| What does OHIP cover? Sleep
studies will continue to be paid for by the Ministry of Health; the only changes being
introduced are in the legal structure under which payment is made. Patients should not
experience any adverse impact on access to these services.
What is not covered?
Starting on July 1, 1998, privately owned sleep study centres, those
not operated by hospitals, will be required to seek a licence as an Independent Health
Facility in order to bill the Ministry for these services. Sleep studies in these
Facilities and in hospitals are fully covered.
Why?
Sleep studies are one of the fastest growing services billed to OHIP
in |
recent
years, which raises questions about funding, quality, and medical necessity of services. In addition, the lack of consistency in standards for the service is a
concern. To resolve these questions and to regulate the quality of the service, the
Ministry will require these diagnostic tests to be performed in regulated facilities.
The requirement for licensing privately owned facilities allows for
planned and rational expansion of services, as needed, and for the regulation of service
quality.
Privately owned facilites will be inspected to ensure that services
are provided according to standards established by the College of Physicians and Surgeons
of Ontario. |