Auto Insurance

• OCA Consultation

Extended Health Care (EHC)

• What is Extended Health Care?
• Working with Extended Health Care stakeholders
• Publicly funded X-ray

Government Relations

• Funding options advocacy efforts
• Regulated Health Professionals Act – update
• Advocating for the profession

Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB)

• Regional Evaluation Centres
• Health Professionals Liaison Committee

1. OCA Consultation
   
   Much effort has gone into consultation with the government and insurers on:
   
   
   • Development of new Pre-Approved Frameworks;
     
     
   • Attaining inflationary fee increases;
     
     
   • Establishment of HCAI – ensuring that practitioner rights are protected in the use of the system and that the system is as “user friendly” for practitioners as possible.

1. What is Extended Health Care?
   
   Extended Health Care (EHC) plans are also sometimes called supplementary health or supplementary medical plans. Their purpose is to supplement provincial health care.
   
   There are two basic types of Extended Health Care plans: group and individual. The most common type of EHC coverage in Canada is provided through workplace group benefits programs arranged by employers, unions and trade and professional associations. Group EHC plans are considered by Canadians to be among the most important workplace benefits an employer can offer.
2. Working with Extended Health Care stakeholders
   
   The OCA is focusing much attention on demonstrating the benefits of chiropractic to Ontario’s employers, employees and insurance companies. Concurrent grassroots marketing and extended health care strategies, designed to promote the needs of the patient have reinforced these efforts.
   
   Through the OCA’s enhanced education and communications initiatives we can continue to improve awareness about the benefits of chiropractic care.
3. Publicly funded X-ray
   

   
   The OCA continues to advocate for direct access to publicly funded X-ray facilities for our patients.

1. Funding options advocacy efforts
   
   The Ontario government’s de-listing of chiropractic services in 2004 has been especially harmful to vulnerable populations who generally do not have private health insurance.
   
   In order to find solutions to this problem, the OCA commissioned the DeGroot School of Business and Ward Health Strategies to provide funding options for “re-listing” chiropractic services for Ontario’s seniors, working poor and those on social assistance. Please click in the list at right to see the final Funding Options Report.
2. Regulated Health Professionals Act – update
   
   The OCA actively participated in the Bill 171 consultations – our voice was heard, although there has still been no movement on two significant outstanding regulatory issues for chiropractors: access to sophisticated diagnostic imaging, such as diagnostic ultrasound and MRI; and access to laboratory testing. We will continue to engage in dialogue with government decision makers on these important issues.
3. Advocating for the profession
   
   In 2007, the OCA ramped up its advocacy efforts with all levels of government and bureaucracy. Activities were co-ordinated within the context of the upcoming provincial election, and focused on enhancing access to chiropractic services.
   
   Additionally, local involvement in advocacy by OCA members has helped to raise chiropractic’s profile in communities across the province. Member involvement at the riding level is a key element to our government relations activities. To support this, the OCA has incorporated a Riding Designates program, in which each riding has one or more chiropractors dedicated to communicating with its MPP or political candidate, regardless of party affiliation.
   
   Riding Designates will maintain positive relationships with MPPs, enabling the members to discuss key issues with these decision makers when called upon by the OCA.

1. Regional Evaluation Centres
   
   In 2006, the OCA reported it was working with the WSIB to review the Regional Evaluation Centre program (REC). The OCA was successful in ensuring the multidisciplinary nature of the RECs. This was an important issue to our members, as the revised system benefits chiropractic patients.
2. Health Professionals Liaison Committee
   
   At the urging of the OCA and other health professionals, the WSIB established the Health Professionals Liaison Committee to assist with identifying and resolving non-clinical, administrative issues for practitioners. OCA is one of four professional associations on the fee setting advisory committee, which is the oversight committee for the WSIB’s Programs of Care (POC), fee schedules and other health professional issues. Since the adoption of the Programs of Care, the WSIB does not enter into bilateral negotiations with any health profession on fees or any issue which affects other professions.
   
   The OCA is working with the WSIB on a proposed fee-for-service increase, which is now in development. Current Program of Care activity is centred on chronic low back pain. The OCA’s representative in the development of this POC is Dr. Rhonda Kirkwood.