Why are doctors CAPPED? And hockey players ***** about a CAP?

[Master]

That's incorrect. They can go private.. but if they do, they can't charge the government for any public sector work.

We will have private health care system then! Most Canadians are afraid of that.

The govt doesn't allow doctors to go private...So there you go!

[bdckr]

That's incorrect. They can go private.. but if they do, they can't charge the government for any public sector work.

I don't think they are allowed to do that. This is the 2-tier system.

Here's an article (pdf)that explains it.

d_jedi is right that you can opt out of the public plan and bill people directly. He's also right that you cannot bill the government for the entire duration that you choose to bill privately.

It's not a two-tier system because a doctor in Ontario can't charge more than the regulated fees set out by the government. So whether you bill the government or bill the patient directly, you can only bill what is laid out in the schedule of fees. Extra-billing is prohibited. So even if your doctor were billing you directly, it would be no more than what he would get from the government, and you would be able to get the money back from the government.

That's why there is no incentive for a doctor in Ontario to opt out. And even if he/she did, it would all be at the same price.

Edit: Some of the other provinces (the table in the article summarizes it) do allow for opted out physicians to bill more.

[d_jedi]

We will have private health care system then! Most Canadians are afraid of that.

The govt doesn't allow doctors to go private...So there you go!

Yes, they do. I'm sure there are better sources for this, but this is the best I can find with a quick google search:

Or rather, it is to prohibit the mixing of private and public funds. Contrary to popular belief, the Canada Health Act does not prevent doctors from charging patients out of pocket, or patients from paying them. But to do so, both parties must "opt out" of medicare altogether: They cannot also claim reimbursement.

The principle -- either you're in or you're out -- is a sound one. If providers are allowed to "extra-bill" for services provided under medicare, the effect is to give those who can pay more first call on public dollars.