Hundreds of complaints

In a news release, the coalition said it has received more than 200 complaints over the past year from patients who are facing charges of hundreds to thousands of dollars for cataract surgery in private clinics.

The Ontario Health Coalition noted patients are supposed to be protected against user charges and extra-billing for medically needed surgeries, diagnostic tests and physician services, according to provincial and federal legislation.

“Without question, patients — many of whom are elderly and on fixed incomes — are being exploited. They are being charged hundreds or even thousands of dollars, particularly when they go to private clinics for cataract surgeries,” said Mehra. “This should never happen in Canada.”

Queue jumping not allowed

Mehra called upon the province to clamp down on private clinics and the illegal practice of queue jumping, which gives patients the ability to buy their way to the front of the line.

Mehra said everything patients need for cataract surgery is covered under OHIP, including eye measurement tests, lenses that are unique to their eye, eye drops, appointments with physicians and follow up.

Selling queue jumping is not allowed, Mehra noted.

The Ontario Health Coalition has outlined the types of complaints it has received in separate open letters to Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Health and to Marjorie Michel, Federal Health Minister.

Several patients offered personal experiences detailing fees they were charged for cataract surgery.

Patient stories

London resident Maureen Munro said she was informed that she had macular degeneration and needed urgent eye surgery to save her vision.

“I was informed the cost to receive the surgery would be almost $7,000. Being as I live alone, I did not want to have macular degeneration, nor lose my quality of life. Therefore, I paid the $7,000 in 2022. Being a senior on a fixed income, I am still trying to catch up with bills from this surgery.”

David Kauk of Kitchener-Waterloo said he paid $250 for eye measurement tests for his cataract surgery. One week before the procedure, the surgeon allegedly told him he would have to pay $1,100 per eye.

Jules Tupker of Thunder Bay said he and his wife were each charged $225 (for a total of $550) for eye measurements at a private clinic.

Not wanting to jeopardize the surgery, Tupker said he paid the fees for himself and his wife.

Tupker said he has applied for reimbursement through the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act program but has been waiting for a response since last October.

Ministry response

When asked about the Ontario Health Coalition’s formal complaints, the provincial Ministry of Health directed Metroland to a previous statement that noted charges for OHIP-covered services are prohibited.

Ema Popovich, press secretary for Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, said in an email, “This is a repeated story” from the Ontario Health Coalition.

In a prior statement, Popovic said Ontario has provisions through legislation that prohibit a patient from being charged for an OHIP-covered service.

“If someone has been charged for an OHIP-covered service, they can contact the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act program to open a review. Those who have been charged for an insured service will be reimbursed in full,” Popovic added.

How to report a suspected violation

Canadian Doctors for Medicare, an organization dedicated to preserving Canada’s publicly funded health care system, has an online form and contact information for provincial agencies who investigate patient claims of inappropriate charges for insured health services.

Ontario residents can contact the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act program at 1-888-662-6613 or by email at protectpublichealthcare@ontario.ca.

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