Home / Health / Private Doctor Service Sparks P.E.I. Health Care Debate
Private Doctor Service Sparks P.E.I. Health Care Debate
24 Sep
Summary
- A private doctor service charges over $899 for house calls.
- Premier criticizes service, calls for it to be stopped.
- Service caters to tourists and paying Quebec residents.
A private medical service operating on Prince Edward Island, PEIDoctor.com, is drawing significant criticism and a government review. The company provides virtual, in-clinic, and concierge physician appointments primarily for international visitors and eligible out-of-province residents willing to pay for services. A standard daytime virtual consultation costs $229, with physician house calls outside Charlottetown starting at $899, a price the CEO acknowledges may be underpriced.
Premier Rob Lantz has publicly voiced strong disapproval, calling the for-profit model 'outrageous' and directing the Department of Health and Wellness to investigate. The review aims to determine the service's impact on healthcare access for Islanders and whether current policies adequately address the situation. The company's CEO stated that their services do not overlap with the public health insurance system, asserting that it's unfair for taxpayers to fund visitor medical expenses.
Despite the pushback, PEIDoctor.com plans to expand its services next year, hoping to increase its physician team and the number of consultations. The CEO acknowledged concerns about potentially drawing doctors away from the public system but suggested private opportunities could help attract and retain physicians by offering better financial benefits and flexible working hours than the public system typically provides.
