Debates of June 2, 2006 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement, I addressed the issue that has been raised in this House numerous times before. The GNWT, on behalf of their employees, subscribes to a pharmaceutical insurance program with Sun Life and there are some problems and gaps for the service providers under that particular insurance program. I trust by now Minister Roland is familiar with what the issue is, although some of the correspondence would indicate otherwise. We need an online adjudicated, quick, efficient process for the pharmacies in the Northwest Territories. Has the Minister considered changing the company or the program we subscribe to on behalf of GNWT employees and employees of boards and agencies? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 39-15(5): GNWT Health Insurance Providers Process Concerns

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the area of providing help through the Sun Life program for pharmacies or drugs for our employees is something that I have just recently been made aware of. I am aware of the correspondence that was sent to the Minister of Health and Social Services from a number of pharmacies. I understand a meeting was held just recently, maybe this past weekend. The issue comes down to Sun Life’s automatic billing system that they need to put in. We are informed that that should be in place by 2008, although the pharmacies within the Territories would like that sooner. They are moving down that path and that should alleviate the problems that are coming forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 39-15(5): GNWT Health Insurance Providers Process Concerns

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So there are quite a number of insurance companies who already do have provisions for pharmacies. Other employers in the Northwest Territories have their employees covered by services which are available online and at much less cumbersome process than what Sun Life has. I just want to confirm something. Is the Minister saying that Sun Life does not have a different program that we could subscribe to that would provide for that online access? If it’s not going to be up and running, if it’s a Sun Life deficiency and is not going to be up and running until 2008, I suggest that we switch service providers. Would the Minister consider that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 39-15(5): GNWT Health Insurance Providers Process Concerns

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the things we would have to do is review the contract that was awarded to Sun Life before we would go down that path, but I will commit to have a further review of this to see what some of the problems are and see if they can be resolved sooner. The understanding is that a meeting was held with the Pharmacy Association on Sunday and the Sun Life automatic billing system was one of the major topics. Again, the information we have is they will have a newer system in place by 2008, although the association would like that sooner and we understand why.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 39-15(5): GNWT Health Insurance Providers Process Concerns

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the information that my questions and comments were premised on today was a letter that I had received from the NWT Pharmacy Association dated April 27th. I was not aware that a subsequent meeting had taken place on the subject. I would ask the Minister, in response to their concerns and the concerns that I have reiterated here again today, would the Minister provide me with some form of a briefing as to the progress on this matter before the end of the session? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 39-15(5): GNWT Health Insurance Providers Process Concerns

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, in fact as we received the response from Minister Miltenberger back to the president of the NWT Pharmacy Association, we are in the process of putting something together and I will gladly provide that to the Member. Thank you.