The South Bruce Grey Health Centre will soon start billing patients for uninsured lab tests.
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan covers the cost of most lab tests, but there are some specialized, non-routine tests that are not covered.
Until now, the health centre has absorbed the cost for most uninsured tests, with the exception of AST, PSA, Vitamin 'D' and Folate testing.
But in a news release, health centre President and CEO Paul Rosebush says the organization is no longer in a financial position to continue this practice.
Effective June 1, lab requisition forms given to patients will indicate the cost associated with the uninsured tests.
A full list of the uninsured laboratory tests and costs associated is available on SBGHC’s website at www.sbghc.on.ca.
"We regret to have to re-direct these costs to our patients," explains Rosebush. "However, given our current financial position, this is one change we can make that will help to address our deficit that is consistent with practices across the province."
