Saskatchewan Introduces New Legislation to License User-Pay MRI Services

Released on May 6, 2015

New legislation being introduced today will give patients the ability to choose to pay privately for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan in Saskatchewan.

“Reducing wait times and giving patients more choice over their own care decisions is a high priority for the people of Saskatchewan,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said.  “Wait times for many services are still too long.  Our government is committed to moving forward with new and innovative solutions to barriers that prevent the very best in patient access and satisfaction.”

The new legislation will allow for the creation of regulations that will require private clinics to provide a second scan to a patient on the public wait list at no charge every time a scan is provided to someone who chooses to pay for their own MRI.  A physician referral will still be required to obtain an MRI scan.

This arrangement is similar to agreements that are in place that allow for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) to purchase MRI scans.  In both agreements, the Roughriders and the WCB pay for an additional scan for a patient on the public wait list.

“The requirement for a private clinic to cover a second scan on the public wait list will increase fairness and access,” Duncan said.  “We are once again leading the way with an innovative, made-in-Saskatchewan approach to reducing wait times.”

Following passage of the Act and the establishment of regulations, private-pay MRI services could be offered in existing private MRI facilities as early as the spring of 2016.  This model will be evaluated after one year in order to ensure it is meeting the goals of improving access to safe, high quality care.

As of March 31, 2015, there are an estimated 4,000 – 5,000 patients waiting for MRI services in Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tmcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca