary health care physician services for all Ontarians. The various primary health care physician compensation models encourage access to comprehensive primary health care services for Ontario as a whole, as well as for targeted population groups and remote under-serviced communities.

Health Care Connect (HCC): HCC helps Ontarians who are without a primary health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) to find one. Insured persons without a primary health care provider who register with HCC may be referred to a family doctor or a nurse practitioner if there is an available provider who is accepting new patients in their community.

During 2014-2015, MOHLTC continued to administer various initiatives in order to improve access to health care services across the province. Ontario has taken steps to stabilize physician supply through evidence-informed planning, and has enhanced the retention and distribution of physicians in the province by taking such measures as:

• stabilizing the significant expansion in medical education since 2003;
• supporting rural and remote clinical education opportunities for medical students;
• supporting the Northern Ontario School of Medicine;
• supporting training and assessment programs for International Medical Graduates and other qualified physicians who do not meet certain requirements for practice in Ontario; and
• supporting the HealthForceOntario Marketing and Recruitment Agency to help recruit and retain health care professionals in Ontario communities that need them.

There are a number of existing initiatives to improve access across Ontario, including but not limited to the HealthForceOntario Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI), the Northern Physician Retention Initiative (NPRI), and the Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG) Program.

• Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI): The NRRRI supports the recruitment and retention of physicians in rural and northern communities. The NRRRI provides financial recruitment incentives to physicians who establish a full-time practice in an eligible community. Community eligibility for the NRRRI is based on a Rurality Index for Ontario score of 40 or more. Also eligible are the five Northern Ontario Census Urban Referral Centre census metropolitan areas (Thunder Bay, Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins).
• Northern Physician Retention Initiative (NPRI): The NPRI provides physicians who have completed a minimum of four years of continuous full-time practice in Northern Ontario with a $7,000 retention incentive paid at the end of each fiscal year in which they continue to practice full-time in Northern Ontario. NPRI supports retention of physicians in Northern Ontario and encourages them to maintain active hospital privileges. Northern Ontario is defined as the districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Muskoka, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timiskaming.
• Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG) Program: The NHTG Program helps defray travel-related costs for residents of Northern Ontario who must travel long distances to access insured medical specialist services, or designated health care facility-based procedures that are not locally available, within a radius of 100km. The NHTG Program also promotes using specialist services located in Northern Ontario, which encourages more specialists to practice and remain in the north.

5.2 Physician Compensation

Physicians are paid for the services they provide through a number of mechanisms. Some physician payments are provided through fee-for-service arrangements. Remuneration is based on the Schedule of Benefits under the Health Insurance Act. Other physician payment models include Primary Health Care Models (such as blended capitation models), Alternate Payment Plans, and new funding arrangements for physicians in Academic Health Science Centres.

In 2014-2015, 97 percent of General Practitioners received fee-for-service payments from OHIP, but fewer than 30 percent of them were paid solely on a fee-for-service basis. The majority (70 percent) of primary care physicians in Ontario received funding through one of the primary health models: Comprehensive Care (CCM), Family Health Group (FHG), Family Health Network (FHN), Family Health Organization (FHO), Community Health Centres (CHC), Rural and Northern Physician Group Agreement (RNPGA), Group Health Centre (GHC), Blended Salary Model (BSM), and specialized agreements.

Family Health Teams (FHTs) are independent, non-profit organizations that provide interdisciplinary team-based primary health care; they are staffed by providers such as nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers and dieticians. Physician groups that can affiliate with and participate in FHTS are funded by one of three compensation options: Blended Capitation (such as FHN or FHO), Complement Based Models (RNPGA or other specialized agreements) and BSM (for community sponsored FHTs). FHTs are located across Ontario, in both urban and rural settings, ranging in size, structure, scope and governance.

MOHLTC negotiates many elements of physician compensation with the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). The last Physician Services Agreement (PSA) expired on March 31, 2014 and the MOHLTC and the OMA commenced negotiations for a new PSA in January 2014. The MOHLTC and the OMA negotiated from January 2014 to January 2015, but they were unsuccessful in reaching a PSA. In the absence of a new PSA, the MOHLTC implemented a set of initiatives (Ten-Point Plan for Saving and Improving Service) to change the funding for certain physician services and programs. The MOHLTC continues to work with the OMA in hopes that a new PSA can be agreed upon.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

Ontario hospitals are funded through a mix of base funding, which is on-going funding, and one-time funding. The majority of funding provided to hospitals is through base funding, which is comprised of several buckets of funding, including:

• Health System Funding Reform (HSFR);
• Global;
• Post-Construction Operating Plan (PCOP);
• Wait Times; and
• Priority Programs

On April 1, 2012, Ontario began the implementation of the Health System Funding Reform (HSFR) Strategy for funding hospitals. HSFR shifts health care funding from a predominantly global budget system towards an activity-based funding model which ensures that patients get the right care, at the right place, at the right time and at the right price. HSFR offers an integrated approach to health system funding and puts the patient at the core through adopting a 'money follows the patient' principle. HSFR is a significant shift from the way Ontario hospitals were traditionally funded, which was largely based on historically-derived global budgets which were established in 1969.

HSFR is comprised of two key components: Health Based Allocation Model (HBAM) and Quality-Based Procedures (QBP) funding, which together will comprise 50 percent of hospital's total funding in 2015-2016 (38 percent HBAM; 12 percent QBP).

Health-Based Allocation Model: Is an evidence-based, health-based funding formula. HBAM enables the government to equitably allocate available funding at the organizational level to health service providers. HBAM uses an algorithm to identify a health service provider's future expense levels. A set funding pot is then divided amongst providers based on this future expense calculation and available funding. A health system provider's future expense is determined based on past patient services delivered and efficiency, as well as population and health information, such as: age, gender, population growth rates, diagnosis and procedures. Each of the hospitals funded under HBAM receive a share of a fixed pot of funding.

Quality-Based Procedures: QBPs are an integral part of HSFR as they align funding with quality improvement. They target clusters of patients with clinically related diagnoses or treatments that have been identified by an evidence-based framework as providing opportunity for process improvements, clinical redesign improved patient outcomes, enhanced patient experience and potential cost savings. QBPs allow the health system to achieve better quality and system efficiencies through utilizing a 'price × volume × quality' approach. The price for each patient group is currently based on the average price of providing care, adjusted for patient acuity.

Global budgets (non-HSFR) will continue to be used for activities that cannot be modeled, including those are that are unique (such as forensic mental health), or where HSFR would introduce significant funding instability (such as small hospitals).

Additional buckets of funding are hospital-specific. The Post-Construction Operating Plan (PCOP) Program provides operational funding to support the service and facility expansions associated with approved capital projects. Ontario's Wait Time Strategy provides targeted funding to improve access to key health services by reducing wait times. Provincial Program funding supports programs such as certain specialized cardiac services, that are managed at a provincial rather than regional level.

Hospital Service Accountability Agreements (H-SAA): When the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) assumed responsibility for their local health care systems they negotiated two year H-SAAs with their respective hospitals and became the lead for the Hospital Annual Planning Submissions, which are the precursors to the H-SAAs. The LHINs have amended the 2008/09-2009/10 H-SAA each year from 2010/11 to 2014/15 versus negotiating a new two year agreement. These are referred to as Amending Agreements.

Public hospitals submit planning submissions to the LHINs that are the result of broad consultations within the organizations (all levels of staff, unions, physicians and board), the community and region. Some of the data submitted in the planning submissions are used to populate schedules for service volumes and performance targets that form the contractual basis for the H-SAA.

The H-SAA outlines the terms and conditions of the services provided by the hospital, the funding it will receive, along with the performance and service levels expected. There are various performance indicators that are monitored, managed and evaluated in the agreement.

6.0 Recognition Given to Federal Transfers

The Government of Ontario publicly acknowledged the federal contributions provided through the Canada Health Transfer in its Public Accounts of Ontario 2014-2015.

Manitoba

Introduction

Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors (MHHLS) provides leadership and support to protect, promote and preserve the health of all Manitobans. MHHLS continues efforts to improve access, service delivery, capacity, innovation, sustainability and improve the health status of Manitobans while reducing health disparities. The roles and responsibilities of the department include policy, program and standards development; fiscal and program accountability; and evaluation. In addition, specific direct services continue to be provided through Selkirk Mental Health Centre, Cadham Provincial Laboratory, public health inspections, and provincial nursing stations.

MHHLS remains committed to the principles of Medicare and improving the health status of all Manitobans. In 2014-2015 Manitoba continued to support these commitments through the following activities:

• Negotiated agreements with Doctors Manitoba, Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU), and other health professional associations. The Doctors Manitoba and MNU agreements include provisions for collaboration on health system improvements and efficiencies.
• Increased the overall number of specialist physicians, general practitioners, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, registered psychiatric nurses, and licensed practical nurses.
• Partnered with Manitoba Blue Cross to launch a modernized medical claims processing system.
• Expanded, streamlined and increased efficiencies of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Repository, with over 130 (and growing) primary care clinics regularly submitting EMR data.
• Continued to collaborate with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and CancerCare Manitoba on the implementation of the cancer treatment access strategy entitled, "Transforming the Cancer Patient Journey in Manitoba," which aims to reduce the time from suspicion to treatment to two months or less.
• Improved access and quality of primary health care, including development of Quick Care clinics, primary care mobile clinics, the Advanced Access program, My Health Teams and further enhancements to the Family Doctor Finder program.
• Released "Advancing Continuing Care - A Blueprint to Support System Change," which outlines priority actions in continuing care to meet the needs of individuals and families.

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

The Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan (MHSIP) is administered by Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors (MHHLS) under the Health Services Insurance Act, R.S.M. 1987, c. H35.

The MHSIP is administered under this Act and insures the costs of hospital, personal care, and medical and other health services referred to in acts of the Legislature or related regulations.

The Minister of Health is responsible for administering and operating the MHSIP. The Minister may also enter into contracts and agreements with any person or group that he or she considers necessary for the purposes of the Act.

The Minister may also make grants to any person or group for the purposes of the Act on such terms and conditions that are considered advisable. Also, the Minister may, in writing, delegate to any person any power, authority, duty or function conferred or imposed upon the Minister under the Act or under the regulations.

There were no legislative amendments to the Act or the regulations in the 2014-2015 fiscal year that affected the public administration of the MHSIP.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

Section 6 of the Health Services Insurance Act requires the Minister to have audited financial statements of the MHSIP showing separately the expenditures for hospital services, medical services and other health services. The Minister is required to prepare an annual report, which must include the audited financial statements, and to table the report before the Legislative Assembly within 15 days of receiving it, if the Assembly is in session. If the Assembly is not in session, the report must be tabled within 15 days of the beginning of the next session.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

Section 7 of the Health Services Insurance Act requires that the Office of the Auditor General of Manitoba (or another auditor designated by the Office of the Auditor General of Manitoba) audit the accounts of the MHSIP annually and prepare a report on that audit for the Minister. The most recent audit reported to the Minister and available to the public is for the 2014-2015 fiscal year and is contained in the Manitoba Health Annual Report, 2014-2015.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

Sections 46 and 47 of the Health Services Insurance Act, as well as the Hospital Services Insurance and Administration Regulation (M.R. 48/93), provide for insured hospital services.

As of March 31, 2015, there were 96 facilities providing insured hospital services to both in-patients and out-patients. Hospitals are designated by the Hospitals Designation Regulation (M.R. 47/93) under the Act.

Services specified by the Regulation as insured in-patient and out-patient hospital services include: accommodation and meals at the standard ward level; necessary nursing services; laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures; drugs, biologics and related preparations; routine medical and surgical supplies; use of operating room, case room and anaesthetic facilities; and use of radiotherapy, physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy facilities where available.

The Regulation states that hospital in-patient services include routine medical and surgical supplies, thereby ensuring reasonable access for all residents. The regional health authorities and Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors (MHHLS) monitor compliance.

Manitoba residents maintain high expectations for quality health care and insist that the best available medical knowledge and service be applied to their personal health situations.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

The enabling legislation that provides for insured physician services is the Medical Services Insurance Regulation (M.R. 49/93) made under the Health Services Insurance Act.

Physicians providing insured services in Manitoba must be lawfully entitled to practice medicine in Manitoba, and be registered and licensed under the Medical Act.

The number of medical practitioners registered with MHHLS to provide insured services as of March 31, 2015 was 2,510.

A physician, by giving notice to the Minister in writing, may elect to collect the fees other than from the Minister for medical services rendered to insured persons, in accordance with section 91 of the Act and section 5 of the Medical Services Insurance Regulation. The election to opt out of the health insurance plan takes effect on the first day of the month following a 90-day period from the date the Minister receives the notice.

Before rendering a medical service to an insured person, physicians must give the patient reasonable notice that they propose to collect any fee for the medical service from them or any other person except the Minister. The physician is responsible for submitting a claim to the Minister on the patient's behalf and cannot collect fees in excess of the benefits payable for the service under the Act or Regulations.

No physicians opted out of the medical plan in 2014-2015.

The range of physician services insured by MHHLS is listed in the Payment for Insured Medical Services Regulation (M.R. 95/96). Coverage is provided for all medically required personal health care services that are not excluded under the Excluded Services Regulation (M.R. 46/93) of the Act, rendered to an insured person by a physician.

During fiscal year 2014-2015, a number of new insured services were added to a revised fee schedule. The Physician's Manual, including all insured medical services, can be viewed on-line at: Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors - Physician's Manual.

The process for a medical service to be added to the list of those covered by MHHLS is that physicians must put forward a proposal to their specific section of Doctors Manitoba. Doctors Manitoba will negotiate the item, including the fee, with MHHLS. MHHLS may also initiate this process.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

Insured surgical and dental services are listed in the Hospital Services Insurance and Administration Regulation (M.R. 48/93) under the Health Services Insurance Act. Surgical services are insured when performed by a certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon or a licensed dentist in a hospital, when hospitalization is required for the proper performance of the procedure. This Regulation also provides benefits relating to the cost of insured orthodontic services in cases of cleft lip and/or palate for persons registered under the program by their 18th birthday, when provided by a registered orthodontist.

Providers of dental services may elect to collect their fees directly from the patient in the same manner as physicians and may not charge to, or collect from, an insured person a fee in excess of the benefits payable under the Act or regulations. No providers of dental services had opted out in 2014-2015.

In order for a dental service to be added to the list of insured services, a dentist must put forward a proposal to the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA). The MDA negotiates the item and fee with MHHLS.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

The Excluded Services Regulation (M.R. 46/93) made under the Health Services Insurance Act sets out those services that are not insured. These include: examinations and reports for reasons of employment, insurance, attendance at university or camp, or performed at the request of third parties; group immunization or other group services except where authorized by MHHLS; services provided by a physician, dentist, chiropractor or optometrist to him or herself or any dependents; preparation of records, reports, certificates, communications and testimony in court; mileage or travelling time; services provided by psychologists, chiropodists and other practitioners not provided for in the legislation; in vitro fertilization; tattoo removal; contact lens fitting; reversal of sterilization procedures; and psychoanalysis.

All Manitoba residents have equitable access to services. Third parties such as private insurers or the Workers Compensation Board do not receive priority access to services through additional payment. Manitoba has no formalized process to monitor compliance; however, feedback from physicians, hospital administrators, medical professionals and staff allows regional health authorities and MHHLS to monitor usage and service concerns.

To de-insure services covered by MHHLS, the Ministry prepares a submission for approval by Cabinet. The need for public consultation is determined on an individual basis depending on the subject.

No services were removed from the list of those insured by MHHLS in 2014-2015.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

The Health Services Insurance Act defines the eligibility of Manitoba residents for coverage under the provincial health care insurance plan.

Section 2(1) of the Act states that a resident is a person who is legally entitled to be in Canada, makes his or her home in Manitoba, is physically present in Manitoba for at least six months in a calendar year, and includes any other person classified as a resident in the regulations, but does not include a person who holds a temporary resident permit under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), unless the Minister determines otherwise, or is a visitor, transient or tourist.

The Residency and Registration Regulation (M.R. 54/93) extends the definition of residency. The extensions are found in sections 7(1) and 8(1). Section 7(1) allows missionaries, individuals with out-of-country employment and individuals undertaking sabbatical leave to be outside Manitoba for up to two years while still remaining residents of Manitoba. Students are deemed to be Manitoba residents while in full-time attendance at an accredited educational institution. Section 8(1) extends residency to individuals who are legally entitled to work in Manitoba and have a work permit of 12 months or more and to individuals who hold study permits of six months or more under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada). Additionally, section 8.1.1 of the Residency and Registration Regulation extends deemed residency to temporary foreign workers (and their dependents) in the province to provide agricultural services on the basis of a work permit, regardless of the duration of their work permit.

The Residency and Registration Regulation, section 6, defines Manitoba's waiting period as follows:

"A resident who was a resident of another Canadian province or territory immediately before his or her arrival in Manitoba is not entitled to benefits until the first day of the third month following the month of arrival."

Section 6 of the Residency and Registration Regulation stipulates that there is no waiting period for dependents of members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

There are currently no other waiting periods in Manitoba.

The Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan (MHSIP) excludes residents covered under any federal plan, including the following federal statutes: Aeronautics Act; Civilian War-related Benefits Act; Government Employees Compensation Act; Merchant Seaman Compensation Act; National Defence Act; Pension Act; Veteran's Rehabilitation Act; federal inmates or those covered under legislation of any other jurisdiction (Excluded Services Regulations subsection 2(2)). These residents become eligible for health services insurance coverage upon discharge from the Canadian Forces, or in the case of an inmate of a penitentiary, upon discharge if the inmate has no resident dependents. Upon change of status, these persons have one month to register with Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors (MHHLS) (Residency and Registration Regulation (M.R. 54/93, subsection 2(3)).

RCMP members are insured persons in Manitoba and are eligible for benefits under the MHSIP.

The process of issuing health insurance cards requires that individuals inform and provide documentation to MHHLS that they are legally entitled to be in Canada, and that they intend to be physically present in Manitoba for six months in a calendar year. They must also provide a primary residence address in Manitoba. Upon receiving this information, MHHLS will provide a registration card for the individual and all qualifying dependents.

Manitoba has two health-related numbers. The registration number is a six-digit number assigned to an individual 18 years of age or older who is not classified as a dependent. This number is used by MHHLS to pay for all medical service claims for that individual and all designated dependents. A nine-digit Personal Health Identification Number (PHIN) is used for payment of all hospital services and for the provincial drug program.

As of March 31, 2015, there were 1,317,861 residents registered with the MHSIP.

There is no provision for a resident to opt out of the MHSIP.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

The Residency and Registration Regulation (M.R. 54/93, sub-section 8(1)) requires that temporary workers possess a work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada for at least 12 consecutive months, be physically present in Manitoba for six months in a calendar year, and be legally entitled to be in Canada before receiving MHSIP coverage.

Section 8.1(a.1) of the Residency and Registration Regulation extends deemed residency to foreign students (and their dependents) holding a valid study permit with a duration of 12 months or more.

Section 8.1.1 of the Residency and Registration Regulation extends deemed residency to temporary foreign workers (and their dependents) in the province to provide agricultural services on the basis of a work permit, regardless of the duration of their work permit.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

The Residency and Registration Regulation (M.R. 54/93, section 6) identifies the waiting period for insured persons from another province or territory. A resident who lived in another Canadian province or territory immediately before arriving in Manitoba is entitled to benefits on the first day of the third month following the month of arrival.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

The Residency and Registration Regulation (M.R. 54/93 section 7(1)) defines the rules for portability of health insurance during temporary absences in Canada.

Students are considered residents and will continue to receive health coverage for the duration of their full-time enrolment at any accredited educational institution. The additional requirement is that they intend to return and reside in Manitoba after completing their studies. Manitoba has formal agreements with all Canadian provinces and territories for the reciprocal billing of insured hospital services.

In-patient costs are paid at standard rates approved by the host province or territory. Payments for in-patient, high-cost procedures and out-patient services are based on national rates agreed to by provincial and territorial health plans. These include all medically necessary services as well as costs for emergency care.

Except for Quebec, medical physician services incurred in all provinces or territories are paid through a reciprocal billing agreement at host province or territory rates. Claims for physician medical services received in Quebec are submitted by the patient or physician to Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors (MHHLS) for payment at host province rates.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

The Residency and Registration Regulation (M.R. 54/93, sub-section 7(1)) defines the rules for portability of health insurance during temporary absences from Canada.

Section 7(1)(g) of the Residency and Registration Regulation extends the period during which a person may be temporarily absent from Manitoba for the purpose of residing outside of Canada from six months to a maximum of seven months in a 12-month period.

Residents on full-time employment contracts outside Canada will receive health services insurance coverage for up to 24 consecutive months. Individuals must return and reside in Manitoba after completing their employment terms. Clergy serving as humanitarian aid workers or missionaries on behalf of a religious organization approved as a registered charity under the Income Tax Act (Canada) will be covered by MHHLS for up to 24 consecutive months. Students are considered residents and will continue to receive health coverage for the duration of their full-time enrollment at an accredited educational institution. The additional requirement is that they intend to return and reside in Manitoba after completing their studies. Residents on sabbatical or educational leave from employment will be covered by MHHLS for up to 24 consecutive months. These individuals also must return and reside in Manitoba after completing their leave.

Manitobans requiring medically necessary hospital services unavailable in Manitoba or elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for costs incurred in the United States by providing MHHLS with a recommendation from a specialist stating that the patient requires a specific, medically necessary service.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

Prior approval is not required for procedures that are covered under the interprovincial reciprocal agreements with other provinces. Prior approval by MHHLS is required for high cost items or procedures that are not included in the reciprocal agreements.

All non-emergency hospital and medical care provided outside Canada requires prior approval from MHHLS.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors (MHHLS) ensures that medical services are equitable and reasonably available to all Manitobans. Effective January 1, 1999, the Surgical Facilities Regulation (M.R. 222/98) under the Health Services Insurance Act came into force to prevent private surgical facilities from charging additional fees for insured medical services.

The Health Services Insurance Act, the Private Hospitals Act and the Hospitals Act include definitions and other provisions to ensure:

• that no charges can be made to individuals who receive insured surgical services, or to anyone else on that person's behalf; and
• that a surgical facility cannot perform procedures requiring overnight stays and thereby function as a private hospital.

MHHLS continues to invest in improving clients' access. To achieve Manitoba's commitment that all Manitobans who wish to will have access to a family physician, investments continue to be made in initiatives such as Primary Care Networks and inter-professional teams. In addition, Manitoba opened a fifth Quick Care Clinic; operated two mobile clinics, one in the Prairie-Mountain Regional Health Authority (RHA) and the other in the Southern Health-Santé Sud RHA; and introduced more opportunities and supports for Manitobans to self-manage their health care. Investment also continued in existing initiatives that enhance capacity, quality and efficiency in primary care, such as the Physician Integrated Network, TeleCARE Manitoba (a chronic disease self-management resource for congestive heart failure and diabetes), and an After-Hours Call Community Network (a network of general practitioners linked to patients through the 24-hour Health Links-Info Santé service).

Since 2008, MHHLS funded and coordinated over 90 primary clinics, regional community programs and specialty clinics to successfully complete the Advanced Access training, enabling them to offer patients same-day access to a primary care provider and five-day access to a specialist or community program. Since 2013, the redeveloped Family Doctor Finder program has enabled Manitobans to call or e-mail to be registered and connected with a primary care provider. This includes Regional Primary Care Connectors, who work with regional primary care providers to find capacity in their practices to see new patients. To date, over 28,000 Manitobans without a provider have found one through the program.

The Cancer Patient Journey initiative was established in 2011 to streamline cancer services and dramatically reduce the wait time for patients between the time cancer is suspected and the start of effective treatment to two months or less. Key initiative activities to date include:

• Facilitating the work of the Rapid Improvement Leads with stakeholders to identify process efficiencies and improvements related to diagnosis and treatment.
• Opening of the Regional Cancer Program Hubs located in Thompson, The Pas, Steinbach and Winnipeg. These Cancer Hubs are oncology out-patient units focused on delivering chemotherapy as well as providing navigation services, psychosocial support and enhanced access to clinical expertise. They serve to expedite cancer diagnosis and treatment for people inside and outside Winnipeg.
• Clinical pathways for breast and colorectal cancer for suspicion of cancer to treatment were completed with broad consultation and validation among clinicians.
• Patient trackers were hired to track a patient's journey from suspicion of cancer to diagnosis.

In November 2012 the province released an updated framework "Manitoba's Cancer Strategy 2012-2017" for cancer control that will guide actions to build on the major successes delivered under the 2007 provincial cancer strategic framework. The document, created with input from partners, stakeholders and cancer patients themselves, outlines an integrated and cohesive approach to cancer that involves prevention, screening, diagnosis, research, treatment, palliative care and survivorship. Key activities to date include:

• Expanding the hours of the Urgent Care Clinic and Helpline at CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) to provide after-hours support to Manitobans facing cancer. The Urgent Care Clinic assists patients with cancer-related complications and side-effects from treatment, such as dehydration, pain, nausea, digestive issues, and fatigue. The helpline is a dedicated phone line answered by registered nurses with oncology training, to provide support and advice to cancer patients faced with urgent issues and direct them to appropriate services.
• The implementation of the provincial conversion of Film Screen Mammography equipment to Digital Mammography.
• Implementing liquid based cytology as a platform for future HPV testing in Manitoba.
• The development of cancer prevention concepts including smoking cessation, genetic testing and radiation exposure legislation.
• Grant funding to assist in the service delivery of the Canadian Cancer Society transportation program to ensure patients receive transportation to cancer treatment and appointments no matter where they live in the province.
• The Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology at CancerCare Manitoba consolidated all cancer researchers under one umbrella institute which has resulted in cross talk, efficiency and awareness of all cancer research while also including the patient experience and prevention.
• Increasing the number of medical oncologists with a special interest in gastro intestinal malignancies (including pancreatic cancers).

Other improvements in Cancer and Diagnostic care include:

• Plans to expand and renovate the Thompson Hospital's chemotherapy space providing a larger, more functional environment for patients and staff alike.
• The preliminary design of a new CancerCare Building.
• Additional renal dialysis capacity was added through funding for an additional four stations to provide service to 24 patients in Winnipeg.
• Additional MRI capacity was added through expansion of service hours.
• Expansion of after-hours and emergency diagnostic testing for computed tomography in rural Manitoba.
• Provincial Lab Information System (PLIS) implementation at 13 additional sites within Manitoba. The PLIS enables electronic delivery of rural lab results to clinical data repositories, emergency departments and to electronic medical records.
• Replacement of Computed Radiography facilities at Ste. Anne, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Glenboro and Souris. This new equipment provides digital images that are sent to radiologists electronically resulting in improved turnaround times so that patients receive their test results faster and improved access for physicians to enhance treatment planning.

A three million dollar cross-departmental grant aimed at improving the health and quality of life for Manitobans living with spinal cord injury and related disabilities has been established.

Manitoba continues to experience growth in the number of active practicing nurses. There were 17,806 active practicing nurses in Manitoba in 2014. This represents a net gain of 11 nurses over 2013 (17,795).

A renewed Collective Agreement was reached with the Manitoba Nurses' Union (MNU) on April 9, 2014 and is in effect for four years, from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2017. The Agreement provides for wage increases of 10.1% over four years, which breaks down as follows: 2% retroactively for 2013; 2% in 2014 plus 1.1% market adjustment; 2% in 2015; and 2% in 2016 plus a 1% market adjustment. As part of the new Agreement, the parties made a number of post-bargaining commitments, including the commitment to identify, develop and implement system delivery changes intended to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of health care service delivery in Manitoba.

The Nurses Recruitment and Retention Fund, established in 1999, continues to contribute to the nursing supply in terms of both recruitment and retention in Manitoba. Financial support has continued to be provided in order to assist nurses of all categories to offset the cost of relocating to work in Manitoba, as well as offering funding to encourage nurses to work in rural and northern regions and other areas of need in order to enhance the delivery of health care across the province.

In addition to continued implementation of the overall healthcare transformation whereby more services may be provided in the community, in primary care settings, efforts will be undertaken over the next few years to plan for addressing both the increasing age of this workforce, in terms of retirements, as well as the advancing age of the population in terms of the need for long term care services.

The Province has been supporting the expansion of the Physician Assistant (PA) role in Manitoba. PAs are highly skilled health care professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of licensed physicians. PAs are regulated by the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) and must be registered with the CPSM in order to practice in Manitoba. The CPSM determines a PA's specific scope of practice by approving their practice description, which is signed by their supervising physician.

Since Manitoba established its PA Regulation in 1999 the role of the PA has grown from positions with acute surgical units (general, orthopedic and cardiac) to having PAs providing clinical support in areas of mental health, internal medicine, oncology and primary care. PAs working in primary care in Manitoba have ranged from 'solo' practices in rural Manitoba, supervised and supported by physicians in a nearby community, to working in both regional health authority run primary care clinics and community-based fee-for-service clinics. The demand for PAs continues to grow as the profession has shown great adaptability to address access and service challenges throughout Manitoba's health system. As of March 2015, there were 65 PAs registered with the CPSM.

5.2 Physician Compensation

Manitoba continues to employ the following methods of payment for physicians: fee-for-service, contract, blended and sessional. The Health Services Insurance Act governs remuneration to physicians for insured services. There were no amendments to the Health Services Insurance Act related to physician compensation during the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

Fee-for-service remains the primary method of payment for physician services. Alternate payment arrangements constitute a significant portion of the total compensation to physicians in Manitoba. Alternate-funded physicians are those who receive non fee-for-service compensation, including through a salary (employment relationship) or those who work on an independent contract basis. Manitoba also uses blended payment methods where appropriate. As well, physicians may receive sessional payments for providing medical services on a time based arrangement, as well as stipends for on-call and other responsibilities.

Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors represents Manitoba in negotiations with physicians. The physicians are typically represented by Doctors Manitoba with some exceptions, such as oncologists engaged by CancerCare Manitoba.

Negotiations to renew the Master Agreement between Doctors Manitoba and Manitoba, which expired on March 31, 2015, took place during the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

The Manitoba Physician's Manual lists all of the fee tariff descriptions, rates, rules of application and the dispute resolution process in relation to fee-for-service payments to physicians. This document is the Schedule of Benefits payable to physicians on behalf of insured persons in Manitoba pursuant to the Medical Services Insurance Regulation under The Health Services Insurance Act.

All fee-for-service claims must be submitted electronically. The submission of paper claims is permitted on a limited basis and only with the prior approval of Manitoba Health. Fee-for-service claims must be received within six months of the date upon which the physician rendered the service.

During the 2014-2015 fiscal year, final preparations were made for implementation of a new claims processing system to replace the legacy system which has been in use for over 40 years.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

Division 3.1 of Part 4 of the Regional Health Authorities Act sets out the requirements for operating agreements between regional health authorities and the operators of hospitals and personal care homes, defined as "health corporations" under the Act.

Pursuant to the provisions of division 3.1, regional health authorities are prohibited from providing funding to a health corporation for operational purposes unless the parties have entered into a written agreement for this purpose that: enables the health services to be provided by the health corporation; enables the funding to be provided by the regional health authority for the health services; sets out the terms of the agreement; and includes a dispute resolution process and remedies for breaches. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the Act enables them to request that the Minister of Health appoint a mediator to help them resolve outstanding issues. If the mediation is unsuccessful, the Minister is empowered to resolve the matter or matters in dispute. The Minister's resolution is binding on the parties.

There are three regional health authorities which have hospitals operated by health corporations in their health regions. The regional health authorities have required agreements with health corporations that enable the regional health authority to determine funding based on objective evidence, best practices and criteria that are commonly applied to comparable facilities. In all other regions, the hospitals are operated by the Regional Health Authorities Act. Section 23 of the Act requires that regional health authorities allocate their resources in accordance with the approved regional health plan.

The allocation of resources by regional health authorities for providing hospital services is approved by MHHLS through the approval of regional health plans, which the regional health authorities are required to submit for approval pursuant to section 24 of the Regional Health Authorities Act. Section 23 of the Act requires that authorities allocate their resources in accordance with the approved regional health plan.

Pursuant to subsection 50(2.1) of the Health Services Insurance Act, payments from the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan (MHSIP) for insured hospital services are to be paid to the regional health authorities. In relation to those hospitals that are not owned and operated by a regional health authority, the regional health authority is required to pay each hospital in accordance with any agreement reached between the regional health authority and the hospital operator.

No legislative amendments to the Act or the regulations in 2014-2015 had an effect on payments to hospitals.

6.0 Recognition Given to Federal Transfers

Manitoba regularly recognizes the federal role regarding the contributions provided under the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) in public documents. Federal transfers are identified in the Estimates of Expenditures and Revenue (Manitoba Budget) document and in the Public Accounts of Manitoba. Both documents are published annually by the Manitoba government.

Saskatchewan

Introduction

Saskatchewan's Ministry of Health strives to put patients first by building a responsive, integrated, and efficient health system that enables people to achieve their best possible health. The Ministry is exploring innovative approaches based on targets in four areas: better health, better care, better value, and better teams. The needs and values of patients and families are reflected in both planning and delivery of care, through a system-wide focus on quality improvement (Lean) management processes.

Saskatchewan's health care system includes 12 regional health authorities, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, eHealth Saskatchewan, 3sHealth (Shared Services Saskatchewan), the Athabasca Health Authority, affiliated health care organizations, and a diverse group of professionals, many of whom are in private practice. There are 26 self-regulated health professions in the province and the health system as a whole employs more than 40,000 people who provide a broad range of services. The Ministry provides governance training and effective strategic oversight to the Boards of Directors of regional health authorities and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and encourages leadership from boards, management, and health professionals at all levels.

The Ministry also supports the efforts of regional health authorities, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, and other stakeholders to recruit and retain health care providers, including nurses and physicians. Partnerships with local, regional, provincial, national and international organizations are fundamental to providing all Saskatchewan residents with access to quality health care services.

Visit Government of Saskatchewan - Health for more information about Ministry programs and services.

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

The provincial government is responsible for funding and ensuring the provision of insured hospital, physician and surgical-dental services in Saskatchewan. Section 6.1 of the Health Administration Act authorizes that the Minister of Health may:

• pay part of, or the whole of, the cost of providing health services for any persons or classes of person who may be designated by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council;
• make grants or loans, or provide subsidies to regional health authorities, health care organizations or municipalities for providing and operating health services or public health services;
• pay part of, or the whole of, the cost of providing health services in any health region or part of a health region in which those services are considered by the Minister to be required;
• make grants or provide subsidies to any health agency that the Minister considers necessary; and
• make grants or provide subsidies to stimulate and develop public health research, and to conduct surveys and studies in the area of public health.

Sections 8 and 9 of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act provide the authority for the Minister of Health to establish and administer a plan of medical care insurance for residents. The Regional Health Services Act, implemented in 2002, provides the authority to establish 12 regional health authorities.

Sections 3 and 9 of the Cancer Agency Act provide for establishing a Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and for the Agency to coordinate a program for diagnosing, preventing and treating cancer.

The mandates of the Ministry of Health, regional health authorities and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency are outlined in the Health Administration Act, the Regional Health Services Act and the Cancer Agency Act.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

The Ministry of Health is directly accountable, and regularly reports, to the Minister of Health on the funding, and administering the funds, for insured physician, surgical-dental and hospital services.

Section 36 of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act requires that the Minister of Health submit an annual report concerning the medical care insurance plan to the Legislative Assembly.

The Regional Health Services Act requires that each regional health authority shall submit to the Minister of Health:

• a report on the activities of the regional health authority; and
• a detailed, audited set of financial statements.

Pursuant to legislation, these reports and corresponding statements are then provided by the Minister to the Legislative Assembly.

Section 54 of the Regional Health Services Act requires that regional health authorities and the Cancer Agency submit to the Minister any reports that the Minister may request from time to time. Regional health authorities and the Cancer Agency are required to submit various financial documents and a health service plan to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

The Provincial Auditor conducts an annual audit of government ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Health. It includes an audit of Ministry payments including but not limited to regional health authorities, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, and physicians and dental surgeons for insured physician and surgical-dental services.

Section 57 of the Regional Health Services Act requires that an independent auditor, who possesses the prescribed qualification and is appointed for that purpose by a regional health authority and the Cancer Agency, audit the accounts of a regional health authority or the Cancer Agency at least once in every fiscal year. Each regional health authority and the Cancer Agency must annually submit to the Minister of Health a detailed, audited set of financial statements.

The most recent audits were for the year ending March 31, 2015. The audits of the Government of Saskatchewan, regional health authorities and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency are tabled in the Saskatchewan Legislature each year. The reports are available to the public directly from each entity and are available on their websites.

The Office of the Provincial Auditor for Saskatchewan also prepares reports to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. These reports are designed to assist the government in managing public resources and to improve the information provided to the Legislative Assembly. They are available on the Provincial Auditor's website.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

Section 8 of the Regional Health Services Act gives the Minister the authority to provide funding to a regional health authority or a health care organization for the purpose of the Act.

Section 10 of the Act permits the Minister to designate facilities including hospitals, special care homes and health centres. Section 11 allows the Minister to prescribe standards for delivering services in those facilities by regional health authorities and health care organizations that have entered into service agreements with a regional health authority.

The Act sets out the accountability requirements for regional health authorities and health care organizations. These requirements include submitting annual financial and health service plans for ministerial approval (section 51), establishing community advisory networks (section 28), and reporting critical incidents (section 58). The Minister also has the authority to establish a provincial surgical registry to help manage surgical wait times (section 12). The Minister retains authority to inquire into matters (section 59), appoint a public administrator if necessary (section 60), and approve general and staff practitioner by-laws (sections 42-44).

