Some Manitobans can now obtain medical services in hospital without a health card

Some Manitobans without health cards can now see doctors in hospitals, thanks to a change intended to ensure vulnerable patients receive better medical care.

Hospital physicians can now bill the health-care system for certain patients without a health card, Doctors Manitoba said.

The change applies to people who are eligible for coverage but don't have a personal health ID number, such as newborns, people experiencing homelessness, new residents to Canada and people who've recently been incarcerated.

Doctors Manitoba president Nichelle Desilets said the move will reduce the administrative burdens on physicians and allow them to get reimbursed faster, all while ensuring more patients receive medical care.

"I've seen dramatic, life-threatening situations develop due to folks not seeking care as early as they could have for this reason," she said. "The good faith billing option is really helpful. It definitely puts us more in line with other provinces."

In a written statement, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said the billing change is "a small and simple step that will give physicians more time to focus on their patients instead of chasing down paper work.

"Plus, patients who for whatever reason are not able to present their health card will have a smoother experience knowing the RHA [regional health authority] will sort out the details with their family doctor later," Asagwara added.

Tobi Jolly, community wellness director at Siloam Mission, said while people without health cards can usually access emergency medical services, they find it difficult to receive ongoing care or visit specialists.

"We've had community members who have come in and been fearful of going to the hospital, because, 'They're going to ask for my health card,'" Jolly said, adding she hopes the new good faith billing process changes this.

"It's really exciting for us to know that our community members will get the care they need at the hospital as well."

Jolly said expanding good faith billings to clinics and other settings outside hospitals, including Siloam, would alleviate even more barriers to health care.

Some Manitobans without health cards now have hospital visits covered

13 hours ago

Duration 2:09

Doctors Manitoba says hospital physicians can now bill the province's health-care system for certain patients who don't have a health card, including newcomers to Canada and people who are homeless, bringing relief to at least one organization that works with vulnerable patients.