Gov't cuts drug, health care benefits starting on Jan. 1 THE PROVINCIAL Government is passing along nearly $130 million a year in prescription drug and other health care costs such as those associated with physiotherapy services beginning Jan. 1. It is doing so based on a person’s income and is the first step toward a more comprehensive program aimed at ability to pay as opposed to universal coverage, the provincial government announced last week. The impact of the Jan. 1 increases will be less on low income people making less than $20,000 a year who now receive help with paying their Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums and on seniors. “While we are proceeding with the major changes that are needed to achieve our iong term goals for health, we also need to address immediate cost pres- sures and meet current priorities by adjusting some pro- grams and benefits now,” said health services minister Colin Hansen in announcing the increases. In some cases, the increases may be covered io some extent if people have private health care plans which offer extended care benefits. MSP now covers everybody for up to 12 visits a year (15 for seniors age 65 and older) for physiotherapy, chir- opractic, naturopathy and massage therapy treatments, There's a $10 fee per visit with the exception of those on premium assistance, Effective Jan. 2, MSP will only cover those who qua- lify for premium assistance and only wp to a combined 10 visits a year for the above-mentioned services. MSP will pay up to $23 to a practitioner, meaning patients may have to cover any difference if the fee is higher. Generally speaking, most practitioners charge more than $23. When it comes to prescription drugs, all seniors age 65 and older now receive full coverage but must pay dis- pensing fees to a maximum of $200 a year. As of Jan. 1, seniors age 65 or older on premium as- sistance will pay $10 (or the combined drug and dispen- sing cost if the total is less than $10) for each prescrip- tion to a maximum $200 a year. 4 Seniors not on premium assis- tance will pay $25 (or the combined drug and dispensing cost if less than $25) to a maximum of $275 a year. | Individuals and families on premium assistance now pay 4a maximum $600 a year for drugs. That rises to $800 a year Jan. 1, All others who now pay to a maximum $800 a year and then 30 per cent of drug costs to a ceiling of $2,000 will pay a maximum $1,000 a year and 30 per cent to a ceiling of $2,000 a year. “Pharmacare costs have been increasing by more than 14 per cent a year - higher than any ather part of the health system, and that’s clearly not sustainable,” Hansen said. Colin Hansen TE EE One local physiotherapist says some people may ga without care because of the government cuts to MSP. Lori Janzen, a co-owner of Cedar River Physiother- apy, says her business will have to increase user fees. And that will have an impact on people who aren’t exempt from the changes announced last week. “There is still some hospital-based physiotherapy, but it is woefully insufficient for the size of the area,” said Janzen, Cedar River charges $25 a visit after an initial as- sessment is done which costs $35. ft then bills MSP a minimum $5.65 to a maximum $13.75 a visit depending upon the service provided. If a person is now to be exempted from MSP assis- tance, he or she will have lo pay some of that, said Jan- zen. Van added to mammography purchase price package HEALTH CARE officials hope the timing of a Chicago irade show will help speed up the arrival of a new mam- mography machine here. The show, an annual event featuring the latest in dia- gnostic imaging devices, was held two weeks ago. Attending it was the same physicist who ordered an old mammogram unit al Mills Memorial Hospital shut down this fall, But having him at the show and completely familiar with what’s needed here could be a big benefit, says Dieter Kuntz of the Terrace and Area Health Council. “I suggested to him that because there will be com- panies there with their equipment set up, there might be equipment that isn’t used but just like a new car, is like a demo,” said, Kuntz... Given, that “possibitiehe a eonkbany eatght Sell that ma’ thine” at ‘a’ lower than normal price and it would be available much quicker, Kuntz added, “He doesn’t have a carte blanche,” Kuntz said of the physicist, “but he lias agreed to assist us with the specs and so on.” A traditional approach might not see bids being re- turned until perhaps the end of December. Not that bad, says MLA And after that there would be a waiting period until the machine that was chosen arrives in Terrace, said Kuntz. “It’s a bit unusual,” said Kuntz of the plan, but noted the timing of the Chicago trade show might work in the health council’s favour. TEE Se In the meantime, the cost of replacing the mammo- graphy machine here has risen past the $180,000 first set out to $240,000. That’s because the unit will be mobile, permitting it to be taken ta outlying areas. To make that plan work better, a specially-modified van will be bought, says Kuntz, “There ,are two places that can do the modifications 2 anthwe it be? ‘getting ‘the specs “Yeddy fdr-tendety*he: said hye ea kin old unit. at..Mills was stationary, meaning that 7 Th women needing a mammogram from places such as Ste- wart, the Nass Valley and Dease Lake had to travel to Terrace. Buying a unit that can be used at Mills and taken on the road is considered a bonus: in terms of regional health care. 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Oversize Trees, 10’ $50 Fresh Wreaths, 24” dia $25 Kissing Balls $25 Phone to place order 635-5427 Boy Scouts Are Selling At Canadian Tire Dec. 8th 1 pm « : 6pm Weakdays: *Tpm + 94m Fridays 10am": dpm Weekends Variety of Species & Sizes Prices Vary from $20-$40 | NEID ENTERPRISES * Ol Raso td | ®Scot $ Pine $20.00 each CUTS IN health care and prescription drug coverage sound worse than they ac- tually are, says Skeena B.C. Liberal MLA Roger Harris. Harris said even despite the cuts, B.C. will remain the only province to give coverage for massage and ~ naturopathy services. “And Alberta, Saskat- chewan and Ontario are the only other provinces where physio and chiro- practic services are covered.” Harris noted the govern- ment had to cui its costs Teale because heatth care ex- penses continue to grow. “At the end of the day, this still leaves people with a choice, more choice than any other pro- vinee in the country, It’s tough; there’s no doubt about it,” said Harris. He said low income people who are on premi- um assistance will still re- ceive a benefit when it comes to services. And Hasris noted that one change will do away with the need for a doc- tor’s referral for some ser- vices. it right. So if at times they fall short, let their editors know, If they can't solve the problem, contact the B.C, Press Council, a voluntary body that looks into and tries to " mediate unresolved reader complaints about news and opinion in B.C. newspapers, ee - B.C. Press COUNCIL Roger Harris Did you know, B.C.’s Children’s Hospital is the only facility of its kind in the province of B.C., and is the sole source of specialty care for seriously ill and injured children? 201-1290 Broad Street, Victoria, B.C, VBW 2A5 tls, \Ph. 250-384-3344 aFEONA Fax: 250-384-3346 Cnlidrerrs Hospital wiww.kidslelethan.com 4-888-563-3033 E-mail; council@bepresscounciLarg Web: bepresscouncil,arg too Have all your gifts beautifully wrapped. Nop present large. 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