Funding for hospitals is included in the funding provided to regional health authorities.

A comprehensive range of insured services is provided by hospitals. These may include: public ward accommodation; necessary nursing services; the use of operating room and case room facilities; required medical and surgical materials and appliances; x-ray, laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures; radiotherapy facilities; anaesthetic agents and the use of anaesthesia equipment; physiotherapeutic procedures; all drugs, biological and related preparations required for hospitalized patients; and services rendered by individuals who receive remuneration from the hospital.

Hospitals are grouped into the following five categories: Community Hospitals; Northern Hospitals; District Hospitals; Regional Hospitals; and Provincial Hospitals, so people know what they can expect at each hospital. While not all hospitals will offer the same kinds of services, reliability and predictability means:

• it is widely understood which services each hospital offers; and
• these services will be provided on a continuous basis, subject to the availability of appropriate health providers.

Regional health authorities have the authority to change the manner in which they deliver insured hospital services based on an assessment of their population health needs, available health providers and financial resources.

The process for adding a hospital service to the list of services covered by the health care insurance plan involves a comprehensive review, which takes into account such factors as service need, anticipated service volume, health outcomes by the proposed and alternative services, cost and human resource requirements, including availability of providers as well as initial and ongoing competency assurance demands. A regional health authority initiates the process and, depending on the specific service request, it could include consultations involving several branches within the Ministry of Health as well as external stakeholder groups such as other regional health authorities, service providers and the public.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

Sections 8 and 9 of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act enable the Minister of Health to establish and administer a plan of medical care insurance for provincial residents. All fee items for physicians can be found in the Physician Payment Schedule.

As of March 31, 2015, there were 2,224 physicians licensed to practice in the province and eligible to participate in the Medical Care Insurance Plan. Of these, 1,181 (53.1 percent) were family practitioners and 1,043 (46.9 percent) were specialists.

Physicians may opt out or not participate in the Medical Services Plan, but if doing so, they must fully opt out of all insured physician services. The opted-out physician must also advise beneficiaries that the physician services to be provided are not insured and that the beneficiary is not entitled to be reimbursed for those services. Written acknowledgement from the beneficiary indicating that he or she understands the advice given by the physician is also required.

As of March 31, 2015, there were no opted-out physicians in Saskatchewan.

Insured physician services are those that are medically necessary, are covered by the Medical Services Plan of the Ministry of Health, and are listed in the Physician Payment Schedule of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Payment Regulations (1994) of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act.

A process of formal discussion between the Medical Services Plan and the Saskatchewan Medical Association addresses new insured physician services and definition or assessment rule revisions to existing selected services. The Executive Director of the Medical Services Branch manages this process. When the Medical Services Plan covers a new insured physician service, or revisions to definitions or assessment rules for existing services occur, a regulatory amendment is made to the Physician Payment Schedule.

Although formal public consultations are not held, any member of the public may make recommendations about physician services to be added to the Medical Services Plan.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

Dentists may opt out or not participate in the Medical Services Plan, but if doing so, they must opt out of all insured surgical-dental services. The dentist must also advise beneficiaries that the surgical-dental services to be provided are not insured and that the beneficiary is not entitled to reimbursement for those services. Written acknowledgement from the beneficiary indicating that he or she understands the advice given by the dentist is also required. There were no opted-out dentists in Saskatchewan as of March 31, 2015.

Insured surgical-dental services are limited to: services in connection with maxillo-facial surgery required as a result of trauma; treatment services for the orthodontic care of cleft palate; extraction of teeth when medically required for the provision of heart surgery, services for chronic renal disease, head and neck cancer services, and services for total joint replacement by prosthesis when a formal referral has been made and prior approval obtained from Medical Services Branch; and certain services in connection with abnormalities of the mouth and surrounding structures.

Surgical-dental services can be added to the list of insured services covered under the Medical Services Plan through a process of discussion and consultation with provincial dental surgeons. The Executive Director of the Medical Services Branch manages the process of adding a new service. Although formal public consultations are not held, any member of the public may recommend that surgical-dental services be added to the Medical Services Plan.

As of March 31, 2015, there were approximately 473 practicing dentists and dental surgeons located in all major centres in Saskatchewan. Seventy-nine provided services insured under the Medical Services Plan.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Uninsured hospital, physician and surgical-dental services in Saskatchewan include: in-patient and out-patient hospital services provided for reasons other than medical necessity; the extra cost of private and semi-private hospital accommodation not ordered by a physician; physiotherapy and occupational therapy services not provided by or under contract with a regional health authority; services provided by health facilities other than hospitals unless through an agreement with a regional health authority and licensed under the Health Facilities Licensing Act; non-emergency insured hospital, physician or surgical-dental services obtained outside Canada without prior written approval; non-medically required elective physician services; surgical-dental services that are not medically necessary; and services received under other public programs including the Workers' Compensation Act, the federal Department of Veteran Affairs and the Mental Health Services Act.

As a matter of policy and principle, insured hospital, physician and surgical-dental services are provided to residents on the basis of assessed clinical need. Compliance is periodically monitored through consultation with regional health authorities, physicians and dentists. There are no charges allowed in Saskatchewan for insured hospital, physician or surgical-dental services. Charges for enhanced medical services or products are permitted only if the medical service or product is not deemed medically necessary. Compliance is monitored through consultations with regional health authorities, physicians and dentists.

Insured hospital services could be de-insured by the government if they were determined to be no longer medically necessary. The process is based on discussions among regional health authorities, practitioners, and officials from the Ministry of Health.

Insured physician services could be de-insured if they were determined not to be medically required. The process is based on consultations with the Saskatchewan Medical Association and managed by the Executive Director of the Medical Services Branch.

Insured surgical-dental services could be de-insured if they were determined not to be medically necessary. The process is based on discussion and consultation with the dental surgeons of the province, and is managed by the Executive Director of the Medical Services Branch.

Formal public consultations about de-insuring hospital, physician or surgical-dental services may be held if warranted. There were no services de-insured in 2014-2015.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act (sections 2 and 12) and the Medical Care Insurance Beneficiary and Administration Regulations define eligibility for insured health services in Saskatchewan. Section 11 of the Act requires that all residents register for provincial health coverage.

Eligibility is limited to residents. A "resident" means a person who is legally entitled to remain in Canada, who makes his or her home and is ordinarily present in Saskatchewan, or any other person declared by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council to be a resident. Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada relocating from within Canada to Saskatchewan are generally eligible for coverage on the first day of the third month following establishment of residency in Saskatchewan.

Returning Canadian citizens, the families of returning members of the Canadian Forces, international students, and international workers are eligible for coverage on establishing residency in Saskatchewan, provided that residency is established before the first day of the third month following their admittance to Canada.

The following persons are not eligible for insured health services in Saskatchewan:

• members of the Canadian Forces, federal inmates, refugee claimants, visitors to the province; and
• persons eligible for coverage from their home province or territory for the period of their stay in Saskatchewan (e.g., students and workers covered under temporary absence provisions from their home province or territory).

Such people become eligible for coverage as follows:

• discharged members of the Canadian Forces, if stationed in or resident in Saskatchewan on their discharge date;
• released federal inmates (this includes those prisoners who have completed their sentences in a federal penitentiary and those prisoners who have been granted parole and are living in the community); and
• refugee claimants, on receiving Convention Refugee status (immigration documentation is required).

The number of persons registered for health services in Saskatchewan on June 30, 2014, was 1,152,330.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

Other categories of individuals who are eligible for insured health service coverage include persons allowed to enter and remain in Canada under authority of a work permit, study permit or Minister's permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Their accompanying family may also be eligible for insured health service coverage.

Refugees are eligible on confirmation of Convention status combined with a study or work permit, Minister's permit or permanent resident or landed immigrant record.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

In general, insured persons from another province or territory who move to Saskatchewan are eligible on the first day of the third month following establishment of residency. However, where one spouse arrives in advance of the other, the eligibility for the later arriving spouse is established on the earlier of a) the first day of the third month following arrival of the second spouse; or b) the first day of the thirteenth month following the establishment of residency by the first spouse.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

Section 3 of the Medical Care Insurance Beneficiary and Administration Regulations of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act prescribes the portability of health insurance provided to Saskatchewan residents while temporarily absent within Canada. There were no changes to the in-Canada temporary absence provisions in 2014-2015.

Section 6.6 of the Health Administration Act provides the authority for paying in-patient hospital services to Saskatchewan beneficiaries temporarily residing outside the province. Section 10 of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Payment Regulations (1994) provides payment for physician services to Saskatchewan beneficiaries temporarily residing outside the province.

Continued coverage during a period of temporary absence is conditional upon the registrant's intent to return to Saskatchewan residency immediately on expiration of the approved absence period as follows:

• education: for the duration of studies at a recognized educational facility (confirmation by the facility of full-time student status and expected graduation date are required);
• employment of up to 12 months (no documentation required); and
• vacation and travel of up to 12 months.

Saskatchewan has bilateral reciprocal billing agreements with all provinces for hospital services. Quebec does not participate in reciprocal billing of physician services.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

Section 3 of the Medical Care Insurance Beneficiary and Administration Regulations of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act prescribes the portability of health insurance provided to Saskatchewan residents who are temporarily absent from Canada.

Continued coverage for students, temporary workers, vacationers and travelers during a period of temporary absence from Canada is conditional on the registrant's intent to return to Saskatchewan residence immediately on the expiration of the approved period as follows:

• education: for the duration of studies at a recognized educational facility (confirmation by the facility of full-time student status and expected graduation date are required);
• contract employment of up to 24 months; and
• vacation and travel of up to 12 months.

Section 3 of the Medical Care Insurance Beneficiary and Administration Regulations provides open-ended temporary absence coverage for persons whose principal place of residence is in Saskatchewan, but who are not able to satisfy the annual six months physical presence requirement because the nature of their employment requires travel from place to place outside Canada (e.g., cruise line workers).

Section 6.6 of the Health Administration Act provides the authority under which a resident is eligible for health coverage when temporarily outside Canada. In summary, a resident is eligible for medically necessary hospital services at the rate of $100 per in-patient and $50 per out-patient visit per day.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

Out-of-Province

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health covers most hospital and medical out-of-province care received by its residents in Canada through reciprocal billing arrangements. These arrangements mean that residents do not need prior approval and may not be billed for most services received in other provinces or territories while travelling within Canada. The cost of travel, meals and accommodation are not covered.

Prior approval is required for the following services provided out-of-province:

• alcohol and drug, mental health, rehabilitation, problem gambling services, home care, and certain rehabilitative services.

Prior approval from the Ministry must be obtained by the patient's specialist.

Out-of-Country

If a specialist physician refers a patient outside Canada for treatment not available in Saskatchewan or another province, the referring specialist must seek prior approval from the Medical Services Plan of the Ministry of Health. The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency is consulted for out-of-country cancer treatment requests. If approved, the Ministry of Health will pay the full cost of treatment, excluding any items that would not be covered in Saskatchewan.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

To ensure that access to insured hospital, physician and surgical-dental services are not impeded or precluded by financial barriers, extra-billing by physicians or dental surgeons, and user charges by hospitals for insured health services are not allowed in Saskatchewan.

Building on the success of the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative which significantly reduced patient wait times for surgery, the health system is working to strengthen coordination, communication, and referral guidelines to better coordinate services to ensure patients have timely access to the most appropriate specialist and diagnostic services. By reducing the wait time for a consult with a specialist or diagnostic services (such as MRI and CTs), patients will be able to access treatment sooner.

In May 2009, the Government of Saskatchewan released the Physician Recruitment Strategy in an effort to address province-wide physician shortages. In 2014-2015 funding supported several recruitment initiatives:

• The provincial plan for distributed medical education continued to be developed and rolled out with the goal of increasing the number of medical seats in rural centres. Post-graduate seats were offered in Regina, Prince Albert, Swift Current, North Battleford, La Ronge and Moose Jaw.
• The Physician Recruitment Agency of Saskatchewan (saskdocs), created in 2009, continued to provide recruitment expertise to communities, physician practices and health agencies.
• The Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment program worked to ensure that foreign-trained physicians were assessed with sufficient rigor and patients received safe, high-quality care.

Other Programs

The Family Physician Comprehensive Care Program is intended to support recruitment and retention of family physicians by recognizing those physicians who provide a full range of services to their patients and the continuity of care that result from these comprehensive services.

5.2 Physician Compensation

Section 6 of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Payment Regulations (1994) outlines the obligation of the Minister of Health to make payments for insured services in accordance with the Physician Payment Schedule and the Dentist Payment Schedule.

Fee-for-service is the most widely used method of compensating physicians for insured health services in Saskatchewan, although sessional payments, salary, and blended methods are also used. Fee-for-service is the only mechanism used to fund dentists for insured surgical-dental services. Total expenditures for in-province physician services and programs in 2014-2015 amounted to $898.6 million: $507.1 million for fee-for-service billings; $30.4 million for Specialist Emergency Coverage Programs; and $361.1 million in non-fee-for-service expenditures. There was also an additional $64.3 million for other Saskatchewan Medical Association and bursary programs.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

Funding to regional health authorities is based on historical funding levels adjusted for inflation, collective agreement costs and utilization increases. Each regional health authority is given a global budget and is responsible for allocating funds within that budget to address service needs and priorities identified through its needs assessment processes.

Regional health authorities may receive additional funds for providing specialized hospital programs (e.g., renal dialysis, specialized medical imaging services, specialized respiratory services, and surgical services), or for providing services to residents from other health regions.

Payments to regional health authorities for delivering services are made pursuant to section 8 of the Regional Health Services Act. The legislation provides the authority for the Minister of Health to make grants to regional health authorities and health care organizations for the purposes of the Act, and to arrange for providing services in any area of Saskatchewan if it is in the public interest to do so.

Regional health authorities provide an annual report on the aggregate financial results of their operations.

6.0 Recognition Given to Federal Transfers

The Government of Saskatchewan publicly acknowledged the federal contributions provided through the Canada Health Transfer in the Ministry's 2014-2015 Annual Report, the Government of Saskatchewan 2014-2015 Budget and related documents, its 2014-2015 Public Accounts, and the Quarterly and Mid-Year Financial Reports. These documents were tabled in the Legislative Assembly and are publicly available to Saskatchewan residents. Federal contributions have also been acknowledged on the Ministry of Health website, in news releases and issue papers, and in speeches and remarks made at various conferences, meetings and public policy forums.

Alberta

Introduction

Alberta's Health Care System

The Minister of Health, the Department of Health (Alberta Health) and the Regional Health Authority (Alberta Health Services) play key roles in Alberta's health care system. All entities work together to deliver better care, improve health outcomes and provide the best health care system possible for Albertans.

The vision of Alberta Health; Healthy Albertans in a Healthy Alberta, is achieved through a commitment to the mission, core business and goals of the ministry. Alberta Health's mission is to set policy and direction to improve health outcomes for all Albertans, support the wellbeing and independence of Albertans, and achieve a high quality, appropriate, accountable and sustainable health system. Alberta Health's core business is improving Albertans' health status over time.

Over the past year Alberta has made progress towards three key desired outcomes:

Goal 1: Strengthened health system leadership, accountability and performance

Each year approximately 1,600 medical residents train through Alberta's two medical schools and over 300 undergraduate medical students commence their medical studies. Medical residents provide direct clinical services during their two to eight years of training. Approximately 70 percent of Alberta's medical graduates set up practice in Alberta, which is the second highest retention rate in Canada.

Goal 2: Albertans have improved health as a result of protecting and promoting wellness and supporting independence

Over 1.2 million Albertans received the influenza vaccine in 2014-2015. This is 30 percent of the population, as compared to 27 percent in 2013-2014. Pharmacists administered 486,709 doses of influenza vaccine and Alberta Health Services Public Health administered 492,220 doses. Reports show that 64 percent of Alberta Health Services health care workers were immunized in the 2014-2015 influenza season, as compared to 60 percent in 2013-2014.

The Skin Cancer Prevention (Artificial Tanning) Act is a major step forward in the effort to reduce cancer in Alberta. The bill for this Act was passed in March 2015. When the legislation is proclaimed in force and regulations completed, it will:

• ban businesses from selling and providing artificial tanning services to minors;
• prohibit advertising of artificial tanning directed to minors;
• mandate health warnings in artificial tanning facilities and on advertising materials; and
• prohibit unsupervised, self-serve artificial tanning equipment in public places.

Goal 3: Albertans have enhanced access to high quality, appropriate, cost-effective health care and support services

The government is committed to providing the support needed to improve evolving primary care delivery that responds to the health care needs of Albertans. Alberta's Primary Health Care Strategy, released in May 2014, sets the direction for Primary Health Care transformation and reinforces the vision for Albertans to be as healthy as they can be.

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

Alberta Health administers and operates the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan in accordance with the Canada Health Act. Since 1969, the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act has governed the operation of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. The Minister of Health, working in conjunction with the appropriate stakeholders, determines which services are covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

The Minister of Health is accountable for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. The Fiscal Management Act, which came into force in 2013, provides a framework to govern budgeting and fiscal planning.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

The Auditor General of Alberta audits all government ministries, departments, regulated funds and provincial agencies, and is responsible for assuring the public that the government's financial reporting is credible. The Auditor General of Alberta completed an audit of Alberta Health on June 5, 2015 and indicated that the statements fairly represent, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations for the year that ended March 31, 2015.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

In Alberta, Alberta Health Services is the body responsible to the Minister of Health for ensuring the provision of insured hospital services. The Hospitals Act, the Hospitalization Benefits Regulation (AR 244/1990), the Health Care Protection Act, and the Health Care Protection Regulation (AR 208/2000) govern the provision of insured services by hospitals or designated non-hospital surgical facilities. A directory of approved hospitals in Alberta can be found at: Alberta Health - Health benefits and services.

During 2014-2015, no amendments were made to the legislation regarding insured hospital services.

The publicly funded services provided by approved hospitals in Alberta range from the most advanced levels of diagnostic and treatment services for in-patients and out-patients, to routine care and management of patients with previously diagnosed chronic conditions. The benefits available to hospital patients in Alberta are established in the Hospitalization Benefits Regulation (AR 244/1990). The Regulation is available at: Alberta Health - Health legislation.

There is no regular process to review insured hospital services, as the list of insured services included in the regulations is intended to be both comprehensive and generic, and does not require routine review and updating. Changes to specific physician services can be found in the Schedule of Medical Benefits, and are described in the next section.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Act governs the payment of physicians for insured physician services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (section 6). Only physicians who meet the requirements stated in the Act are permitted to make a claim for payment of benefits for providing insured services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan.

Alberta had 8,873 physicians participating under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan as of March 31, 2015. Within this, 7,405 physicians were paid exclusively under fee-for-service, 697 were compensated solely under an Alternative Relationship Plan (ARP) and the remaining 771 physicians received compensation from both fee-for-service and ARP. Out of the 4,537 General Practitioners, 3,284 were registered providers in Primary Care Networks as of March 31, 2015.

