Ontario Court Declines to Hear Appeal in Doctor Billing Dispute

The physician had been ordered to repay approximately $600,000 plus $35,000 in interest after the Ontario Health Insurance Plan determined the fees were not properly billed. An earlier ruling by the Health Services Appeal and Review Board upheld the repayment requirement.

The physician stated the clinics involved dozens of medical students who were not registered in the provincial billing system, so her name appeared on the receipts. She said the fees covered preparation and oversight responsibilities in addition to administering the vaccines.

The physician told CBC that she believes the province pursued repayment because it has forgotten the urgency of the pandemic period. She said the focus at the time was on taking necessary action during a medical emergency. She added that the legal process has taken time away from her medical practice and family.

The physician said some other doctors have stopped running drive-thru vaccination clinics as a result of similar disputes.

The Ontario Medical Association said physicians were asked to step up during the pandemic to administer vaccines and save lives. The association stated it is difficult to see someone acting in good faith later become the target of repayment demands. The physician said she has not yet received a date for any further proceedings. The health ministry did not respond to a request for comment.