Two-day OMA COLLABORATIVE SESSION ON MENTAL HEALTH: Ont. Med. Review July/Aug 2014 26-28 (Ms B KLICH-)

(BLOG COMMENT)
OHIP (Ont.Health Ins.Plan) does not pay for PhD CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS . OHIP pays GPs who do "GP-psychotherapy"  $125.50/ 50 minutes.. No time limit for treatment. No specific training required.. Any GP can bill for Primary Mental Health. or GP-psychotherapy. Public Health doctors with limited clinical experience can add to their retirement pension working for Psychiatrists who have a Psych clinic. The GP-psych takes 70% of the OHIP fee. The Psychiatrist can have a "stable" of GPs paying 30% for office and overheads.. Research of the four main Toronto clinics show that patients are not screened for organic disease. Many have simple social problems more suitable for a Social worker. GPs working in the clinics are expected to extend treatment to at least 12 treatments a= $1500+..In Ontario the Psychologists do not object. They can bill Private Insurers or the patient directly. Avoiding OHIP fee control.