Before being registered with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, a physician must complete the appropriate registration forms and include a copy of his or her license issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.

Under section 8 of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act, all physicians are deemed to be opted into the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. A physician may; however, opt out by notifying the Minister they wish to opt out of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. Under section 8(2) a physician may opt out of the Plan by (a) notifying the Minister in writing indicating the effective date of the opting out, (b) publishing a notice of the proposed opting out in a newspaper having general circulation in the area in which the physician practices, and (c) posting a notice of the proposed opting out in a part of the physician's office to which patients have access at least 180 days prior to the effective date of the opting out. By opting out of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, a physician agrees that, commencing on the opt-out effective date, they will not participate in the publicly funded health system. This means that the physician cannot make a claim from the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan for payment for providing what would otherwise be publicly funded health services and the patient cannot seek reimbursement for any amounts paid by the patient for receiving health services from the opted-out physician. As of July 1, 2014, one physician opted out of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan in the province.

Section 12 of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Regulation lists services which are not considered as basic or extended health services. The Medical Benefits Regulation establishes the benefits payable for insured medical services provided to a resident of Alberta. Descriptions of those services are set out in the Schedule of Medical Benefits, which can be accessed at: Alberta Health - Schedule of Medical Benefits - Health professional fees.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

In Alberta, a small number of surgical-dental services are insured. The majority of dental procedures that can be billed to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan can only be performed by a dentist certified as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who meets the requirements stated in the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act.

Alberta insures a number of medically necessary oral surgical and dental procedures that are listed in the Schedule of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Benefits, available at: Alberta Health - Allied Schedule - Health professional fees.

Although there is no formal agreement with dentists, Alberta Health meets with members of the Alberta Dental Association and College to discuss changes to the Schedule of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Benefits. All changes to the benefit schedule require Ministerial approval.

Under section 7 of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act, all dentists are deemed to have opted into the Plan. A dentist may opt out by notifying the Minister of Health they wish to opt out of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan.

Under section 7(2) a dentist may opt out of the Plan by (a) notifying the Minister in writing indicating the effective date of the opting out, (b) publishing a notice of the proposed opting out in a newspaper having general circulation in the area in which the dentist practices, and (c) posting a notice of the proposed opting out in a part of the dentist's office to which patients have access at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the opting out. By opting out of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, a dentist agrees that, commencing on the opt-out effective date, they will not participate in the publicly funded health system. This means that the dentist cannot make a claim from the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan for payment for providing what would otherwise be publicly funded surgical-dental services and the patient cannot seek reimbursement for any amounts paid by the patient for receiving surgical-dental services from the opted-out dentist. As of March 31, 2015, no dentists were opted-out of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician, and Surgical-Dental Services

Section 12 of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Regulation lists services which are not considered as basic or extended health services. Section 4(2) of the Hospitalization Benefits Regulation provides a list of hospital services that are not considered to be insured.

The Preferred Accommodation and Non Standard Goods or Services Policy describes the Government of Alberta's expectations of Alberta Health Services and guides the provision of preferred accommodation, and enhanced or non-standard goods and services. This policy framework requires Alberta Health Services to provide 30 days advance notice to the Health Minister's designate regarding the categories of preferred accommodation offered and the charges associated with each category. Alberta Health Services is also required to provide 30 days advance notice to the Health Minister's designate regarding any goods or services that will be provided as non-standard goods or services. Alberta Health Services must also provide information about the associated charge for these goods or services, and when applicable, the criteria or clinical indications that may qualify patients to receive it as a standard good or service. Alberta's policy for Preferred Accommodation and Non-Standard Goods or Services is available at: Alberta Health - Preferred Accommodation and Non-standard Goods or Services.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

Under the terms of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act, Alberta residents are eligible to receive publicly funded health care services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. A resident is defined as a person lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada, who makes the province his or her home and is ordinarily present in Alberta as defined in the regulations. The term "resident" does not include a tourist, transient, or visitor to Alberta. Persons moving permanently to Alberta from outside Canada are eligible for coverage if they have permanent resident status, are returning landed immigrants, or are returning Canadian citizens. Persons in Alberta on an approved Canada entry permit may also be eligible for coverage under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, and their eligibility is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Certain categories of individuals who would otherwise be considered residents are deemed by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act to be eligible for coverage received under federal legislation. These residents who are not eligible for coverage under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, but receive health care coverage from the federal government, include:

• members of the Canadian Armed Forces; and
• persons serving a term in a federal penitentiary.

Spouses or partners and dependents of the above are provided with Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan coverage if they are Alberta residents.

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan will cover individuals released from the Canadian Armed Forces, and federal penitentiaries, effective the date of release, if notified within three months. If they are released in another part of Canada, they are eligible for coverage on the first day of the third month after becoming a resident of Alberta. The RCMP Health Coverage Statutes Amendment Act provides Royal Canadian Mounted Police members coverage under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan.

In order to access insured services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, Alberta residents are required to register themselves and their eligible dependents. Family members are registered on the same account. Persons moving to Alberta should apply for coverage within three months of arrival or effective dates may be affected. For persons moving to Alberta from within Canada, their registration is effective on the first day of the third month after their arrival. For persons moving to Alberta from outside Canada, their registration is effective the day they become an Alberta resident. The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan process, for registering Albertans and issuing replacement health cards, requires registrants to provide documentation that proves their identity, legal entitlement to be in Canada, and Alberta residency.

As of March 31, 2015, there were 4,354,660 Alberta residents registered with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. Under the Health Insurance Premiums Act, a resident may opt out of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan by filing a declaration with the Minister of Health. As of March 31, 2015, there were 249 Alberta residents who were opted out of the Plan.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

Certain categories of individuals with an approved Canada entry permit may also be eligible for coverage. These include individuals with Student or Employment Permits, Temporary Resident Permits, and Visitor Records. There were 104,335 people covered under these conditions as of March 31, 2015.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

Under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, generally persons moving permanently to Alberta from another part of Canada are eligible for coverage on the first day of the third month following their arrival.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan provides coverage for eligible Alberta residents who temporarily leave Alberta for other parts of Canada. A person is considered temporarily absent from Alberta if the person stays in another province or territory for a period that will not exceed 12 consecutive months.

Individuals who are routinely absent from Alberta every year normally must spend a cumulative total of 183 days in a 12 month period in Alberta to maintain continuous coverage. Individuals not present in Alberta for the required 183 days may be considered residents of Alberta if they satisfy Alberta Health of their permanent and principal place of residence within the province. Individuals may also remain eligible for coverage if, on a recurring basis, they are absent from Alberta for up to 212 days in 12 month period for the purpose of vacation.

Alberta participates in the interprovincial hospital and medical reciprocal billing agreements. All provinces and territories except Quebec participate in medical reciprocal agreements. These agreements were established to minimize complex billing processes and to help ensure timely payments to physicians and hospitals when they provide services to residents from other provinces or territories. Under these agreements, where an eligible Albertan receives an insured physician service or hospital service in another participating province or territory, Alberta will reimburse for the insured service provided at the host province's or territory's rates for that insured service.

In 2014-2015, no amendments were made to the legislation regarding portability in Canada. More information on coverage during temporary absences outside Alberta is available at: Alberta Health - Health coverage outside of Alberta.

Section 16 of the Hospitalization Benefits Regulation addresses payment for hospital services obtained outside of Alberta but within Canada. Section 4 of the Medical Benefits Regulation addresses payment of physician services obtained outside of Alberta but within Canada. These sections were not amended in 2014-2015.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan provides coverage to eligible Alberta residents who are temporarily absent from Canada. A person is considered to be temporarily absent from Alberta if the person stays outside Canada for a period that will not exceed six consecutive months, and the person intends to return to and maintain permanent residence in Alberta on the conclusion of their stay outside Alberta.

Individuals who are routinely absent from Alberta every year normally must spend a cumulative total of 183 days in a 12 month period in Alberta to maintain continuous coverage. Individuals not present in Alberta for the required 183 days may be considered residents of Alberta if they satisfy Alberta Health of their permanent and principal place of residence within the province. Individuals may also remain eligible for coverage if, on a recurring basis, they are absent from Alberta for up to 212 days in 12 month period for the purpose of vacation.

Individuals leaving the province temporarily on extended vacations, or for temporary employment, may be eligible for coverage for 24 to 48 consecutive months. They should contact Alberta Health to enquire about their coverage. Students attending an accredited educational institute on a full-time basis are entitled to coverage for the duration of their studies.

The maximum amount payable for out-of-country in-patient hospital services is $100 (Canadian) per day (not including day of discharge). The maximum hospital out-patient visit rate is $50 (Canadian), with a limit of one visit per day. The only exception is haemodialysis received as an out-patient, which until March 31, 2015, was paid at a maximum of $423 per visit, with a limit of one visit per day. Effective April 1, 2015, the rate increased from $423 to $453 per visit. Physician and dental specialist/oral surgeon services are paid according to Alberta rates. Funding may also be available through the Out-of-Country Health Services Committee process that will evaluate reimbursement requests made by Alberta physicians or dentists for eligible Alberta residents for medically necessary services covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, and received in an emergency situation or that were not available in Canada. More information on coverage during temporary absences outside Canada is accessible at: Alberta Health - Health coverage outside of Alberta.

Section 16 of the Hospitalization Benefits Regulation addresses payment for hospital services obtained outside of Canada. Section 5 of the Medical Benefits Regulation addresses payment of physician services obtained outside Canada. These sections were not amended in 2014-2015.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

Prior approval is not required for elective insured services received in another Canadian province or territory, except for high-cost items not included in reciprocal agreements such as gamma knife surgery.

Prior application is required for elective services received out-of-country and approval may only be given through the Out-of-Country Health Services Committee for insured services that are medically required, are not experimental, and are not available in Alberta or elsewhere in Canada.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

The Ministries of Health and Infrastructure have the responsibilities for planning and management of the Health Facilities Capital Program and projects. The Ministry of Health is responsible for setting strategic directions and implementing health policy, legislation, standards and providing the global operating funding to Alberta Health Services (AHS) for the provision of provincial health services. Alberta Health Services identifies and prioritizes health service needs requiring capital development. The Government of Alberta supports health infrastructure by funding capital development and the infrastructure maintenance program. The Ministry of Infrastructure is responsible for the design, construction and delivery of major health capital projects throughout the province. The Ministry of Infrastructure is currently leading major health capital projects in High Prairie, Grande Prairie, Edson, Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Taber, Lethbridge and Raymond. Health legislation also stipulates the requirements for the purchase and disposition of assets and properties and the general provisions for health infrastructure. More information on capital plans is available at: Alberta Capital Plan - Fiscal Plan 2015-18.

5.2 Physician Compensation

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Act governs the payment of physicians. Physicians are compensated through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan on a volume-driven, fee-for-service basis or through the use of Alternative Relationship Plans (ARPs). ARPs are used by specialists and family physicians and offer alternative compensation models to the fee-for-service payment system. The goal of ARPs is to contribute to better health outcomes by supporting innovative health care delivery.

The purpose of ARPs is to enhance physician recruitment and retention, team-based approaches to service delivery, access to services, patient satisfaction, and value for money. ARPs provide predictable funding that enables physician groups to recruit new physicians to their programs and retain their services while in some cases additional funding is provided to support this service delivery approach. ARPs are unique in that they offer an alternative funding model to the way government has traditionally funded health care service delivery by physicians.

Alberta Health and the Alberta Medical Association entered into the Alberta Medical Association Agreement (AMAA) in 2013, which was retroactive to April 1, 2011. The financial terms of the AMAA establish set increases to the insured services rates for seven years (from 2011 to 2018), and Alberta Health and the Alberta Medical Association will negotiate new financial terms for April 1, 2018 onwards.

The Ministry also funds Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in which family physicians work with AHS to improve access to primary care and increase the availability of multi-disciplinary teams and chronic disease management. PCNs receive per-capita payments in order to enhance or add services, including funding other health care providers and offering programs. Each PCN decides how funds will be allocated based on alignment with PCN policy and approved business plans.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

The Regional Health Authorities Act governs the funding of Alberta's single regional health authority; AHS. The provision of insured health services by AHS is funded through a single base operating grant. Funding is provided for insured services delivered in hospitals and designated non-hospital surgical facilities.

Alberta's Health Care Protection Act governs the provision of insured and uninsured surgical services performed in public hospitals and in Non-Hospital Surgical Facilities (NHSFs.). Ministerial approval of a service agreement between the facility operator and AHS is required in order for the facility to provide insured surgical services. Ministerial designation of a NHSF and accreditation by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta is also required.

According to the Health Care Protection Act, Ministerial approval for a service agreement shall not be given unless:

• the insured surgical services are consistent with the principles of the Canada Health Act;
• there is a current and likely future need for the services in the geographical area;
• the proposed surgical services will not have an adverse impact on the province's publicly funded and publicly administered health system;
• there will be an expected benefit to the public;
• AHS has an acceptable business plan to pay for the services;
• the proposed agreement contains performance expectations and measures; and
• the physicians providing the services will comply with the conflict of interest and ethical requirements of the Health Professions Act and the bylaws of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.

Pursuant to the terms of any agreement as between AHS and a facility operator, AHS agrees to pay a contracted "facility fee." This fee covers such costs as some staff salaries and benefits, supplies, utilities, and other overhead costs. Physicians who provide insured surgical services to patients within an accredited NHSF are paid on a fee-for-service basis through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. These fees are the same regardless of whether the physician provides the insured service in a public hospital setting or in a NHSF.

6.0 Recognition Given to Federal Transfers

The Government of Alberta publicly acknowledged the federal contributions provided through the Canada Health Transfer in its 2014-2015 publications.

British Columbia

Introduction

British Columbia has a progressive and integrated health system that includes insured services funded under the Canada Health Act, services funded wholly or partially by the Government of British Columbia and services regulated, but not funded, by government. The Ministry of Health (the Ministry) has overall responsibility for ensuring that quality, appropriate, and timely health services are available to all British Columbians.

To read more about British Columbia's publicly funded health system, please refer to the Ministry of Health 2015/16 - 2017/18 Service Plan.

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

The Ministry sets goals, standards, and performance agreements for provincial health service delivery and works with the province's six health authorities to provide quality, appropriate, and timely health services to British Columbians. Five regional health authorities deliver a full continuum of health services to meet the needs of the population within their respective geographic regions. A sixth health authority, the Provincial Health Services Authority, is responsible for managing the quality, coordination, and accessibility of province-wide health programs and services. The Ministry also works in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority to improve the health status of First Nations in British Columbia.

Most insured services are covered by the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP), which is administered by the Ministry. MSP covers medically required services provided by physicians and supplementary healthcare practitioners, laboratory services, and diagnostic procedures. The Medicare Protection Act (MPA) is the enabling legislation for MSP. The purpose of the MPA is to preserve a publicly-managed and fiscally sustainable healthcare system for British Columbia, in which access to necessary medical care is based on need and not on an individual's ability to pay.

The Medical Services Commission (MSC) manages MSP on behalf of the Government of British Columbia in accordance with the MPA (section 3) and its Regulation. The function and mandate of the MSC is to facilitate reasonable access to quality medical care, healthcare, and diagnostic facility services for British Columbians.

The MSC is a nine-member statutory body made up of three representatives from the Government of British Columbia, three representatives from Doctors of BC (formerly the British Columbia Medical Association), and three members from the public jointly nominated by Doctors of BC and government.

General hospital services are insured in British Columbia; however, this is not covered by MSP. General hospital services are provided under the Hospital Insurance Act (section 8) and its Regulation; the Hospital Act (section 4); and the Hospital District Act (section 20).

1.2 Reporting Relationship

The Ministry provides information in the Annual Service Plan Report on the performance of British Columbia's publicly funded health system. Tracking and reporting this information is consistent with the Ministry's strategic approach to performance planning and reporting and is consistent with requirements contained in the provincial Budget Transparency and Accountability Act (2000).

The MSC is accountable to the Government of British Columbia through the Minister of Health (the Minister); a report is published annually for the prior fiscal year which provides an annual accounting of the business of the MSC, its subcommittees, and other delegated bodies. This report is available at Government of British Columbia - Publications

1.3 Audit of Accounts

The Ministry is subject to audit of accounts and financial transactions through:

• Internal Audit and Advisory Services (IAAS); the government's internal auditor. IAAS determines the scope of the internal audits and timing of the audits. IAAS reports can be located on British Columbia Ministry of Finance - Corporate Audit Plan Reports.
• The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) of British Columbia is responsible for conducting annual audits as well as special audits and reports. The OAG reports its findings to the Legislative Assembly. The OAG initiates its own audits and determines the scope of its audits. The Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts of the Legislative Assembly reviews the recommendations of the OAG.

The OAG's annual audit of the Ministry's accounts and financial transactions are reflected in the OAG's overall review and opinion related to the BC Public Accounts, which can be found at British Columbia Ministry of Finance - Public Accounts for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015.

The OAG's special audits and reports can be located at Auditor General of British Columbia - Publications.

1.4 Designated Agency

Since 2005, the Ministry has contracted with MAXIMUS Canada to deliver the operations of MSP and PharmaCare (including responding to public inquiries, registering clients, and processing medical and pharmaceutical claims from health professionals). MAXIMUS Canada administers the province's medical and drug insurance plans under the Health Insurance BC (HIBC) program. Policy and decision-making functions remain with the Ministry.

HIBC submits monthly reports to the Ministry, reporting performance on service levels to the public and healthcare providers. HIBC also posts reports on its website on the performance of key service levels. These reports are available at Government of British Columbia - Health Insurance BC.

HIBC processes payments against fee items approved by the Ministry. The Ministry approves all payments before they are released.

MSP requires premiums to be paid by eligible residents. Revenue Services of British Columbia (RSBC) performs revenue management services, including account management, billing, remittance, and collection on behalf of the Province of British Columbia (Ministry of Finance). The province remains responsible for and retains control of all government administered collection actions.

RSBC is required to comply with all applicable laws, including the:

• Ombudsman Act;
• Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act; and
• Financial Administration Act.
• Freedom of Information Legislation (i.e., Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, including FOIPPA Inspections; the Personal Information Protection Act and the equivalent federal legislation, if applicable).

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

The Hospital Act and Hospital Act Regulation provide authority for the Minister to designate facilities as hospitals, to license private residential care hospitals, to approve the bylaws of hospitals, to inspect hospitals, and to appoint a public administrator. This legislation also establishes broad parameters for the operation of hospitals.

The Hospital Insurance Act and the Hospital Insurance Act Regulations provide the authority for the Minister to make payments to health authorities for the purpose of operating hospitals, outlines who is entitled to receive insured services, and defines the "general hospital services" which are to be provided as benefits.

Hospital services are insured when they are provided to a beneficiary in a publicly funded hospital, and are deemed medically required by the attending physician, midwife, nurse practitioner, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon. There is no scheduled or regular process to review insured hospital services as the insured services included in the regulations are intended to be inclusive. Uninsured services are referred to in section 2.4 of this report.

