TORONTO, April 25,
2024 /CNW/ - The Canadian Life and Health Insurance
Association (CLHIA) supports the steps announced by the
Ontario government yesterday to
help family doctors and other primary care providers spend more
time with their patients and less time on paperwork.
"Our members agree with the Government of Ontario: doctors should be focused on patients
not filling out forms," said Stephen
Frank, President and CEO of the CLHIA. "Insurers are doing
our part to reduce the admin burden doctors face. We've been
working with the Ontario Medical Association, Canadian Medical
Association and others to leverage technology to reduce the number
of insurance related forms doctors need to complete."
The CLHIA has already undertaken two key initiatives:
One form for disability insurance: Members of the
CLHIA have agreed to accept one consistent template form for
short-term disability and long-term disability. This simplified
form has already been adopted by the province of Nova Scotia into their physician EMRs and we
invite other provinces to do the same. It is available for all plan
members and their physicians to use on CLHIA's website.
Reducing and eliminating the use of physician referrals:
Historically, insurers have required a physician's referral to
support a claim for many paramedical services under group benefits
plans. However, new technology and alternative plan design are
replacing this practice over time. Insurers, working with
employers, are reducing and eliminating the need for doctor
referrals for services like physiotherapy and orthotics.
Provincial and territorial governments and medical associations
are working to reduce the administrative burden on physicians.
CLHIA members support these efforts and are working collaboratively
with them to on this important initiative.
About the CLHIA
The CLHIA is a voluntary association whose member companies
account for 99 per cent of Canada's life and health insurance business.
These insurers provide financial security products including life
insurance, annuities (including RRSPs, RRIFs and pensions) and
supplementary health insurance to over 29 million Canadians. They
hold over $1 trillion in assets in
Canada and employ more than
170,000 Canadians.
SOURCE Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc.