Manitobans injured in a motor vehicle accident will receive quicker confirmation of coverage and delivery of benefits under changes to the Reimbursement of Expenses (Universal Bodily Injury Compensation) Regulation under the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act, Attorney General Andrew Swan, minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), announced.
Amendments to the regulation will recognize three practitioner groups – nurse practitioners, physician assistants and clinical assistants – for the purpose of administering benefits under the Personal Injury Protection Plan. In addition, the amendment will allow reimbursement for orthoses and prosthesis prescribed by occupational therapists.
“These enhancements will be particularly beneficial to Manitobans living in rural and northern regions where these practitioners may be the most readily available medical personnel,” Swan said. “This amendment will allow these three practitioner groups to administer care and be compensated within the Personal Injury Protection Plan.”
The amendments have no financial impact on the Government of Manitoba and no overall financial impact on Manitoba Public Insurance, said Swan. It is anticipated there will be a net cost saving for Manitobans residing in remote communities since having medical practitioners recognized by MPI in the community will reduce the necessity for medical travel.
Nurse practitioners, physician assistants and clinical assistants are newly recognized medical professionals who now administer medical care within the province. All three practitioner groups perform some duties similar to physicians such as conducting patient exams and prescribing medications.
Specifically, the regulation amendment will permit injured Manitobans to be reimbursed for:
• medical or paramedical care provided by members of the three practitioner groups and not covered by Manitoba Health (this will mainly involve preparing medical reports for MPI);
• massage therapy performed by nurse practitioners (physician assistants and clinical assistants have not been added to the provider list for this treatment modality);
• grief counselling prescribed by members of the three practitioner groups;
• ambulance transportation prescribed by members of the three practitioner groups; and
• footwear, clothing, medical appliances and medical equipment prescribed by members of the three practitioner groups.
“By recognizing nurse practitioners, physician assistants and clinical assistants, MPI will be able to improve coverage and delivery of benefits,” said Swan.
“It is expected the increase in these practitioner groups will improve health care delivery in remote, rural and urban locations throughout Manitoba.”