When medically required, the following are provided to beneficiaries who are in-patients in an acute or rehabilitation hospital:

• accommodation and meals at the standard level;
• necessary nursing service;
• drugs, biologicals, and related preparations which are required by the patient and administered in hospital;
• laboratory and radiological procedures and related interpretations;
• diagnostic procedures and the necessary interpretations, as approved by the Minister;
• use of operating rooms, caserooms, anaesthetic facilities, routine surgical supplies, and other necessary equipment and supplies;
• use of radiotherapy facilities;
• use of physiotherapy facilities;
• services of a social worker;
• other rehabilitation services, including occupational and speech therapy; and
• other required services approved by the Minister, provided by persons who receive remuneration from the hospital.

When medically required, the following are provided as benefits under the Hospital Insurance Act or the Medicare Protection Act (MPA) to out-patients who are beneficiaries:

• emergency department services;
• diagnostic services (e.g., laboratory or radiological procedures);
• use of operating room facilities;
• equipment and supplies used in medically necessary services provided to the beneficiary, including anaesthetics, sterile supplies, dressings, casts, splints, immobilizers, and bandages;
• meals required during diagnosis and treatment;
• drugs and medications administered in a medically necessary service provided to the beneficiary; and
• any service provided by an employee of the hospital that is approved by the Minister.

The services are provided to beneficiaries without charge, with a few exceptions. Exceptions include: incremental charges for preferred (but not medically required) medical/surgical supplies and nonstandard accommodation (when not medically required and standard accommodation is available), and daily fees for residential care patients in extended care or general hospitals.

Some facilities providing residential care services (in this case, the term "extended care" is often used) are regulated under the Hospital Act. Health authorities and hospital societies are required to follow Home and Community Care policies to determine benefits in such cases.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

The range of insured physician services covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) includes all medically necessary diagnostic and treatment services. Insured physician services are provided under the MPA. Section 13 provides that practitioners, including physicians and healthcare professionals such as midwives, who are enrolled with MSP and who render benefits to a beneficiary, are eligible to be paid for services rendered in accordance with the appropriate payment schedule.

Unless specifically excluded, the following medical services are insured as MSP benefits under the MPA in accordance with the Canada Health Act:

• medically required services provided to beneficiaries (residents of British Columbia who are enrolled in MSP in accordance with section 7 of the MPA) by a physician enrolled with MSP; and
• medically required services performed in an approved diagnostic facility under the supervision of an enrolled physician.

To practice in British Columbia, physicians must be registered and in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. To receive payment for insured services, they must be enrolled with MSP. In the fiscal year 2014-2015, 10,411 physicians were enrolled with MSP and received payments through fee-for-service (FFS). In addition, some physicians practice solely on salary, receive sessional payments, or are on contract (service agreements) with the health authorities. Physicians paid by these alternative mechanisms may also practice on a FFS basis.

Practitioners other than physicians and dentists who may enroll and provide benefits under MSP include midwives, optometrists and supplementary benefit practitioners. The Supplementary Benefits Program assists premium assistance beneficiaries (see section 3.3 of this report) to access the following services: acupuncture, massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, naturopathy, and podiatry (non-surgical services). The program contributes $23.00 towards the cost of each patient visit to a maximum of ten visits per patient per annum summed across the six types of providers.

Physicians enrolled in MSP may choose to be opted-in or opted-out. Opted-in physicians are physicians who are enrolled in MSP under section 13 of the MPA and who elect to bill MSP directly for insured services provided to MSP beneficiaries. An opted-in physician may not bill a patient directly for an insured benefit. Opted-out physicians are physicians who are enrolled in MSP under section 13 of the MPA and who elect to opt out and bill patients directly for insured benefits. Physicians wishing to opt out of MSP must give written notice to the Medical Services Commission (MSC). In this case, patients may apply to MSP for reimbursement of the fee for insured services rendered. By law, an opted-out physician may not charge a patient more for an insured benefit than the prescribed MSP amount. In 2014-2015, MSP had two opted-out physicians. Based on reclassification of information and corresponding data, British Columbia does not track non-participating physicians.

Under the Physician Master Agreement between the government, the MSC and Doctors of BC, modifications to the Payment Schedule such as additions, deletions or fee changes are made by the MSC upon advice from Doctors of BC or the government. To modify the payment schedule, parties must submit proposals to the Doctors of BC Tariff Committee. On recommendation of the Tariff Committee, interim listings may be designated by the MSC for new procedures or other services for a limited period of time while definitive listings are established.

During fiscal year 2014-2015, 37 physician services were added as MSP insured benefits to reflect current practice standards including, for example, the introduction of peritonectomy with or without chemotherapy.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

In certain circumstances, in-patient or out-patient hospitalization is medically required for the safe and proper completion of surgical-dental services. In such cases, the surgical-dental component is covered if the service is listed in the Dental Payment Schedule and the hospitalization component is funded by the health authority.

Included as insured surgical-dental procedures are those related to remedying a disorder of the oral cavity or a functional component of mastication. Generally this would include oral surgery related to trauma, orthognathic surgery, medically required extractions, and surgical treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Additions or changes to the list of insured services are managed by MSP on the advice of the Dental Liaison Committee. Additions and changes must be approved by the MSC.

Any general dental and/or oral surgeon who is in good standing with the College of Dental Surgeons, is enrolled in MSP, and has hospital privileges, may provide insured surgical-dental services in hospital. There were 214 dentists enrolled with MSP in 2014-2015 (includes only paediatric dentists, oral surgeons, dental surgeons, oral medicine, and orthodontist billing through FFS).

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Medical necessity, as determined by the attending physician, midwife, nurse practitioner, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon and hospital, is the criterion for public funding of available hospital and medical services.

In-patient and out-patient take-home drugs and any drugs not clinically approved by the hospital are excluded from coverage.

Procedures not insured under the Hospital Insurance Act and its regulations include: services of medical personnel not employed or contracted by the hospital; treatment for which WorkSafeBC, the Department of Veterans Affairs or any other agency is responsible; services or treatment that the Minister (or a person designated by the Minister) determines, on a review of the medical evidence, that the beneficiary does not require; and excluded illnesses or conditions (i.e. in vitro fertilization, cosmetic service solely for the alteration of appearance; and reversal of previous sterilization procedures except when sterilization was originally caused by trauma). Uninsured hospital services also include: preferred accommodation at the patient's request when not medically required; preferred medical/surgical supplies/devices; televisions, telephones, and private nursing services; and dental care that could safely be provided in a dental office including prosthetic and orthodontic services. Health authorities are required by Ministry policy to fund medically necessary transfers between acute care hospitals within British Columbia, but patients are required to pay a user fee to partially offset costs when an ambulance or contracted alternative service provider is used for transport in other situations.

Services not insured under MSP include: those covered by the Workers' Compensation Act or by other federal or provincial legislation; provision of non-implanted prostheses; orthotic devices; proprietary or patent medicines; any medical examinations that are not medically required; oral surgery rendered in a dentist's office; telephone advice unrelated to insured visits; reversal of sterilization procedures; in vitro fertilization; medico-legal services; and most cosmetic surgeries.

The MPA (section 45) prohibits the sale or issuance of health insurance by private insurers to patients for services that would be an insured benefit. Section 17 prohibits persons from being charged for a benefit or for "materials, consultations, procedures, and use of an office, clinic or other place or for any other matters that relate to the rendering of a benefit."

The Ministry responds to complaints made by patients and takes appropriate actions to correct situations identified to the Ministry. The MSC determines which services are benefits and has the authority to de-insure insured services. Proposals to de-insure services must be made to the MSC. Consultation may take place through a sub-committee of the MSC and usually includes a review by Doctors of BC's Tariff Committee. In 2013-2014, nine fee items from the Section of Laboratory Medicine were removed from the Fee Schedule; each of the items was related to drugs of abuse testing and was found to be redundant or obsolete.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

Section 7 of the Medicare Protection Act (MPA) defines the eligibility and enrolment of beneficiaries for insured services. Under the MPA, Part 2 of the Medical and Health Care Services Regulation details residency requirements. A person must be a resident of British Columbia to qualify for provincial healthcare benefits.

Section 1 of the MPA defines a resident as a person who:

• is a citizen of Canada or is lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence;
• makes his or her home in British Columbia, and is physically present in British Columbia for at least six months in a calendar year, or for a prescribed shorter period of time; and
• is deemed under the regulations to be a resident (does not include a tourist or visitor to British Columbia).

Certain other individuals, such as some holders of permits issued under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act are deemed to be residents (see section 3.2 of this report), but this does not include a tourist or visitor to British Columbia.

In 2014-2015, the Medical and Health Care Services Regulation was amended to clarify the terms upon which a resident of British Columbia may be absent from the province due to vacation or work and remain a beneficiary who qualifies for healthcare benefits.

New residents or persons re-establishing residence in British Columbia must be physically present in British Columbia for at least six months prior to being absent for more than six months. If absences exceed six months prior to the individual being physically present for at least six months, residence is not established and medical coverage is canceled as of the initial enrolment date.

All residents are entitled to hospital and medical care insurance coverage. Those residents who are members of the Canadian Forces and those serving a term of imprisonment in a penitentiary as defined in the Penitentiary Act, are eligible for federally funded health insurance. The Medical Services Plan (MSP) provides first-day coverage to discharged members of the Canadian Forces and to those returning from an overseas tour of duty, as well as to released inmates of federal penitentiaries.

The number of residents registered with MSP as of March 31, 2015 was 4,672,899.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

Some holders of Minister's Permits, Temporary Resident Permits, study permits, work permits and applicants for permanent resident status who are the spouse or child of an eligible resident may be eligible for benefits when deemed to be residents under the MPA and section 2 of the Medical and Health Care Services Regulation.

3.3 Premiums

The enabling legislation is:

• Medicare Protection Act, Part 2 - Beneficiaries section 8; and
• Medical and Health Care Services Regulation, Part 3 - Premiums.

Enrolment in MSP is mandatory and payment of premiums is ordinarily a requirement for coverage. However, failure to pay premiums is not a barrier to coverage for those who meet the basic enrolment eligibility criteria. Monthly premiums for MSP since January 1, 2015, are $72.00 for one person, $130.50 for a family of two, and $144.00 for a family of three or more.

MSP has two programs that offer assistance with the payment of premiums based on financial need. Regular premium assistance has five levels of assistance and is based on a person's net income for the preceding tax year, combined with that of the person's spouse, if applicable, less MSP deductions. In 2014-2015, amendments to Part 3 of the Medical and Health Care Services Regulation changed provisions specifying the calculation of income for determining eligibility for premium assistance. New provisions address the application of premium assistance for beneficiaries "in care" at institutions designated as hospitals or nursing homes licensed as private hospitals, and those in receipt of long-term care at a licensed community care facility, and for beneficiaries whose spouse is in care.

A short term, 100 percent subsidy is offered under the temporary premium assistance program based on current, unexpected financial hardship. Premium assistance is available only to beneficiaries who, for the last 12 consecutive months, have resided in Canada and are either a Canadian citizen or a holder of permanent resident (landed immigrant) status under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

New residents or persons re-establishing residence in British Columbia are eligible for coverage after completing a waiting period that normally consists of the balance of the month residence is established plus two additional months. For example, if an eligible person arrives during the month of July, coverage is available October 1. If absences from Canada exceed a total of 30 days during the waiting period, eligibility for coverage may be affected. New residents from other parts of Canada are advised to maintain coverage with their former medical plan during the waiting period.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Medical and Health Care Services Regulation define portability provisions for persons temporarily absent from British Columbia with regard to insured services.

Residents who spend part of every year outside British Columbia must be physically present in Canada at least six months in a calendar year and continue to maintain their home in British Columbia in order to retain coverage. As of January 1, 2013, longer term vacationers who are deemed residents may qualify for a total absence of up to seven months per calendar year for vacation purposes only, provided they continue to maintain their home in British Columbia.

Individuals leaving the province temporarily on extended vacations, or for temporary employment, may be eligible to retain their medical coverage for up to 24 consecutive months provided that they are physically present in BC for six of the 12 months immediately preceding departure. Approval is limited to once in five years for absences exceeding six months in a calendar year. When a beneficiary stays outside British Columbia longer than the approved period, they will be required to fulfill a waiting period upon re-establishing residence in the province before coverage can be renewed. Students attending a recognized school in another province or territory on a full-time basis are entitled to coverage for the duration of their studies, provided that they return to BC permanently by the last day of the month following the month in which their studies end.

According to inter-provincial/territorial reciprocal billing arrangements, physicians, except in Quebec, bill their own medical plans directly for services rendered to British Columbia residents who are eligible for the Medical Services Plan (MSP), upon presentation of a valid CareCard or BC Services Card. British Columbia then reimburses the province or territory at the rate of the fee schedule in the province or territory in which services were rendered. For in-patient hospital care, services are paid at the ward rate approved for each hospital by the Assistant Deputy Ministers Policy Advisory Committee. For out-patient services, the payment is at the inter-provincial/territorial reciprocal billing rate. Payment for these services, except for excluded services that are billed to the patient, is handled through inter-provincial/territorial reciprocal billing procedures.

Quebec does not participate in reciprocal billing agreements for physician services. As a result, claims for services provided to British Columbia beneficiaries by Quebec physicians must be handled individually. When travelling in Quebec (or outside of Canada) the beneficiary is usually required to pay for medical services and seek reimbursement later from MSP.

British Columbia pays host provincial rates for insured services according to rates established by the Interprovincial Health Insurance Agreements Coordinating Committee.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

The legislation that defines portability of health insurance during temporary absences outside Canada is stated in the Hospital Insurance Act, section 24; the Hospital Insurance Act Regulations, Division 6; the Medicare Protection Act, section 51; and the Medical and Health Care Service Regulation, sections 3, 4, and 5.

Residents who leave British Columbia temporarily to attend school or university are eligible for MSP coverage for the duration of their studies provided they were physically present in Canada for six of the 12 months immediately preceding departure, and are in full-time attendance at a recognized educational facility. Beneficiaries who have been studying outside British Columbia must return to the province by the end of the month following the month in which studies are completed. Any student who will not return to British Columbia within that timeframe should contact MSP.

Residents who spend part of every year outside British Columbia must be physically present in Canada at least six months in a calendar year and continue to maintain their home in British Columbia in order to retain coverage. As of January 1, 2013, longer term vacationers who are deemed residents may qualify for a total absence of up to seven months per calendar year for vacation purposes.

In some circumstances, while temporarily outside the province for work or vacation, an individual may be deemed an eligible resident during an 'extended absence' of up to 24 consecutive months once in a five-year period. To qualify, he or she must continue to maintain their home in British Columbia, be physically present in Canada for six of the 12 months immediately preceding departure and have not been granted an extended absence in the previous five calendar years. In addition, they must not have taken advantage of the additional one month absence available to vacationers during the year the extended absence begins, or during the calendar year prior to the start of the extended absence. In certain situations, if a person's employment requires them to routinely travel outside of British Columbia for more than six months per calendar year, they can apply to the Medical Services Commission (MSC) for approval to maintain their eligibility.

British Columbia residents who are temporarily absent from British Columbia and cannot return due to extenuating health circumstances may be deemed residents for up to an additional 12 months if they are visiting in Canada or abroad. This also applies to the person's spouse and children provided they are with the person and they are also residents or deemed residents.

British Columbia residents who are eligible for coverage while temporarily absent from British Columbia may receive reimbursement from MSP for out-of-country medical expenses. MSP provides coverage for out-of-country emergency physician services up to the B.C. physician fee rates. Reimbursement for out-of-country emergency hospital services is limited to a maximum benefit of $75.00 per day. Any excess cost is the responsibility of the beneficiary. All reimbursement is made in Canadian dollars.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

No prior approval is required for medically required procedures that are covered under interprovincial reciprocal agreements with other provinces. Prior approval from the MSC is required for procedures that are excluded under the reciprocal agreements.

The physician services excluded under the Interprovincial Agreements for the Reciprocal Processing of Out-of-Province Medical Claims are: surgery for alteration of appearance (cosmetic surgery); gender reassignment surgery; surgery for reversal of sterilization; routine periodic health examinations including routine eye examinations; in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination; acupuncture, acupressure, transcutaneous electro-nerve stimulation, moxibustion, biofeedback, hypnotherapy; services to persons covered by other agencies (e.g., Canadian Armed Forces, Workers' Compensation Board, Department of Veterans Affairs, Correctional Services of Canada); services requested by a third party; team conferences; genetic screening and other genetic investigation, including DNA probes; procedures still in the experimental/developmental phase; and anaesthetic services and surgical assistant services associated with all of the foregoing.

The services on this list may or may not be reimbursed by the home province. The patient should make inquiries of that home province either before receiving treatment by a British Columbia physician or after direct payment to the British Columbia physician. Some treatments (e.g., treatment services in not-for-profit residential facilities) may require the recommendation of the Ministry of Health.

All non-emergency procedures performed outside Canada require approval from the MSC before the procedure.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

Beneficiaries in British Columbia, as defined in section 1 of the Medicare Protection Act (MPA), are eligible for all insured hospital and medical care services as required. To ensure equal access to all, regardless of income, the MPA, sections 17 and 18, prohibits extra-billing by enrolled practitioners.

Access to insured services continues to be enhanced:

• The Alternative Payments Program funds regional health authorities to contract with or hire general practitioners (GPs) and/or specialists in order to deliver insured clinical services.
• The Full-Service Family Practice Incentive Program continues to be expanded as the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) and physicians continue to work together to develop incentives aimed at helping to support and sustain full-service family practice.
• The Ministry provides funding through the Medical On-Call Availability Program to health authorities to enable them to contract with groups of physicians to provide "on-call" coverage necessary for hospitals to deliver emergency healthcare services to unassigned patients in a reliable, effective, and efficient manner.
• The Ministry continued and implemented several programs under the 2012 Rural Practice Subsidiary Agreement, which were continued in the Physician Master Agreement (PMA) to enhance the availability and stability of physician services in smaller urban, rural, and remote areas of British Columbia. An outline of these programs can be obtained at: Government of British Columbia - Physician Compensation

Infrastructure and Capital Planning

British Columbia continues to make strategic investments in health sector capital infrastructure. The Ministry invests annually to renew and extend the asset life of existing health facilities, medical and diagnostic equipment, and information management technology at numerous health facilities across British Columbia. The Ministry has developed a ten-year capital plan to ensure health infrastructure is maintained and renewed within expected asset lifecycle timelines.

5.2 Physician Compensation

The PMA is a formal agreement signed by the Government of British Columbia, BC Medical Association (the Doctors of BC), and the Medical Services Commission (MSC). In December 2014, doctors in British Columbia voted in favour of a new agreement with government. The new five-year agreement (term April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2019) supports ongoing efforts to recruit and retain physicians while also improving access to specialists and care in rural and remote communities.

