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MOH News

Jane Purvis • Edition: Summer 2020

Virtual Billing

Our work with the Ministry of Health over the last several months has been intense and challenging. As you know, rheumatologists along with all other physicians were told to move to virtual care at the start of the pandemic in mid-March. We complied promptly and quickly moved to telephone and video visits. As a group, we arranged for educational sessions to allow us to do this new care delivery in the best way possible, providing our ongoing excellent care, while keeping patients, our staff and ourselves safe. We have purchased protective equipment for our offices and continue to work to minimize risks for infection while taking care of our immunocompromised patients.

Unfortunately, the government of Ontario has not yet agreed to pay the equivalent of E078 on nonOTN video and phone visits. This, despite the fact that many patients cannot access high speed internet and that we are still being told to keep in person appointments to a minimum and to continue virtual care. The ORA has been and continues to work tirelessly on this issue, in discussion with the government as well as the OMA leadership and the other affected sections. Our resolve and that of the OMA has been unwavering.

Biosimilar switching in Ontario

On another government subject, just prior to the start of the pandemic the Ontario government was considering a biosimilar switch policy. This is now apparently on the back burner given the current situation and we will let you know if there are any changes to that.

SADIE

The EAP digital portal SADIE is now going to allow patient support program employees to submit your EAP requests electronically. This will avoid incomplete or illegible submissions and speed up approvals to days rather than weeks.

EAP

ORA members continue to meet with EAP every 3-4 months with our next meeting scheduled for July 10. On the table for discussion are Rituxan biosimilars, maintenance therapy for vasculitis, MTX subcutaneous formulations and treatment for secondary Raynaud’s. If you have any issues you’d like us to bring forward, please email admin@ontariorheum.ca

Other Articles in the Summer 2020 Newsletter

  • President's Message
  • Invitation from ACPAC Special Interest Group of the AHPA
  • RheumOpportunities Update
  • OMA Update
  • Communications Update
  • Executive Director Update
  • ORADE Report: Dr. Anas Makhzoum
  • ORADE Report: Dr. Vikram Tangri
Editions
  • Winter 2021
  • Fall 2020
  • Summer 2020
  • Winter 2020
  • Winter 2019
  • Fall 2019
  • Spring 2019
  • Winter 2018
  • Fall 2018
  • Summer 2018
  • Summer 2017
  • Spring 2017
  • Fall 2017
  • Archive
  • Meet the Speakers: ORA 20th Annual Scientific Meeting
Committees
Communications Informatics Models of Care OMA
Tags
Biosimilar CSDTH Models of Care OBRI OMA pCPA SADIE

Contributors

The ORA’s executive members are the core contributors to the newsletter. The ORA welcomes guest contributions to the newsletter from members-at-large and others in the rheumatology community.

Contributors
Ontario Rheumatology Association
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