PAYMENT TO DOCTORS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 283, 26 August 1944, Page 8

PAYMENT TO DOCTORS

Otago B.M.A. Supports FeeForrService Method (By Telegraph.-—Press Association.) • DUNEDIN, August 24. It ;ras announced today by the president of the Otago division of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, Dr. Clark Hanan, that alter a discussion on the subject of health insurance, the division at a recent meeting had decided to support the practice of the fce-for-service system. Dr. Hanan explained that in effect this decision meant direct acceptance by the doctor in full settlement from tlie Department of Health of fee for the medical service performed. „ , , . At present there were four methods ot obtaining payment for services rendered. These were: (1) The operation of a system on a salary basis which was carried out in isolated districts; (2) the capitation method by which a doctor was remunerated with a fixed sum per annum for each person; (3) the so-called fee-for-service method by which the doctor claimed from the Health Department the sum of 7/6 for each item of service performed; and (4) the refund system, under which the doctors account was rendered to his patient, who was then entitled to claim the refund of i/6 from the Health Department. The division has also decided to support tlie holding of a referendum of the whole profession in order to obtain the opinion of members serving overseas. For this purpose, Dr. Hanan added, a suitable questionnaire was being drawn tip for consideration by the New’ Zealand branch of the B.M.A.