The PMA gives the Doctors of BC exclusive right to represent the interests of all physicians who receive payment for the medical services they provide to persons insured through MSP. The PMA establishes mechanisms which promote enhanced collaboration and accountabilities between the province and Doctors of BC through various joint committees. It also provides a formal conflict management process at both the local and provincial levels and language limiting physician service withdrawals. The role of health authorities in the planning and delivery of healthcare services are reinforced in the PMA.

The PMA establishes the compensation and benefit structure for physicians who provide publicly funded medical services whether on fee-for-service or alternate funding methods (service contracts, salaries, and sessional arrangements). Through the PMA, the province also provides targeted financial support for areas such as: rural physician incentive programs; access to specialist services; supporting full service family practices; and shared care models involving GPs, specialists, and other healthcare professions.

Physicians are licensed under the Health Professions Act, with their Payment Schedule established under section 26 of the MPA. The agreement provides processes for monitoring and managing the funding established by the MSC under section 25 of the MPA for insured medical services provided by physicians on a fee-for-service basis. Mechanisms for revisions to the Payment Schedule and for the payment of physicians are detailed in the PMA.

Dentists are licensed under the Health Professions Act. The province and the British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA) have entered into a Dentistry Master Agreement for the period April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2019 that covers the following services: dental surgery; oral surgery; orthodontic services; oral medicine; pediatric dental services; and dental technical procedures. Both the province and the BCDA meet through a Dentistry Liaison Committee for the duration of the agreement.

Compensation Methods for Physicians and Dentists

Payment for medical services delivered in the province is made through MSP to individual physicians, based on submitted claims, and through the Alternative Payment Program to health authorities for physician time spent providing services to patients. The government funds health authorities to enter into alternative payment arrangements with other physicians; it does not pay physicians directly. In British Columbia, MSP only pays for medically required dental services and medically required dental surgical services performed in a hospital.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

Funding for insured hospital services are included within annual funding allocations to health authorities, as well as specifically targeted funding from time to time. This funding allocation is used to fund the full range of necessary health services for the population of the region (or for specific provincial services, for the population of British Columbia), including the provision of hospital services. Annual funding allocations to health authorities are determined as part of the Ministry's annual budget process in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury Board. The final funding amount is conveyed to health authorities by means of an annual funding letter.

The Hospital Insurance Act and its related regulations and the Health Authorities Act govern payments made by government to health authorities. These statutes establish the authority of the Minister of Health to make payments to regional health authorities, the Provincial Health Services Authority and the Nisga'a Nation; and specifies in broad terms what services are insured when provided within a hospital and in delivering regional healthcare services.

The British Columbia Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance and other negotiated agreements, provide the basis for the Ministry of Health to provide funding to the First Nations Health Authority.

The Ministry does not specifically fund hospitals directly; instead health authorities are funded and provide operating budgets to hospitals within their control to deliver specified services. The exception to this is when funding provided to health authorities (again not directly to hospitals) is targeted for specific priority projects (e.g., reduction in wait times for specific procedures). Since it is specifically targeted, it must be reported on separately.

Incremental funding is allocated to health authorities using the Ministry's Population Needs-Based Funding Formula and other funding allocation methodologies (e.g., to reflect targeted funding allocations directed to specific health authorities). The annual funding allocation to health authorities does not include funding for programs directly operated by the Ministry, such as payments to physicians through the Medical Services Plan and payments for prescription drugs covered under PharmaCare. In 2014-2015, the Ministry continued to examine alternative funding methodologies including the use of pay-for-performance and activity-based funding.

The accountability mechanisms associated with government funding for hospitals is part of several comprehensive documents which set expectations for health authorities. These are the annual funding letter, annual service plans, and annual Government Letters of Expectations. Taken together, these documents convey the Ministry's broad expectations for health authorities and explain how performance will be monitored in relation to these expectations.

6.0 Recognition Given to Federal Transfers

Funding provided by the federal government through the Canada Health Transfer is recognized and reported by the Government of British Columbia through various government websites and provincial government documents. In 2014-2015, these documents included:

• Estimates, Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2015
• Budget and Fiscal Plan 2014-2015 to 2016-2017
• Public Accounts 2014-2015

Yukon

Introduction

The Yukon Health Care System is committed to ensuring that residents of the Yukon acquire the skills to live responsible, healthy and independent lives. The Minister of Health and Social Services is responsible for delivering all insured health care services with service delivery administered centrally by the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). The overall objective of the DHSS is to ensure access to, and portability of, insured physician and hospital services according to the provisions of the Health Care Insurance Plan Act and the Hospital Insurance Services Act.

Additionally, extended health benefits provided to eligible Yukon residents include the Travel for Medical Treatment Program; the Children's Drug and Optical Program; the Chronic Disease and Disability Benefits Program; and the Pharmacare and Extended Benefits Programs. Other health service programs administered by DHSS include Community Health; Community Nursing; Continuing Care; and Mental Health Services. Currently, most communities in Yukon contain Community Health Centres, where residents have access to a team of health care professionals with diverse skills.

The Yukon Hospital Corporation operates the three hospitals in the territory: Whitehorse General Hospital, Watson Lake Community Hospital and Dawson City Community Hospital. In January 2015, a temporary facility at the Whitehorse General Hospital (WGH) opened which houses Canada's first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) program north of 60. In addition, in 2014-2015 construction was started at WGH to expand the Emergency Department and provide expansion of the Radiology Department along with providing a permanent location for the MRI program.

The Yukon Government continues to utilize teleradiology and telehealth services to improve health care services for Yukoners living in more rural communities. Further, Nurse Practitioner (NP) legislation that was enacted in December 2012, has allowed the Yukon Registered Nurses Association to license five NPs in Yukon to expand health care options for patients, and improve the quality and access of collaborative primary care. Currently there are four NPs delivering services in Whitehorse.

In 2014-2015, Insured Health and Hearing Services (IHS) contracted with a Nurse Practitioner to open a Women's Midlife Health Clinic and a Reproductive Health Clinic. IHS also hired a Nurse Practitioner to work at the Referred Care Clinic in Whitehorse in September 2014.

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

The Government of Yukon delivers insured health benefits according to the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (YHCIP) and the Yukon Hospital Insurance Services Plan (YHISP). Both the YHCIP and YHISP are administered by the Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services. This position is a joint appointment by the Minister of Health and Social Services and the Commissioner of the Yukon Territory.

The Health Care Insurance Plan Act, section 3(2) and section 4, establishes the public authority to operate the health care plan. There were no amendments made to these sections of the Act in 2014-2015.

The Hospital Insurance Services Act, section 3(1) and section 5, establishes the public authority to operate the hospital care plan. There were no amendments made to these sections of the Act in 2014-2015.

Subject to the Health Care Insurance Plan Act (section 5), the Hospital Insurance Services Act (section 6) and the regulations, it is the responsibility of the Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services to:

• administer both plans;
• determine eligibility for insured health services;
• establish advisory committees and appoint individuals to advise or assist in the operation of the plans;
• determine the amounts payable for insured health services outside the Yukon;
• conduct surveys and research programs, and obtain statistics for such purposes;
• appoint inspectors and auditors to examine and obtain information from medical records, reports, and accounts; and
• perform any other functions and discharge any other duties assigned by the Minister of Health and Social Services under the Act.

Specific to the Hospital Insurance Services Act, the Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services has the responsibility to:

• enter into agreements on behalf of the Government of Yukon with hospitals in or outside of Yukon, or with the Government of Canada or any province or an appropriate agency thereof, for the provision of insured services to insured persons;
• prescribe the forms and records necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act; and
• perform any other functions and discharge any other duties assigned to the administrator by the Regulations.

There were no amendments to either Act in 2014-2015.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

The Department of Health and Social Services is accountable to the Legislative Assembly and the Government of Yukon through the Minister.

Section 6 of the Health Care Insurance Plan Act and section 7 of the Hospital Insurance Services Act require that the Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services make an annual report to the Minister of Health and Social Services respecting the administration of the two health insurance plans. A Statement of Revenue and Expenditures is tabled in the legislature and is subject to discussion at that level. The Statement of Revenue and Expenditures will be tabled in the fall 2015 sitting of the Yukon legislature.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

The Health Care Insurance Plan and the Hospital Insurance Services Plan are subject to audit by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. The Auditor General of Canada is the Auditor of the Government of Yukon in accordance with section 34 of the Yukon Act (Canada). The Auditor General is required to conduct an annual audit of the transactions and consolidated financial statements of the Government of Yukon. Further, the Auditor General of Canada is to report to the Yukon Legislative Assembly any matter falling within the scope of the audit that, in his or her opinion, should be reported to the Assembly.

In 2013, the Office of the Auditor General of Canada released the 2013 Report of the Auditor General of Canada, Capital Projects - Yukon Hospital Corporation. There were no reports related to the Department of Health and Social Services released in 2014-2015.

Further, section 13(2) of the Hospital Act requires the Yukon Hospital Corporation to submit a report of their operations for that fiscal year to the Minister within six months after the end of each fiscal year. The report is to include the financial statements of the Corporation and the Auditor's report.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

The Hospital Insurance Services Act, sections 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9, establish authority to provide insured hospital services to insured residents. The Yukon Hospital Insurance Services Ordinance was first passed in 1960 and came into effect April 9, 1960. No amendments were made to the Act in 2014-2015.

Adopted on December 7, 1989, the Hospital Act establishes the responsibility of the legislature and the government to ensure "compliance with appropriate methods of operation and standards of facilities and care." Adopted on November 11, 1994, the annexed Hospital Standards Regulation sets out the conditions under which all hospitals in the territory are to operate. Section 4(1) provides for the Ministerial appointment of one or more investigators to report on the management and administration of a hospital. Section 4(2) requires that the hospital's Board of Trustees establish and maintain a quality assurance program.

In April 1997, the Yukon Government assumed responsibility for operating health centres in rural Yukon communities from the federal government. These facilities operate in compliance with the adopted Medical Services Branch Scope of Practice for Community Health Nurses, Nursing Station Facility, Health Centre Treatment Facility and the Community Health Nurse Scope of Practice. The General Duty Nurse Scope of Practice was completed and implemented in February 2002.

In 2014-2015, insured in-patient and out-patient hospital services were delivered in 14 facilities throughout the territory. These facilities include Whitehorse General Hospital, Watson Lake Community Hospital, Dawson City Community Hospital and 11 primary health care centres.

The Yukon Hospital Corporation completed their accreditation process in May 2014 as part of a four-year cycle through Accreditation Canada. Whitehorse General Hospital and Watson Lake Community Hospital took part in this process, while Dawson City Community Hospital will take part in the next process in 2018.

Pursuant to the Hospital Insurance Services Regulations, section 2(e) and (f), services provided in an approved hospital are insured. Section 2(e) defines in-patient insured services as all of the following services to in-patients, namely: accommodation and meals at the standard or public ward level; necessary nursing service; laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures together with the necessary interpretations for the purpose of maintaining health, preventing disease and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of an injury, illness or disability; drugs, biologicals and related preparations as provided in Schedule B of the Regulations, when administered in the hospital; use of operating room, case room and anaesthetic facilities, including necessary equipment and supplies; routine surgical supplies; use of radiotherapy facilities where available; use of physiotherapy facilities where available; and services rendered by persons who receive remuneration therefor from the hospital.

Section 2(f) of the regulations defines "out-patient insured services" as all of the following services to out-patients, when used for emergency diagnosis or treatment within 24 hours of an accident (period may be extended by the Administrator, provided the service could not be obtained within 24 hours of the accident): necessary nursing service; laboratory, radiological and other procedures, together with the necessary interpretations for the purpose of assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of an injury; drugs, biologicals and related preparations as provided in Schedule B, when administered in a hospital; use of operating room and anaesthetic facilities, including necessary equipment and supplies; routine surgical supplies; services rendered by persons who receive remuneration therefor from the hospital; use of radiotherapy facilities where available; and use of physiotherapy facilities where available.

Pursuant to the Hospital Insurance Services Regulations, all in-patient and out-patient services provided in an approved hospital, by hospital employees, are insured services. Standard nursing care, pharmaceuticals, supplies, diagnostic and operating services are provided. Any new programs or enhancements with significant funding implications or reductions to services or programs require the prior approval of the Minister, Health and Social Services. This process is managed by the Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services. Public representation regarding changes in service levels is made through membership on the hospital board.

Yukon remains committed to the administration of the Weight Wise program in Whitehorse. In previous years, clients were sent to Alberta to participate in the program. With the help of Alberta Health Services, a local physician and a local registered nurse have been trained in delivering the program in-territory. The first intake of clients began in the fall of 2010. The Whitehorse General Hospital opened the first MRI in northern Canada on January 13, 2015. Whitehorse General Hospital also began construction on a permanent location for the MRI along with an expansion of the Emergency Room Department in 2014-2015.

These measures will help reduce Yukon's reliance on out-of-territory services.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

Insured physician services in Yukon are defined as medically required services rendered by a medical practitioner. Sections 1 to 8 of the Health Care Insurance Plan Act and sections 2, 3, 7, 10 and 13 of the Health Care Insurance Plan Regulations provide for insured physician services. No amendments were made to the Act in 2014-2015.

The Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan covers physicians providing medically required services. In order to participate in the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan, physicians must:

• register for licensure pursuant to the Health Professions Act; and
• maintain licensure, pursuant to the Health Professions Act.

The number of resident physicians participating in the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan in 2014-2015 was 70, along with 36 locums and 45 visiting specialists.

Section 7 of the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan Regulations covers payment for medical services. Subsection 4 allows physicians to make arrangements for payment for insured services on a basis other than fee-for-service. Notice in writing of this election must be submitted to the Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services. In 2014-2015, there were physicians both on fee-for-service and alternate payment arrangements for remuneration.

The process used to add a new fee to the Payment Schedule for Yukon is administered through a committee structure. This process requires physicians to submit requests in writing to the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan, Yukon Medical Association Liaison Committee. Following review by this committee, a decision is made to include or exclude the service. The relevant costs or fees are normally set in accordance with similar costs or fees in other jurisdictions. Once a fee-for-service value has been determined, notification of the service and the applicable fee is provided to all Yukon physicians. Public consultation is not required.

Alternatively, new fees can be implemented as a result of the fee negotiation process between the Yukon Medical Association and the Department of Health and Social Services. The Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services manages this process and no public consultation is required.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

Dentists providing insured surgical-dental services under the health care insurance plan of Yukon must be licensed pursuant to the Dental Professions Act and are given billing numbers to bill the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan for providing insured dental services. The Plan is also billed directly for services provided outside the territory.

Insured dental services are limited to those surgical-dental procedures listed in Schedule B of the Health Care Insurance Plan Regulations. The procedures must be performed in a hospital.

The addition or deletion of new surgical-dental services to the list of insured services requires amendment by Order-in-Council to Schedule B of the Health Care Insurance Plan Regulations. Coverage decisions are made on the basis of whether or not the service must be provided in hospital under general anaesthesia. The Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services administers this process.

There were no new insured surgical-dental services added in 2014-2015.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Only services prescribed by and rendered in accordance with the Health Care Insurance Plan Act and Regulations and the Hospital Insurance Services Act and Regulations are insured. All other services are uninsured.

Uninsured hospital services include: non-resident hospital stays; special or private nurses requested by the patient or family; additional charges for preferred accommodation unless prescribed by a physician; crutches and other such appliances; nursing home charges; televisions; telephones; and drugs and biologicals following discharge. (These services are not provided by the hospital).

Section 3 of the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan Regulations contains a list of services that are prescribed as non-insured. Uninsured physician services include: advice by telephone; medical-legal services; testimony in court; preparation of records, reports, certificates and communications; services or examinations required by a third party; services, examinations or reports for reasons of attending university or camp; examination or immunization for the purpose of travel, employment or emigration; cosmetic services; services not medically required; giving or writing prescriptions; the supply of drugs; dental care except procedures listed in Schedule B; and experimental procedures.

Physicians in Yukon may bill patients directly for non-insured services. Block fees are not used at this time; however, some do bill by service item. Billable services include but are not limited to: completion of employment forms; medical-legal reports; transferring records; third-party examinations; some elective services; and telephone prescriptions, advice or counseling.

Payment does not affect patient access to services because not all physicians or clinics bill for these services and other agencies or employers may cover the cost.

Uninsured dental services include procedures considered restorative and procedures that are not performed in a hospital under general anesthesia.

All Yukon residents have equal access to services. Third parties, such as private insurers or the Worker's Compensation Health and Safety Board, do not receive priority access to services through additional payment. The purchase of non-insured services, such as fiberglass casts, does not delay or prevent access to insured services at any time. Insured persons are given treatment options at the time of service.

Yukon has no formal process to monitor compliance; however, feedback from physicians, hospital administrators, medical professionals and staff allows the Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services to monitor usage and service concerns.

The process used to de-insure services covered by the Yukon Health Insurance Plan is as follows:

• Physician services - the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan, Yukon Medical Association Fee Liaison Committee is responsible for reviewing changes to the Payment Schedule for Yukon including decisions to de-insure certain services. In consultation with the Yukon Medical Advisor, decisions to de-insure services are based on medical evidence that indicates the service is not medically necessary, is ineffective or a potential risk to the patient's health. Once a decision has been made to de-insure a service, all physicians are notified in writing. The Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services, manages this process. No services were removed in 2014-2015.
• Hospital services - an amendment by Order-in-Council to sections 2(e) and 2(f) of the Yukon Hospital Insurance Services Regulations would be required. As of March 31, 2015, no insured in-patient or out-patient hospital services, as provided for in the Regulations, have been de-insured. The Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services is responsible for managing this process in conjunction with the Yukon Hospital Corporation.
• Surgical-dental services - an amendment by Order-in-Council to Schedule B of the Health Care Insurance Plan Regulations is required. A service could be de-insured if determined not medically necessary or is no longer required to be carried out in a hospital under general anaesthesia. The Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services manages this process. No surgical-dental services were de-insured in 2014-2015.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for insured health services are set out in the Health Care Insurance Plan Act and Regulations, sections 2 and 4, and the Hospital Insurance Services Act and Regulations, sections 2 and 4. There were no changes to the legislation in 2014-2015.

Subject to the provisions of these acts and regulations, every Yukon resident is eligible for and entitled to insured health services on uniform terms and conditions. The term "resident" is defined using the wording of the Canada Health Act and means a person lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada, who makes his or her home and is ordinarily present in Yukon, but does not include a tourist, transient or visitor. Pursuant to section 4(1) of the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan Regulations and the Yukon Hospital Insurance Services Regulations, an insured person is eligible for and entitled to insured services after midnight on the last day of the second month following the month of arrival to the Territory. All persons returning to or establishing residency in Yukon are required to complete this waiting period. The only exception is for children adopted by insured persons, and for newborns.

