The OMA Agreement 2019: What You Need to Know
The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the government of Ontario have recently signed the 2019 Physician Services Agreement (PSA), commonly known as the OMA Agreement. This agreement is an important development in the healthcare sector and will have significant impacts on physicians, patients, and the overall healthcare system in Ontario.
The OMA Agreement was negotiated after a long-standing dispute between the medical association and the government. The OMA had been without a contract since 2014, and negotiations had stalled several times in the past few years. However, in 2019, both parties sat down and were able to reach an agreement that benefits all concerned parties.
The OMA Agreement includes several key provisions that will have a direct impact on patients. Firstly, the agreement provides for an increase in physician fees by 3.5%. This increase will apply to all physicians who participate in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). This increase is significant because it is the largest increase in physician fees in nearly a decade. It will help provide stability to the healthcare sector and attract and retain physicians in Ontario.
Another significant provision of the OMA Agreement is the commitment to providing patients with more access to healthcare services. The agreement provides for the creation of new physician services, including home care visits and telemedicine appointments. This means that patients will have more options to receive medical care, especially those in rural areas or those who are unable to travel long distances to see their doctors.
The OMA Agreement also includes provisions that address the issue of physician burnout. The agreement provides for the creation of a new physician wellness program, which will provide support and resources to physicians who experience burnout or other health-related issues. This is important because physician burnout is a significant problem in the healthcare sector, and addressing it will help improve the quality of care provided to patients.
Additionally, the OMA Agreement includes provisions that address the ongoing issue of physician shortages in Ontario. The agreement provides for the creation of a new physician recruitment and retention strategy, which will help attract and retain physicians in Ontario. This is important because Ontario has faced a shortage of physicians in recent years, particularly in rural areas.
In conclusion, the OMA Agreement 2019 is an important development in the healthcare sector in Ontario. It provides for the creation of new services, addresses the issue of physician burnout, and helps attract and retain physicians in Ontario. Patients will benefit from increased access to healthcare services, and the overall healthcare system will benefit from the stability provided by the agreement.