Debates of October 20, 2006 (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question this morning is for Mr. Roland as the Minister responsible for Human Resources. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my Member's statement, due to a change in billing procedure from our health care insurance provider, employees and their families are inconvenienced, in some cases considerably, because they have to pay up front for doctor-prescribed supplies; whereas before, this was all handled through the pharmacist and direct billing. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister what kind of notice and what kind of reasons were provided by the health care insurer for this change in our billing procedure? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Honourable Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 152-15(5): Change In Billing Procedure From GNWT Health Care Services Provider

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this issue we were made aware of recently as the members of the public and our employees were contacted, human resources as well as Members, regarding the change that was put in place by the public service health care plan administration. We became aware just early this fall with regard to changes. They were posted on their website, of the changes effective. The notice went out on their website in April to become effective in August. We became aware of it recently. We're paying much closer attention to that website of any further changes coming up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 152-15(5): Change In Billing Procedure From GNWT Health Care Services Provider

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a mystery, I guess, as to why this change in billing procedure is happening. Constituents of mine brought it to my attention, I think it was either very late in July or early in August just as this came into effect. So it came as a surprise. I made enquiries at that time and still haven't got any answers. So I guess the question that I'd like to see if the Minister can help me with is why this change in billing procedure. Why are our employees and their families being inconvenienced this way?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 152-15(5): Change In Billing Procedure From GNWT Health Care Services Provider

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in checking into this and having the department contact the administration for the public service health care plan, we've not come up with any satisfactory responses in that area. We have notified them that we are not happy with the changes that were made and would prefer to have it as it was, and at this time we've been informed they're not willing to go back to it. It references the drug identification numbers, I believe, as a way of how they work it through their programs and have payments put out and established, and it's on that basis what we're informed of. Unfortunately, we're not, again, getting a favourable response at this time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 152-15(5): Change In Billing Procedure From GNWT Health Care Services Provider

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate, too, it has something to do with supplies and medically described items that have this DIN, or drug insurance number. So there's obviously some administration or bureaucracy that is falling through the cracks here. I would like to ask the Minister what kind of direct appeal has been made to the health care insurance provider to sit down and fix this, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 152-15(5): Change In Billing Procedure From GNWT Health Care Services Provider

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the public service health care plan deals with about 1,600 pharmacies across the country and deals with other organizations as well as ourselves. We've made contact with administration for the public service health care plan. We've informed them of our displeasure in this area in the changes and that it's not satisfactory, and trying to see if they would be willing to reconsider going back to the method done previously. At this point, we are still not getting very much response in that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 152-15(5): Change In Billing Procedure From GNWT Health Care Services Provider

Mr. Speaker, considering that there’s been, for those families and employees affected, considerable reduction in the level of service, considerable increase in inconvenience, and to our own government because we’ve got more paperwork to process now, is the premium that we’re paying, the cost that we’re paying for this health care coverage, is that at least being reduced, considering the impact on the level service to us, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 152-15(5): Change In Billing Procedure From GNWT Health Care Services Provider

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m not aware of any changes to the premiums, but I will look into that. Thank you.