Private clinic x-ray exams could be funded by public money

Radiological exams performed in private clinics may soon be paid for with public money

The provincial government announced it will start footing the bill for a wider variety of medical imaging procedures.

Right now, Quebec’s health insurance board only covers radiological exams conducted in hospitals.

At privately owned clinics however, patients pay out-of-pocket for MRIs, ultrasounds, CT and CAT scans.

Quebec Health Minister Réjean Hébert made the announcement on Wednesday.

The expanded coverage is expected to be introduced gradually as of late April.

The CBC reported that the first private procedure slated for RAMQ coverage are ultrasounds.

The health minister has yet to release the cost of this new plan.

Some radiologists say that money would be better spent training more technicians to meet demand.

Flickr Photo by: Lance Catedral

STORY WRITTEN BY: ALYSSA TREMBLAY