BC’s Medical Services Commission has filed for an injunction against Telus Health’s LifePlus program.
For a fee of $4,650 the first year, and $3,650 each year after, the program provides access to uninsured, non-primary, health care services.
That includes preventative care, and services like dietitians, but not services such as family doctors, or urgent care.
But the Commission, which oversees the province’s health insurance program, claims that Telus is charging patients for those services.
According to the province, an investigation launched in February revealed that patients were told they would need to pay an annual fee for a family doctor.
If those accusations are proven correct, the province says it would be a violation of the Medical Protection Act’s provision against billing for publicly-covered services.
Telus Health has denied the accusations, defending the program’s attempt to relieve pressure on the health care system.
In addition to the injunction, the province is seeking court orders to ban the LifePlus program from providing services covered by the province.
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