Murky rules for nurse practitioners give rise to private clinics in Ontario – CBC
Clinics are popping up across the province, says Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario
Mar 01, 2024
When Kyle Truong needed medical attention for a respiratory infection last year, he said there weren’t many convenient options for accessing timely care. Truong, who lives in Toronto, hasn’t had a family doctor for about four years.
But then he discovered a private clinic where he could quickly get an appointment with a nurse practitioner, though it would not be covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
“First I was a little disappointed,” Truong, 29, said. “Because if I’m paying tax dollars and we’re supposed to have great health-care coverage, it kind of sucks that I have to pay for accessibility in this case.”
Even so, he said he had a “great” experience at the clinic, with next to no wait times, a comprehensive appointment, and the prescription he needed to treat his infection. He’s since signed up for a one-year membership for access to unlimited appointments. Lucky for him, he was able to have the $450 fee covered through private insurance.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-nurse-practitioner-private-clinics-1.7127951