The following persons are not eligible for coverage in Yukon:

• persons entitled to coverage from their home province or territory (e.g., students and workers covered under temporary absence provisions);
• visitors to Yukon;
• refugee claimants;
• convention refugees;
• inmates in federal penitentiaries;
• study permit holders, unless they are a child and they are listed as the dependent of a person who holds a one year work permit; and
• employment authorizations of less than one year.

The above persons may become eligible for coverage if they meet one or more of the following conditions:

• establish residency in Yukon;
• become a permanent resident; or
• for inmates at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre, the day following discharge or release if stationed in or a resident in Yukon.

The number of registrants in the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan as of March 31, 2015 was 38,261.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

The Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan provides health care coverage for other categories of individuals, as follows:

• Returning Canadians - waiting period is applied
• Permanent Residents - waiting period is applied
• Minister's Permit - waiting period is applied, if authorized
• Foreign Workers - waiting period is applied, if holding Employment Authorization
• Clergy - waiting period is applied, if holding Employment Authorization

Employment Authorizations must be in excess of 12 months.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

Where applicable, the eligibility of all persons is administered in accordance with the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability. Under section 4(1) of both regulations, "an insured person is eligible for and entitled to insured services after midnight on the last day of the second month following the month of arrival to the Territory." All persons entitled to coverage are required to complete the minimum waiting period with the exception of children adopted by insured persons (see section 3.1), and newborns.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

The provisions relating to portability of health care insurance during temporary absences outside Yukon, but within Canada, are defined in sections 5, 6, 7 and 10 of the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan Regulations and sections 6, 7(1), 7(2) and 9 of the Yukon Hospital Insurance Services Regulations.

The Regulations state that, "where an insured person is absent from the Territory and intends to return, he/she is entitled to insured services during a period of 12 months continuous absence." Persons leaving Yukon for a period exceeding three months are advised to contact Yukon Insured Health Services and complete a Temporary Absence form. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of coverage.

Students attending educational institutions full-time outside Yukon remain eligible for the duration of their academic studies. The Director, Insured Health and Hearing Services (the Director) may approve other absences in excess of 12 consecutive months upon receiving a written request from the insured person. Requests for extensions must be renewed yearly and are subject to approval by the Director.

For temporary workers and missionaries, the Director may approve absences in excess of 12 consecutive months upon receiving a written request from the insured person. Requests for extensions must be renewed yearly and are subject to approval by the Director.

The provisions regarding coverage during temporary absences in Canada fully comply with the terms and conditions of the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability effective February 1, 2001. Definitions are consistent in regulations, policies and procedures.

Yukon participates fully with the Interprovincial Medical Reciprocal Billing Agreements and Hospital Reciprocal Billing Agreements in place with all other provinces and territories with the exception of Quebec, which does not participate in the medical reciprocal billing arrangement. Persons receiving medical (physician) services in Quebec may be required to pay directly and submit claims to the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan for reimbursement.

The Hospital Reciprocal Billing Agreements provide for payment of insured in-patient and out-patient hospital services to eligible residents receiving insured services outside Yukon, but within Canada.

The Medical Reciprocal Billing Agreements provide for payment of insured physician services on behalf of eligible residents receiving insured services outside Yukon, but within Canada. Payment is made to the host province at the rates established by that province.

Insured services provided to Yukon residents while temporarily absent from the territory are paid at the rates established by the host province.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

The provisions that define portability of health care insurance to insured persons during temporary absences outside Canada are defined in sections 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 of the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan Regulations and sections 6, 7(1), 7(2) and 9 of the Yukon Hospital Insurance Services Regulations.

Sections 5 and 6 currently state that, where an insured person is absent from Yukon and intends to return, he is entitled to insured services during a period of 12 months continuous absence. Similarly to general temporary absences, regulatory work on coverage during temporary absences outside Canada is currently underway and will receive further public input prior to enacting changes.

Persons leaving Yukon for a period exceeding three months are advised to contact Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan and complete a Temporary Absence form. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the coverage.

The provisions for portability of health insurance during out-of-country absences for students, temporary workers and missionaries are the same as for absences within Canada (see section 4.2 of this report).

Insured physician services provided to eligible Yukon residents temporarily outside the country are paid at rates equivalent to those paid had the service been provided in Yukon. Reimbursement is made to the insured person by the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan or directly to the provider of the insured service.

Insured in-patient hospital services provided to eligible Yukon residents outside Canada are paid at the rate established in the Standard Ward Rates Regulation for the Whitehorse General Hospital.

Insured out-patient hospital services provided to eligible Yukon residents outside Canada are paid at the rate established in the Charges for Out-Patient Procedures Regulation.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

There is no legislated requirement that eligible residents must seek prior approval before seeking elective or emergency hospital or physician services outside Yukon or outside Canada.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

There are no user fees or co-insurance charges under the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan or the Yukon Hospital Insurance Services Plan. All services are provided on a uniform basis and are not impeded by financial or other barriers. There is no extra-billing in Yukon for any services covered by the Plan.

Access to hospital or physician services not available locally are provided through the Visiting Specialist Program, Telehealth Program or the Travel for Medical Treatment Program. These programs ensure that there is minimal or no delay in receiving medically necessary services.

To improve access to insured health services, the number of visiting specialists continues to increase to better serve patients in the territory.

The Referred Care Clinic received additional funding to increase operations to full time hours and increase mental health nursing hours to full-time to enhance outreach services. Both of these initiatives will increase residents' access to medical care and reduce the reliance and strain placed upon the Emergency Department at the Whitehorse General Hospital.

5.2 Physician Compensation

The Department of Health and Social Services seeks its negotiating mandate from the Government of Yukon before entering into negotiations with the Yukon Medical Association (YMA). The YMA and the government each appoint members to the negotiating team. Meetings are held as required until an agreement has been reached. The YMA's negotiating team then seeks approval of the tentative agreement from the YMA membership. The Department seeks ratification of the agreement from the Government of Yukon. The final agreement is signed with the concurrence of both parties. The current Memorandum of Understanding will expire on March 31, 2017.

The legislation governing payments to physicians and dentists for insured services are the Health Care Insurance Plan Act and the Health Care Insurance Plan Regulations. No amendments were made to these sections of the legislation in 2014-2015.

The fee-for-service system is used to reimburse the majority of physicians providing insured services to residents. Other systems of reimbursement include contract payments and sessional payments for services in Whitehorse as well as rural communities in the territory.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

The Government of Yukon funds the Yukon Hospital Corporation (Whitehorse General Hospital, Watson Lake Community Hospital, and Dawson City Community Hospital) through global contribution agreements with the Department of Health and Social Services. Global operations and maintenance (O&M) and capital funding levels are negotiated and adjusted based on operational requirements and utilization projections from prior years. In addition to the established O&M and capital funding set out in the agreement, provision is made for the hospital to submit requests for additional funding assistance for implementing new or enhanced programs.

The legislation governing payments made by the health care plan to facilities that provide insured hospital services is the Hospital Insurance Services Plan Act and Regulations. The legislation and regulations set out the legislative framework for payment to hospitals for insured services provided by that hospital to insured persons. No amendments were made to these sections of the legislation in 2014-2015.

6.0 Recognition Given to Federal Transfers

The Government of Yukon has acknowledged the federal contributions provided through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) in its 2014-2015 annual Main Estimates and Public Accounts publications, which are available publicly. Section 3(1) (d) and (e) of the Health Care Insurance Plan Act and section 3 of the Hospital Insurance Services Act acknowledge the contribution of the Government of Canada.

Northwest Territories

Introduction

The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) works with the eight Health and Social Services Authorities (HSSAs) to administer, manage, and deliver insured services in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

During the 2014-2015 fiscal year DHSS carried out the following legislative activities related to health care services:

• An Act to Amend the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act was introduced. The Bill will allow for the establishment of a territorial health and social services authority to replace a number of Boards of Management. The Bill will also require the Minister of Health and Social Services to develop a territorial plan for health and social services. Together these changes are intended to improve system integration and to increase system accountability.
• A new Health and Social Services Professions Act was passed. This Act allows for the regulation of several health and social services professions under one legislative model. This will allow DHSS to modernize the existing out-dated professional legislation in a more efficient and consistent manner.
• Work on drafting a new Mental Health Act continued, with the intent to modernize the legislation. The Act governs the treatment of persons with mental disorders, including provisions for involuntary psychiatric assessment, admission to a hospital and consent to psychiatric treatment.

Additional information on DHSS legislative initiatives is available in the Health and Social Services Annual Report, 2014-2015.

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

The Northwest Territories Health Care Plan consists of the Medical Care Plan and the Hospital Insurance Plan. The public authority responsible for the administration of the Medical Care Plan is the Director of Medical Insurance, appointed by the Minister of Health and Social Services (the Minister), under the Medical Care Act. The Minister establishes Health and Social Service Authorities' Boards of Management as per section 10 of the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act (HIHSSA) to, among other things, administer the Hospital Insurance Plan.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

There are eight Health and Social Service Authorities (HSSAs): Tlicho Community Services Agency (TCSA), Stanton Territorial Health Authority, Yellowknife HSSA, Sahtu HSSA, Beaufort-Delta HSSA, DehCho HSSA, Fort Smith HSSA and Hay River HSSA. They report to the Minister and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and plan, manage, deliver and evaluate a wide spectrum of health and social services at both the community and facility level throughout the NWT. Boards of Management for each region manage, control and operate health and social services facilities within the government's existing resources, policies and directives; and are accountable to the Minister.

The Minister appoints the Director of Medical Insurance who is responsible for administering the Medical Care Act and its regulations. The Director prepares an annual report for the Minister on the operation of the Medical Care Plan. This report can be found within the DHSS Annual Report.

Boards of Management are established by the Minister to administer the Hospital Insurance Plan. The Minister appoints a chairperson and members to the Board of Management for each HSSA in the NWT. The chairperson's term is indefinite and members serve for three years. The exception to this is the TCSA where the Tlicho community governments are responsible for appointing one member to the Board. The Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations (DAAIR) appoints a chairperson after consulting with the board members. Members serve for a maximum of four years and the chairperson's term is fixed by the Minister of DAAIR. The Minister may appoint a Public Administrator to assume the role of a board of management in certain circumstances if the Minister feels it is necessary to do so.

The Director of Medical Insurance and the Boards of Management are responsible to the Minister, as per section 8(1)(b) of the Canada Health Act.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

As part of the Government of the Northwest Territories annual audit, the Office of the Auditor General of Canada audits payments under the Hospital Insurance Plan and the Medical Care Plan.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

Insured hospital services in the Northwest Territories (NWT) are provided under the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act.

During the reporting period, insured hospital services were provided to in-patients and out-patients by 27 health facilities throughout the NWT. Consistent with Section 9 of the Canada Health Act, the NWT offers a comprehensive range of services to its residents.

Insured in-patient hospital services include:

• meals and accommodation at the ward level;
• required nursing services;
• laboratory, diagnostic and imaging services (along with necessary interpretations);
• drugs, biologicals and other preparations administered in the hospital;
• surgical supplies and use of operating room;
• case room and anaesthesiology services;
• radiology and rehab therapy (physio, audio, occupational and speech);
• psychiatric and psychological services within an approved program; and
• detoxification at approved centers.

Insured out-patient hospital services include:

• laboratory tests;
• diagnostic imaging (including interpretations when needed);
• physiotherapy, speech and language pathology therapy and occupational therapy;
• minor medical and surgical procedures and related supplies; and
• psychiatric and psychological services under an approved hospital program.

The Minister may change, add or remove insured hospital services, and determine whether public consultation will occur.

As outlined in the Government of the NWT Medical Travel Policy, travel assistance is provided to residents who require medically necessary insured services that are not available in their home community or elsewhere in the NWT. This ensures that residents of the NWT have reasonable access to insured hospital and physician services.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

The NWT Medical Care Act and the NWT Medical Care Regulations provide for insured physician services. Services provided in approved facilities by physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and midwives are considered insured services under the health care plan. These professionals are required by legislation to be licensed to practice in the NWT under the Medical Profession Act (physicians), Nursing Profession Act (nurses and nurse practitioners) and the Midwifery Profession Act (registered midwives).

For the period 2014-2015, there were 331 licensed physicians (resident, locum and visiting) operating in the NWT.

Physicians may opt out and collect fees other than under the Medical Care Plan by providing written notice to the Director of Medical Insurance. There were no opted-out physicians in the NWT during the reporting period.

The Medical Care Plan insures all medically necessary physician services such as:

• diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury;
• surgery, including anaesthetic services;
• obstetrical care, including prenatal and postnatal care; and
• eye examinations, treatment and operations provided by an ophthalmologist.

The Director of Medical Insurance is responsible for recommending an insured services tariff for services payable by the NWT Medical Care Plan for the Minister's approval. The Minister ultimately determines if services will be added, altered or removed from the tariff by:

• establishing a medical care plan that provides insured services to insured persons by medical practitioners that will qualify and enable the NWT to receive transfer payments from the Government of Canada under the Canada Health Act; and
• approving the fees and charges itemized in the tariff that may be paid in respect to insured services rendered by medical practitioners in the NWT and the conditions under which fees and charges are payable.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

Licensed oral surgeons may submit claims for insured surgical-dental work in the NWT. The Province of Alberta's Schedule of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Benefits is used as a guide.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Not all services provided by hospitals, medical practitioners and dentists are covered under the Health Care Plan. Some uninsured services include:

• in-vitro fertilization;
• third party examinations;
• dental services that are not surgical in nature;
• group immunizations;
• medical-legal services;
• advice or prescriptions done over the phone;
• services rendered to the physician's family;
• dressings, bandages, drugs and other consumables used at the medical practitioner's office;
• plaster; and
• services carried out by people who usually are not medical practitioners such as osteopaths, naturopaths and chiropractors. Physiotherapy, psychiatry and psychological therapies are not covered if delivered in a non-approved location.

For NWT residents to receive items and/or services that are generally considered uninsured under the health care plan, prior approval is required. A Medical Advisor makes recommendations to the Director of Medical Insurance regarding the appropriateness of the request.

The Workers' Safety and Compensation Committee has several policies that are applied when interpreting workers' compensation acts. These policies are available on their website at Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

The process used to make changes to the list of uninsured hospital, physician and surgical-dental services is described in sections 2.1 and 2.2.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

The Medical Care Act and the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act (HIHSSA) define eligibility for the NWT Health Care Plan. The NWT uses guidelines that are consistent with the legislation and Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability to determine eligibility in order to fulfill obligations of section 10 in the Canada Health Act.

Individuals ineligible for NWT health care coverage are members of the Canadian Forces, federal inmates and new residents who have not completed the minimum waiting period. For persons moving back to Canada, eligibility is restored when permanent residency is established.

In order to register for the NWT Health Care Plan, residents fill out an application form and provide applicable supporting documentation (e.g., visa, immigration papers, and proof of residency). Residents may register prior to the date they become eligible. Registration is directly linked to eligibility for coverage and claims are only paid if the client has registered.

As of March 31, 2015, there were 43,436 individuals registered with the NWT Health Care Plan.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

Holders of employment visas, student visas and, in some cases, visitor visas are covered if they meet the provisions of the Eligibility and Portability Agreement and guidelines for health care plan coverage.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

Waiting periods for persons moving to the NWT are consistent with the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability. The waiting period ends the first day of the third month of residency for those moving permanently to the NWT, or the first day of the thirteenth month for those whose work term was for one year and has been extended. Confirmation of extension may be required.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

Section 4(2) of the Medical Care Act provides NWT residents with access to insured health coverage while temporarily out of the NWT but still in Canada, consistent with section 11(1) (b)(i) of the Canada Health Act. The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) adheres to the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability as described in the NWT Health Care Plan Registration Manual.

Once an individual has filled out the Temporary Absence form and it is approved by DHSS, NWT residents are covered for up to one year of temporary absence for work, travel or holidays. Full-time students attending post-secondary school are covered as well. The full cost of insured services is paid for all services received in other Canadian jurisdictions.

When a valid NWT health care card is produced, most doctor visits and hospital services are billed directly to the Department. During the reporting period, 23 million dollars were paid out for hospital in-patient and out-patient services in other provinces and territories. Reimbursement guidelines exist for patients having to pay up front for medically required services.

The NWT participates in both the Hospital Reciprocal Billing Agreement and the Medical Reciprocal Billing Agreement with other jurisdictions (except Quebec).

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

As per section 4(3) of the Medical Care Act and section 11(1)(b) (ii) of the Canada Health Act, the NWT provides reimbursement for NWT residents who require medically necessary services while temporarily outside Canada. Individuals are required to pay up front and seek reimbursement upon their return to the NWT. Costs for eligible services rendered outside Canada will be reimbursed up to the amounts payable in the NWT. Residents temporarily out of Canada may receive coverage for up to one year; however, prior approval is required as well as documentation proving the NWT will be the individual's permanent residence upon return.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

Prior approval is required for elective services rendered in other provinces and outside Canada. All services from private facilities require prior approval as well.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

The Government of the NWT Medical Travel Policy provides NWT residents with assistance to access medically necessary insured services not available in their home community or in the NWT, consistent with section 12(1)(a) of the Canada Health Act.

At the end of 2014-2015, the partnership with Dalhousie University providing psychiatric service delivery through telepsychiatry came to an end. During 2014-2015, Dalhousie psychiatrists were on-site in the NWT for approximately 19 weeks and also provided services via telepsychiatry for an additional 14 weeks. The program provided all aspects of psychiatric care, including travel clinics, consultations, and emergency assessments.

Diagnostic Imaging/Picture Archiving Communication System (DI/PACS) is available everywhere that digital imaging services are offered. DI/PACS has moved x-rays from film to digital format. Radiologists in Yellowknife and the south can review results in as fast as 35 minutes. This ultimately provides NWT residents with access to specialists in southern Canada without having to spend extended periods of time away from home and family.

Extra-billing is not permitted in the NWT, in adherence to section 18 of the Canada Health Act. The only exception is if a medical practitioner opts out of the Medical Care Plan and collects his or her own fees. This did not occur during the reporting period.

5.2 Physician Compensation

The Department, in close consultation with the NWT Medical Association, sets physician compensation. Generally, family and specialist practitioners are compensated through contractual agreements with the Government of NWT, while the remainder are compensated on a fee-for-service basis. Fee-for-service rates in the NWT are itemized in the Insured Services Tariff approved by the Minister in accordance with the NWT Medical Care Act.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

Contribution agreements between the Department of Health and Social Services and the Boards of Management for each Health and Social Service Authority (HSSA) dictate payments made to hospitals. Government budgets, resources and levels of services offered determine the allocated amounts.

Payments to HSSAs providing insured hospital services are governed under the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act and the Financial Administration Act. A comprehensive budget is used to fund hospitals in the NWT.

6.0 Recognition Given to Federal Transfers

Federal funding from the Canada Health Transfer has been recognized and reported by the Government of NWT through the 2014-2015 Main Estimates.

The Main Estimates report (noted above) is presented annually to the Legislative Assembly and represents the government's financial plan.

