OMA President's Update

Volume 11, No. 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 29, 2006

AGREEMENT UPDATE - NEW FEES AND FEE CODE INCREASES TAKE EFFECT APRIL 1

The OMA Economics Department has prepared an advance listing of the new fee codes and fee code increases that are scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2006. The codes and their values are posted in the Agreement Tracker located at the top of the OMA Home Page (www.oma.org).

A question-and-answer document provides specific information about how to bill the new Wxxx Long-Term Care Monthly Management Fee.

Our staff has consulted with the Ministry to verify the information posted. A complete and final list of changes and new fee codes will be provided once approved by Cabinet, which is anticipated next week.

The Ministry expects to have an official OHIP Bulletin posted on its website April 1, 2006, and mailed to physicians shortly thereafter.

OHIP bulletins can be found online at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/ohip/bulletins/4000/bulletin_4000_mn.html

The MOHLTC also expects to post a revised OHIP Fee Schedule Master (for use with billing software) at that time. This file will be available at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/ohip/sob/schedule_master.html

The OMA is awaiting a final list of Primary Care items that will be implemented on April 1, 2006.

That information will be posted online as soon as it is received, and a targeted mailing is to be sent to members by the Primary Care Branch of the Ministry.

Please check the Agreement Tracker for further updates.

NEW FEE FOR REPORTING FITNESS TO DRIVE

The new Medical Condition Report (often referred to as the Fitness to Drive form) has been re-worked with significant input from the OMA. It will be introduced April 1, and is now subject to a $34.85 OHIP fee.

As many members are aware, the OMA disagrees with the section of the Highway Traffic Act that requires physicians to report any patient who "is suffering from a medical condition that may make it dangerous for the person to operate a motor vehicle." Our legal opinion is the law captures many patients who may not actually be a threat.

We believe that we have developed an interim solution though, and our instructions to members are as follows:

1. Do fill out and submit the new Medical Condition Report for any patients who are 16 or older, and who have a condition that may make it dangerous to operate a vehicle.
2. If you do not believe that the patient whom you are reporting is actually a threat to their own safety or that of others, please state this in the comment section (under the "Optional" heading in the third section of the form). By writing "This condition is unlikely to present a road safety risk," or "Condition does not appear to pose a threat," you are both complying with the law (by filling out the form), and protecting your patients from unnecessary scrutiny by the Ministry of Transportation.
3. If you are reporting a patient whose condition you believe to be temporary, please state this as well. You can simply write "Temporary" and/or "Condition is only expected to last ___ weeks/months."
4. Bill Fee Code K035 ($34.85) upon submission of the form.

Questions about the new form may be directed to John Wellner, OMA Health Policy Department, at 1-800-268-7215, ext. 2953 or via e-mail (john_wellner@oma.org).

Dr. Greg Flynn OMA President