June 22 , 2001

Subsidizing Medical Information

Effective June 15th, SGI will assist drivers in paying physicians and optometrists for SGI-requested medical information. Initially, SGI will pay a subsidy of $40 for physical and vision examinations and $75 for specialists reports.

"We are very proud Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada that has decided to help motorists with these costs," Crown Investments Corporation Minister Maynard Sonntag said.

The payment and administration of these fees has been simplified through an agreement between Saskatchewan Health and SGI. Doctors will bill the department of health directly for these services and the department will in turn bill SGI.

This, and other policy changes to SGI’s Medical Review Unit, are the direct result of an SGI and Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) working committee that recently concluded an analysis of the unit. The Medical Review Unit at SGI is responsible for monitoring drivers with medical conditions that could affect their ability to drive safely.

"The co-operation between SGI, the SMA and Saskatchewan Health has been really gratifying," Sonntag said. "As a result of the group’s hard work, I am confident service has been improved for all drivers being monitored with medical conditions while at the same time enhancing the safety of all other drivers on the road."

"The SMA was pleased to be actively involved in this process," SMA Executive Director Dr. Briane Scharfstein said. "The initial reaction we have had from physicians throughout Saskatchewan has also been extremely positive."

Other customer service improvements to the Medical Review Unit’s policies include reduced reporting requirements for drivers with stable medical conditions, the elimination of periodic monitoring for some medical conditions, a redesign of complex forms which will make the entire process easier for drivers and a streamlining of processes so SGI can respond more quickly to questions and problems.

SGI will provide more information to drivers being monitored for their medical conditions over the coming months. Anyone with questions can contact SGI's Medical Review Unit at 1-800-667-8015 ext. 6176.

For media inquiries only, contact:
Barbara Cross
Manager, Communications
SGI
Regina
(306) 751-1360

For all other inquiries, call 1-800-667-8015.

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