The Yukon Party is proposing that the Liberal government streamline payments to doctors and lessen physicians’ administrative burden.

It’s speaking out in the wake of a report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) on reducing red tape for doctors.

The CFIB report estimates the hours Yukon doctors spent doing unnecessary paperwork and administrative tasks are equivalent to more than 50,000 patient visits per year.

“The Liberal government’s doctor payment system is cumbersome, and adds a large administrative burden on local doctors,” Brad Cathers, the YP’s Health and Social Services critic, said April 4.

“CFIB is now joining previous calls from the Canadian Medical Association and the Yukon Medical Association to reduce the administrative burden on doctors so they can see more patients.

“This in turn would help Yukoners on the wait list who need a family doctor.”

The Yukon Party is suggesting the government look at the payment systems in other jurisdictions that use a more efficient system that prioritizes patient care over paperwork.

In addition, the Yukon Party has heard from territorial physicians that the Liberal government’s “cumbersome physician payment system is making it hard to convince doctors to move to the Yukon, or to provide locum coverage.

“No one wants to wait over three months to get paid, and new graduates from medical school cannot wait that long to pay their student loans.”

Cabinet communications staff were asked about the Yukon Party’s concerns and released a statement addressing the issues.

“In January, our government took immediate action when a backlog of physician claims was identified. This backlog was related to negotiated fee increases in the latest memorandum of understanding signed with the Yukon Medical Association,” the statement said.

“This has since been fully resolved and all claims have been paid up. As of March 8, 2023, Insured Health Services have paid over $1 million toward physician claims.”

The government now has a three-year agreement with the Yukon Medical Association.

“This agreement will help to increase Yukoners’ access to primary care while simultaneously supporting the dedicated health care providers in the territory and progressing with a digital health strategy for the territory,” the statement said.

“We are working together on a long-term solution to improve the electronic billing system. The Yukon Medical Association is an integral partner as we work towards these shared goals and we look forward to continuing that dialogue.

“We currently continue to work with the Yukon Medical Association to implement administrative details of the Attachment and Attraction Fund that is part of this agreement.

“This will reduce physician uncertainty and make the Yukon an even more attractive place to work.”

A recent letter received from the Yukon Medical Association notes members are optimistic that “the new agreement will be supportive of Yukon doctors once fully in place.”

“We are also reducing the burden on Yukon physicians by investing $4.1 million in physician and health care staff recruitment through Budget 2023-24, investing $4.4 million in the 1Health virtual care platform, and hiring more community nurses and nurse practitioners,” the statement added.

The government of Yukon has also recently expanded the “Find a Primary Care Provider” program to include nurse practitioners.

It has also extended pharmacists’ scope of practice to include prescribing and administering routine vaccines, extending prescriptions, and treating minor ailments.

“Under our leadership, the Yukon’s health care system is transforming and rebuilding following the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are working with our partners to improve access to trusted, people-centred, and integrated healthcare for all Yukoners,” said the statement.

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee was questioned on the issue last Thursday in the legislature, before MLAs took their Easter break.

Afterward, communications staff released a short statement from the minister.

“Our government continues to work in partnership with the Yukon Medication Association on a long-term solution regarding improvements needed in the electronic billing system,” she said.

“These conversations are ongoing with our partners as we move forward with planning for a digital health strategy for the territory.”

It’s important to note there are two separate issues here, McPhee added. They are:

1. A backlog related to negotiated fee increases in the latest memorandum of understanding signed with the Yukon Medical Association; and

2. Outstanding physician billings

“Regarding the first point, the majority of the backlog of retroactive payments, related to negotiated fee increases in the latest memorandum of understanding signed with the Yukon Medical Association, have been completed,” McPhee said.

“Regarding the second point, I have been informed there are still some outstanding physician billings. The Department of Health and Social Services is working diligently to have the majority of the outstanding claims paid in this coming pay period.

“Insured Heath Services is working one-on-one with individual physicians to resolve these billing concerns,” the minister said.