At a Glance / Aperçu

New MD payment thresholds announced

Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 155: 435

About 13% of physicians will be affected by thresholds announced recently by the Ontario government, says Ontario Health Minister Jim Wilson. In July the province announced three threshold payment levels; after the first level has been reached, the ministry will discount payments by 33.3%, 66.7% and 75% in $25 000 increments. GPs and each of 31 specialties will have their own set of thresholds; the GP threshold, which is the basic level, is $251 000 after the 10% payment reduction already being applied to physician payments is factored in.

The Ontario Medical Association says the decision is another "ad hoc method of freezing medical services spending at below-1992 levels," which will result "in less medical care being available for patients." Dr. Gerry Rowland, the president, said the "likely response to reduced funding is reduced provision of services." The real losers, he said, are Ontario patients.

| CMAJ August 15, 1996 (vol 155, no 4) |