RAP Conference Breakout #3: Consultative Workshop on Interim Federal Health Program

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

PRESENTER: Joy Baldwin – Manager of Interim Federal Health Program CIC NHQ

(PowerPoint available at

SESSION GOALS: power-point presentation / exchange of ideas / solution –oriented / address unique client groups / Feedback oriented

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QUESTION / DISCUSSION PERIOD – 20 min

DENTAL

  • “Too many barriers to the medications needed for dental care. Pharmacies say drug not covered.”
  • “Are some procedures across the board NEVER covered: root canal?”
  • “People answering the phone are not delivering the right messages.”
  • JOY BALDWIN: “We are not a benefit program…we are a humanitarian program. Websites and electronic information are being updated to reduce inefficient processes and previous lack of communication between pharmacy, medicine, and the departments involved. “

PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES:

  • “What is the ‘denial point’ / acceptance point?
  • JOY BALDWIN: “Optical requests go through her office… Mistrust with providers about acuity points/acceptance points because when they give a point that’s what they see on the applications. Still need to work with providers. Denials happen: One prescription per year unless good justification.
  • “We are getting letters from teachers about kids who can’t see.”
  • JOY BALDWIN: “Send a fax to me with case information”

TROUBLESHOOTING ISSUES

  • “We never know if they can even contact office – does it have to be health professional?
  • JOY BALDWIN: “Go through CIC officer to ensure no one is falling through cracks.”

INTERPRETER SERVICES

  • “Who makes request? What is the line of communication”
  • JOY BALDWIN: Can be billed through IFH…does not require medical letter and will not turn down for emergency services… also GOV’T responsibility

RAP Conference Breakout #3: Consultative Workshop on Interim Federal Health Program (cont’d)

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

OTTAWA SPO: PHARMACY/DENTIST:

  • “Only 2 Pharmacies and 2 Dentists will deal with clients. Shoppers Drug Mart will not.Is there a list of other service providers?”
  • JOY BALDWIN: If you are having difficulty with a service provider IFH will intervene on behalf - must go through CIC or email IFH

LONDON CROSS CULTURAL LEARNING CENTRE SPO:

  • “How many HIV cases came to Canada 2006”
  • Disclosures? Right to know? Privacy Issues? HIV with small children? Disclosure to school boards? Disclosure of adults of arrives as Refugees? Unprotected sex? Crimes? Duties to Declare?
  • JOY BALDWIN: Website on CIC has a guide to follow procedures. It’s not Joy’s role to handle this.JOSE LEBACH handles privacy issues instead of Joy. Clear guidelines needed for more effective communications.
  • Number of HIV cases in 2006=669: claimant/refugees/family class

CALGARY CATHOLIC IMMIGRATION SOCIETY SPO:

  • “Pharmacists say that they are not even familiar with IFH documents?”
  • JOY BALDWIN: IFH Advisory Committee plan to meet in September 2007 to discuss representation from all the medical associations to “unify flow of information.” Creating FACT SHEETS available on website. Providers will have quick reference – this should solve the problem.

CATHOLIC IMMIGRANT CENTRE OTTAWA SPO:

  • “What incentive can make for Doctors to want to be involved: struggle to find Physicians”
  • JOY BALDWIN: Has Agreed to write INTODUCTION LETTERS to help speed the process
  • “Have there been efforts to collaborate with schools and graduates of the medical and dental associations?”
  • JOY BALDWIN: Residency Programs are training young professionals to promote Refugee Services

ASSOCIATION FOR NEW CANADIANS, NFLD SPO:

  • “Availability of Physicians a problem. Who does prior-approval for services?

RAP Conference Breakout #3: Consultative Workshop on Interim Federal Health Program (cont’d)

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

CEILING RATES

  • “What are the ‘Ceiling Rates’ for Medical Plans - without ‘Ceiling Rates’ it becomes difficult to create long-term medical plans”
  • JOY BALDWIN: IFH avoids reporting ceilings otherwise the ceiling rate is what is used by SPOs to guarantee service

MONTREAL SPO: IFH Advisory Committee Member:

  • “…Problems are local but services are Provincial. Connection between IFH and services are not clear. People are trying to understand what is going on. We need to harmonize. Must have federal and provincial government involved in communication…”
  • JOY: We are working closely with each province to fill the gaps for each province to tailor services specific to provincial and local needs.

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National RAP Conference (Feb.19-23, 2007 – Vancouver B.C.)