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Health P.E.I. disputes auditor's overpayment claims
14 Jan
Summary
- Health P.E.I. contests auditor general's findings on overpaid radiology services.
- Premiums were paid for emergency services not met within required timelines.
- A sample audit found nearly half of emergency service premiums were improperly paid.
Health P.E.I. is pushing back against a critical report from the auditor general, which stated the province is overpaying a private Ontario company for after-hours radiology services. The core of the dispute lies in payments made for emergency services, which include premiums contingent on rapid delivery of results – within 30 minutes for potential strokes and 60 minutes for other emergencies.
The auditor general's office analyzed 30 billings and found that in almost half of the audited cases, premiums were paid for emergency services that did not meet the agreed-upon timeframes. One notable case involved a premium for a one-hour emergency service, yet the results were delayed by a staggering 36 hours.
Dr. Johan Viljoen, Health P.E.I.'s chief medical officer, argued that the timelines in the contract may not always be realistic and that failing to meet them doesn't necessarily indicate a failure in service. He suggested that radiologists, as professionals, prioritize cases based on acuity, and heavy workloads can lead to delays in reporting without compromising patient care. However, Green Party MLA Peter Bevan-Baker expressed concern over the unmet timelines, citing both fiscal responsibility and patient safety.
