Medical Benefits

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32361, 29 July 1970, Page 16

Medical Benefits

Sir, —Recently a circular letter received from the Social Security Department stated that, being a beneficiary, I was eligible for an increased medical benefit No mention in the circular that the new legislation did not apply to all general practitioners. When I visit my doctor (fee $1.50), I pay $1.50, later receiving a refund warrant for $1.50 (previously 75c). My wife (a beneficiary) visited a different general practitioner whose receptionist stated his fee Was $1.50. I understood from the general practitioner that a non-beneficiary paid 75c from the Social Security Department For the beneficiary, the general practitioner quoted the benefit number and claimed $1.50 from the department and my wife paid 75c, with no refund. If the 75c is not refundable, how does the beneficiary benefit? —Yours, etc., CURIOUS. July 20, 1970. [Mr C. L. Waters, acting registrar of the Social Security Department replies: “When the medical benefits for medical services rendered to certain beneficiaries, pen- . sioners, war veterans, and their dependants was increased from 75 cents to $1.50 this department was asked to issue a certificate to all persons qualified to receive the increased benefit Production of this certificate to a doctor is accepted as evidence of en- ' titlement to the medical benefit, and the doctor claims on ' the Health Department for ' the increased benefit on the patient’s behalf; or if the 1 doctor does not claim but charges the patient his full fee, then the patient should make the claim on the Health I Department The matter of what charge the doctor makes to the patient above the benei fit is, of course, one for agreei ment between the doctor and i the patient.”] '