Nunavut

Introduction

The Department of Health faces many unique challenges when providing for the health and well-being of Nunavummiut. The population of 36,585^{Nunavut footnote #c3m_fnb1} is approximately 81 percent Inuit, and 49 percent of the population is under the age of 25 years (17, 943 people).^{Nunavut footnote #c3m_fnb2} The territory is made up of 25 communities located across three time zones and divided into three regions: the Qikiqtaaluk (or Baffin), the Kivalliq and the Kitikmeot.

The Government of Nunavut, where possible, incorporates Inuit societal values into program and policy development, as well as into service design and delivery. The delivery of health services in Nunavut is based on a primary health care model. Nunavut's primary health care providers are family physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, community health nurses, and other allied health professionals.

In 2014-2015, the territorial operations and maintenance budget for the Department of Health was $322,000,000, including supplementary appropriations.^{Nunavut footnote #c3m_fnb3} One third of the Department's total operational budget was spent on costs associated with medical travel and treatment provided in out-of-territory facilities. Nunavut is a vast territory with a low population density and limited health infrastructure, for example, diagnostic services; therefore, access to a range of hospital and specialist services often requires that residents be sent out of the territory for care.

In 2014-2015 an additional $12,423,000 was allocated to the Department for capital projects.^{Nunavut footnote #c3m_fnb4} The Department of Health 2014-2015 capital projects included: the replacement of the Taloyoak Health Centre and preliminary work on the replacement of the Arctic Bay Health Centre.^{Nunavut footnote #c3m_fnb5}

1.0 Public Administration

1.1 Health Care Insurance Plan and Public Authority

The health care insurance plans of Nunavut, including physician and hospital services, are administered by the Department of Health on a non-profit basis.

The Medical Care Act (NWT, 1988 and as duplicated for Nunavut by section 29 of the Nunavut Act, 1999) governs the entitlement to and payment of benefits for insured medical services. The Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act (NWT, 1988 and as duplicated for Nunavut by section 29 of the Nunavut Act, 1999) enables the establishment of hospital and other health services.

The Department is responsible for delivering health care services to Nunavummiut, including the operation of community health centres, regional health centres, and a hospital. There are three regional offices that manage the delivery of health services at a regional level. Iqaluit operations are administered separately. The Government of Nunavut opted for decentralization to regional offices to support front-line workers and community based delivery of a wide range of health programs and services.

1.2 Reporting Relationship

Legislation governing the administration of health services in Nunavut was carried over from the Northwest Territories (as Nunavut statutes) pursuant to the Nunavut Act. The Medical Care Act governs who is covered by the Nunavut Health Care Plan and the payment of benefits for insured medical services. Section 23(1) of the Medical Care Act requires the Minister responsible for the Act to appoint a Director of Medical Insurance.

The Director is responsible for the administration of the Act and regulations. Section 24 requires the Director to submit an annual report on the operation of the Nunavut Health Care Plan to the Minister for tabling in the Legislative Assembly. On November 5, 2014 the Director of Medical Insurance Annual Report 2013-2014 was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

1.3 Audit of Accounts

The Auditor General of Canada is the auditor of the Government of Nunavut in accordance with section 30.1 of the Financial Administration Act (Nunavut, 1999). The Auditor General is required to conduct an annual audit of the transactions and consolidated financial statements of the Government of Nunavut. The most recent audited report was issued October 30, 2014.

2.0 Comprehensiveness

2.1 Insured Hospital Services

Insured hospital services are provided in Nunavut under the authority of the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act and regulations, sections 2 to 4. No amendments were made to the Act or regulations in 2014-2015.

In 2014-2015 insured hospital services were delivered in 28 facilities across Nunavut including: one general hospital (Iqaluit); two regional health facilities (Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay); 22 community health centres; one public health facility (Iqaluit); and one family practice clinic (Iqaluit). Rehabilitative treatment is available through the Timimut Ikajuksivik Centre located in Iqaluit or via contracted services in other regions.

The Qikiqtani General Hospital (QGH) is currently the only acute care facility in Nunavut providing a range of in-and out-patient hospital services as defined by the Canada Health Act. QGH offers 24-hour emergency services, in-patient care (including obstetrics, pediatrics and palliative care), surgical services, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, respiratory therapy, and health records and information.

Currently Rankin Inlet is providing 24-hour care for in-patients; out-patients receive care by on-call staff. Cambridge Bay is providing daily clinic hours, and emergency care is available, on-call, 24-hours a day. There are also a limited number of birthing beds at both facilities. Other community health centres provide public health services, out-patient services and urgent treatment services.

Public health services are provided at public health clinics located in Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit. Public health programing is provided in the remaining communities through the local health centre. The Department also operates a Family Practice Clinic, led by Nurse Practitioners, in Iqaluit.

The Familiy Practice Clinic has the ability to consult physicians and specialists as needed. It was established in 2006 with funding from the Primary Health Care Transition Fund, and has been successful in helping to reduce pressure on the emergency and out-patient departments of the QGH during working hours. The clinic provides a steady source of primary care appointments and initiatives, such as a Diabetes Clinic and a Sexual Health Program.

The Department is responsible for authorizing, licensing, inspecting and supervising all health facilities in the territory.

Insured in-patient hospital services include: accommodation and meals at the standard ward level; necessary nursing services; laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures, together with the necessary interpretations; drugs, biological and related preparations prescribed by a physician and administered in hospital; routine surgical supplies; use of operating room, case-room and anaesthetic facilities; use of radiotherapy and physiotherapy services where available; psychiatric services provided under an approved program; services rendered by persons who are paid by the hospital.

Out-patient services include: laboratory tests and x-rays, including interpretations, when requested by a physician and performed in an out-patient facility or in an approved hospital; hospital services in connection with most minor medical and surgical procedures; physiotherapy, occupational therapy, limited audiology and speech therapy services in an out-patient facility or in an approved hospital; and psychiatric services provided under an approved hospital program.

The Department makes the determination to add insured hospital services based on the availability of appropriate resources, equipment and overall feasibility in accordance with financial guidelines set by the Department and with the approval of the Financial Management Board. No new services were added in 2014-2015 to the list of insured hospital services.

2.2 Insured Physician Services

The Medical Care Act, section 3(1), and Medical Care Regulations, section 3, provide for insured physician services in Nunavut. No amendments were made to the Act or regulations in 2014-2015. The Nursing Act allows for licensure of nurse practitioners in Nunavut; this permits nurses to deliver insured services in Nunavut.

Physicians must be in good standing with a College of Physicians and Surgeons from a Canadian jurisdiction, and be licensed to practice in Nunavut. The Government of Nunavut's Medical Registration Committee currently manages this process for Nunavut physicians. Nunavut recruits and hires its own family physicians, and accesses specialist services primarily from its main referral centres in Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Yellowknife. Recruitment of full-time family physicians has improved significantly and there are 26 family physician positions, covered by a combination of locums and full-time physicians, funded through the Department, providing over 7,400 days of service annually across the territory.

Of the 26 full-time family physician positions in Nunavut, 16 are in the Qikiqtaaluk region; 7.5 in the Kivalliq region; and 2.5 in the Kitikmeot region. There are also 1.5 general surgeons, 1 anaesthetist, and 1 pediatrician at the QGH. Visiting specialists, general practitioners and locums also provide insured physician services; these arrangements are made by each of the Department's three regions.

Physicians can elect to collect fees other than those under the Medical Care Plan in accordance with section 12(2)(a) or (b) of the Medical Care Act by notifying the Director in writing. An election can be revoked the first day of the following month after a letter to that effect is delivered to the Director. In 2014-2015, no physicians provided written notice of this election.

All physicians practicing in Nunavut are under contract with the Department. In 2014-2015, 289 physicians provided service in Nunavut.

Insured physician services refer to all services rendered by medical practitioners that are medically required. Where insured services are unavailable in some places in Nunavut, the patient is referred to another jurisdiction to obtain the insured service. Nunavut has health service agreements with medical and treatment centres in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Churchill, Yellowknife and Edmonton. These are the out-of-territory sites to which Nunavut mainly refers its patients to access medical services not available within the territory.

The addition or deletion of insured physician services requires government approval. For this, the Director of Medical Insurance would become involved in negotiations with a collective group of physicians to discuss the service. Then the decision of the group would be presented to Cabinet for approval. No insured physician services were added or deleted in 2014-2015.

2.3 Insured Surgical-Dental Services

Dentists providing insured surgical-dental services under the Nunavut Health Care Plan must be licensed pursuant to the Dental Professions Act (NWT, 1988 and as duplicated for Nunavut by section 29 of the Nunavut Act, 1999). Billing numbers are provided for billing the Plan regarding the provision of insured dental services.

Insured dental services are limited to those dental-surgical procedures scheduled in the regulations, requiring the unique capabilities of a hospital for their performance; for example, orthognathic surgery. Oral surgeons are brought to Nunavut on a regular basis, but on rare occasions, for medically complicated situations, patients are flown out of the territory.

The addition of new surgical-dental services to the list of insured services requires government approval. No new services were added to the list in 2014-2015.

2.4 Uninsured Hospital, Physician and Surgical-Dental Services

Services provided under the Workers' Compensation Act (NWT, 1988 and as duplicated for Nunavut by section 29 of the Nunavut Act, 1999) or other Acts of Canada, except the Canada Health Act, are excluded.

Services provided by physicians that are not insured include: yearly physicals; cosmetic surgery; services that are considered experimental; prescription drugs; physical examinations done at the request of a third party; optometric services; dental services other than specific procedures related to jaw injury or disease; the services of chiropractors, naturopaths, podiatrists, osteopaths and acupuncture treatments; and physiotherapy, speech therapy and psychology services received in a facility that is not an insured out-patient facility (hospital).

Services not covered in a hospital include: hospital charges above the standard ward rate for private or semi-private accommodation; services that are not medically required, such as cosmetic surgery; services that are considered experimental; ambulance charges (except inter-hospital transfers); dental services, other than specific procedures related to jaw injury or disease; and alcohol and drug rehabilitation, without prior approval.

In 2014-2015 the Qikiqtani General Hospital charged a $2,322 per diem rate for services provided for non-Canadian resident stays. The inpatient rate charged in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay was $1,304.

When residents are sent out of the territory for services, the Department relies on the policies and procedures guiding that particular jurisdiction when they provide services to Nunavut residents that could result in additional costs, only to the extent that these costs are covered by Nunavut's Medical Insurance Plan (see section 4.2 below). Any query or complaint is handled on an individual basis with the jurisdiction involved.

The Department also administers the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program, on behalf of Health Canada, for Inuit and First Nations residents in Nunavut. NIHB covers a co-payment for medical travel, accommodations and meals at boarding homes (in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Churchill, Edmonton, Yellowknife and Iqaluit), prescription drugs, dental treatment, vision care, medical supplies and prostheses, and a number of other incidental services.

3.0 Universality

3.1 Eligibility

Eligibility for the Nunavut Health Care Plan is briefly defined under sections 3(1), (2), and (3) of the Medical Care Act. The Department also adheres to the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability, as well as internal guidelines. No amendments were made to the Act or regulations in 2014-2015.

Subject to these provisions, every Nunavut resident is eligible for and entitled to insured health services on uniform terms and conditions. A resident means a person lawfully entitled to be in or to remain in Canada, who makes his or her home and is ordinarily present in Nunavut, but does not include a tourist, transient or visitor to Nunavut. Eligible residents receive a health card with a unique health care number.

Registration requirements include a completed application form and supporting documentation. A health care card is issued to each resident. To streamline document processing, a staggered renewal process is used. No premiums exist. Coverage under the Nunavut Medical Insurance Plan is linked to verification of registration, although every effort is made to ensure registration occurs when a coverage issue arises for an eligible resident. For non-residents, a valid health care card from their home province or territory is required.

Coverage generally begins the first day of the third month after arrival in Nunavut, but first-day coverage is provided under a number of circumstances, for example, newborns whose mothers or fathers are eligible for coverage. Permanent residents (landed immigrants), returning Canadians, repatriated Canadians, returning permanent residents, and non-Canadians who have been issued an employment visa for a period of 12 months or more, are also granted first-day coverage.

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces and inmates of a federal penitentiary are not eligible for registration. These groups are granted first-day coverage under the Nunavut Health Care Plan upon discharge.

Pursuant to section 7 of the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability, individuals in Nunavut who are temporarily absent from their home province or territory and who are not establishing residency in Nunavut remain covered by their home provincial or territorial health insurance plans for up to one year.

On March 31, 2015, 36,667 individuals were registered with the Nunavut Health Care Plan, up by 1350 from the previous year. There are no formal provisions for Nunavut residents to opt out of the Nunavut Health Care Plan.

3.2 Other Categories of Individuals

Non-Canadian holders of employment visas of less than 12 months, foreign students with visas of less than 12 months, transient workers, and individuals holding a Minister's Permit (with the possible exception of those holding a temporary resident permit who may be reviewed on a case by case basis) are not eligible for coverage. When unique circumstances occur, assessments are done on an individual basis. This is consistent with section 15 of the Northwest Territories' Guidelines for Health Care Plan Registration, which was adopted by Nunavut in 1999.

4.0 Portability

4.1 Minimum Waiting Period

Consistent with section 3 of the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability, the waiting period before coverage begins for individuals moving within Canada is three months, or the first day of the third month following the establishment of residency in a new province or territory, or the first day of the third month when an individual, who has been temporarily absent from his or her home province, decides to take up permanent residency in Nunavut.

4.2 Coverage During Temporary Absences in Canada

The Medical Care Act, section 4(2), prescribes the benefits payable where insured medical services are provided outside Nunavut, but within Canada. The Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act, sections 5(d) and 28(1)(j)(o), provide the authority for the Minister to enter into agreements with other jurisdictions to provide health services to Nunavut residents, and the terms and conditions of payment. No legislative or regulatory changes were made in 2014-2015 with respect to coverage outside Nunavut.

Students studying outside Nunavut must notify the Department and provide proof of enrollment to ensure continuing coverage. Requests for extensions must be renewed yearly and are subject to approval by the Director. Temporary absences for work, vacation or other reasons for up to one year are approved by the Director upon receipt of a written request from the insured person. The Director may approve absences in excess of 12 continuous months upon receiving a written request from the insured individual.

The provisions regarding coverage during temporary absences in Canada fully comply with the terms and conditions of the Interprovincial Agreement on Eligibility and Portability. Nunavut participates in physician and hospital reciprocal billing. As well, special bilateral agreements are in place with Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. The Hospital Reciprocal Billing Agreements provide payment of in- and out-patient hospital services to eligible Nunavut residents receiving insured services outside the territory. High-cost procedure rates, newborn rates, and out-patient rates are based on those established by the Interprovincial Health Insurance Agreements Coordinating Committee. The Physician Reciprocal Billing Agreements provide payment of insured physician services on behalf of eligible Nunavut residents receiving insured services outside the territory. Payment is made to the host province at the rates established by that province.

4.3 Coverage During Temporary Absences Outside Canada

The Medical Care Act, section 4(3), prescribes the benefits payable where insured medical services are provided outside Canada. The Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act, section 28(1)(j)(o), provides the authority for the Minister to set the terms and conditions of payment for services provided to Nunavut residents outside Canada. Individuals are granted coverage for up to one year if they are temporarily out of the country for any reason, although they must give prior notice in writing. For services provided to residents who have been referred out of the country for highly specialized procedures unavailable in Nunavut and Canada, Nunavut will pay the full cost. For non-referred or emergency services, the payment for hospital services is $2,322 per day and for out-patient care it is $288 per day.

Insured physician services provided to eligible residents temporarily outside the country are paid at rates equivalent to those paid had that service been provided in the territory. Reimbursement is made to the insured individual or directly to the provider of the insured service.

4.4 Prior Approval Requirement

Prior approval is required for elective services provided in private facilities in Canada or in any facility outside the country.

5.0 Accessibility

5.1 Access to Insured Health Services

The Medical Care Act, section 14, prohibits extra-billing by physicians unless the medical practitioner has made an election that is still in effect. Access to insured services is provided on uniform terms and conditions. To break down the barrier posed by distance and cost of travel, the Government of Nunavut provides medical travel assistance. Interpretation services in Inuktut are also provided to patients in any health care setting.

The Qikiqtani General Hospital (QGH) in Iqaluit is currently the only acute care hospital facility in Nunavut. The hospital has a total of 35 beds available for acute, rehabilitative, palliative and chronic care services and currently 20 general purpose beds are in use due to capacity and need. There are also four birthing rooms and six day surgery beds. The facility provides in-patient, out-patient and 24-hour emergency services. On-site physicians provide emergency services on rotation. Medical services provided include: an ambulatory care/out-patient clinic, limited intensive care services, and general medical, maternity and palliative care. Surgical services provided include ophthalmology, urology, orthopaedics, gynaecology, paediatrics, general surgery, emergency trauma, otolaryngology and dental surgery under general anesthesia and conscious sedation. Patients requiring specialized surgeries are sent to other jurisdictions. Diagnostic services include: radiology, laboratory, electrocardiogram and CT scans.

Outside of Iqaluit, out-patient and 24-hour emergency nursing services are provided by local health centres in Nunavut's 24 other communities.

Nunavut has two Continuing Care Centres located in Igloolik and Gjoa Haven. These facilities provide full time nursing and personal care to adults. Each facility has 10 beds.

Nunavut has agreements in place with a number of out-of-territory regional health authorities and specific facilities to provide medical specialists and other visiting health practitioner services. The following specialist services were provided in Nunavut during 2014-2015 under the visiting specialists program: ophthalmology, orthopaedics, internal medicine, otolaryngology, neurology, rheumatology, dermatology, paediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, urology, respirology, cardiology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry, oral surgery, and allergist. Visiting specialist clinics are held depending on demand and availability of specialists.

Nunavut's Telehealth network, linking all 25 communities, allows for the delivery of a broad range of services over distances including specialist consultation services such as dermatology, psychiatry and internal medicine; rehabilitation services; regularly scheduled counseling sessions; family visitation; and continuing medical education. The long-term goal is to integrate Telehealth into the primary care delivery system, enabling residents of Nunavut greater access to a broader range of service options, and allowing service providers and communities to use existing resources more effectively.

For services and equipment unavailable in Nunavut, patients are referred to other jurisdictions.

5.2 Physician Compensation

All full-time physicians in Nunavut work under contract with the Department. The terms of the contracts are set by the Department. Visiting consultants are paid a daily contract rate for their professional services. Rates vary based on services rendered.

5.3 Payments to Hospitals

Funding for the Qikiqtani General Hospital, regional health facilities and community health centres is provided through the Government of Nunavut's budget process.

6.0 Recognition Given to Federal Transfers

Nunavummiut are aware of ongoing federal contributions through press releases and media coverage. The Government of Nunavut has also recognized the federal contribution provided through the Canada Health Transfer in various published documents. For fiscal year 2014-2015, they included:

• 2014-2015 Budget Address; and
• 2015-2018 Government of Nunavut Business Plan.