Changes to OHIP Coverage

On April 1, 2005, changes were made to OHIP coverage for physiotherapy services to “improve access to those most in need.” While PT services provided in hospitals, by CCACs and WSIB were still covered, those who don’t qualify in any of those categories are left to find their own resources to cover PT services, whether it be from private insurance or out of pocket.

This reality didn’t really hit home for me until I was on a placement in a small, mostly rural, community north-west of Belleville. There are no OHIP funded clinics in the area, and for many people the clinic I was in was the closest clinic, and it could still be at least 30 minute drive away. I had an 83 year old female client who was quite active – she had jumped off of the back of a pick-up truck and fractured her wrist. She was coming to physiotherapy to regain range of motion and strength in her hand and wrist that she’d lost while the joint was fixated. I walked her to the front desk one day after her appointment to make sure she rebooked and was taken aback when the receptionist told her the cost of the treatment. Of course I knew that the clients paid for their appointments, but for some reason it really struck home that day. This 83 year old woman, without a job and with probably only a very modest income, was having to pay out of pocket for care in order to be able to use her hand properly again. I just couldn’t believe it. If she could not have afforded to pay would she lose the proper use of that hand? It made me wonder how many people in that small community were living with deficits that physiotherapists could help with because they couldn’t afford care.

I’m not sure how the government believes that cuts in physiotherapy care will improve access. To be treated at an OHIP covered clinic you need to have a doctor’s referral – does that not only slow down access? There are not even any OHIP covered clinics in a city as big as Mississauga! I think as students we need to become more aware of healthcare issues. As future physiotherapists and occupational therapists we need to become advocates for our patients and clients and make it known to the government that our services are useful, cost effective and are greatly needed to ensure quality of life!

For more information visit:

Ontario Physiotherapy Association http://www.opa.on.ca/policy_ohip.shtml

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care http://health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/physiotherapy.html

Shauna D’Amboise – MSc (PT) Candidate (2010)