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Nova Scotia Health Claims Program Needs Overhaul
15 Sep
Summary
- Auditor general cites unclear patient routes for medical care.
- Duplication of efforts by health departments caused delays.
- Recommendations aim to improve access to out-of-province treatment.
Nova Scotia's auditor general has highlighted significant challenges patients face when seeking medical care not available within the province. A recent report indicates that the route for accessing out-of-province and out-of-country medical treatments is often unclear and difficult.
Kim Adair's review, released on September 15, 2026, identified a duplication of efforts between the Health Department and the program administrator. This overlap contributed to slowed response times for patients requiring specialized treatments for conditions such as eye cancer, lymphedema, gender dysphoria, or lung transplants.
The auditor general's report also found that essential information regarding the claims program was not easily accessible to physicians or the public. In response, eight recommendations have been put forward to streamline the process. Health Minister Michelle Thompson has indicated that these recommendations have been accepted and are expected to be implemented within the next year.
