Physicians bill the RAMQ a fortune to participate in sessions of vaccination against influenza in the evenings and weekends when their presence is not required.
Some can earn up to $ 5,000 in less than a day, according to information obtained by our Bureau of Investigation.
Of the South Shore family doctors working in public health clinics supplement their income by participating in these immunization sessions against the flu outside normal office hours.
Reportedly, a doctor who has practiced at Carrefour Richelieu Valley Medical Clinic in Beloeil, was even able to see more than 250 patients in a single vaccination session on a Saturday in November.
The examination of a patient retails on average $ 20, but can reach up to $ 100 depending on the heaviness of the cases, according to Professor at the University of Montreal and a specialist in medical Damien Contandriopoulos remuneration. Thus the amount of $ 5,000 is reached quickly.
Bar open
Two different sources who are entrusted to our Bureau of Investigation denounce the practice, referred to as "open bar" and "cash cow" for unscrupulous doctors.
"It's funny, it always happens on weekends or evenings, these sessions because doctors receive bonuses at this time," said one of these sources, familiar with the situation.
Recall that the Auditor General of Québec has seen cost overruns of $ 417 million in compensation for physicians in its report tabled in late November. One reason cited is the high number of bonuses they are entitled to claim.
No need to doctor
By law, the presence of a doctor is in no way required to administer a vaccine against influenza. Moreover, doctors who charge for these sessions do not even give the vaccine and simply supervise the nurse pricks the patient.
In all CLSCs in Quebec, there has never doctors present during immunization sessions. The nurses do work alone.
"The doctor does not need to be there. What is he doing here? There are plenty of pharmacies and CLSCs which offer free vaccination, "says a source.
Perfectly legal
In an article dated 2007 in the journal The Physician Quebec, Dr. Michel Desrosiers, who is also a lawyer and director of professional affairs at the Federation of General Practitioners of Québec (FMOQ), says that this practice is completely legal .
"You are entitled to claim compensation for an ordinary or full review but can then claim specific fee for vaccination included therein," he explains in an article entitled The sessions organization vaccination.
Dr. Desrosiers writes that everything the doctor has to do, to bill is "to be present [at the immunization session], meet and evaluate the patient to verify the particulars or cons-indications , answer questions and make sure they are willing to serve. "
"The vast majority of doctors prefer to perform and charge an examination, usually an ordinary examination [rather than to vaccinate themselves]. They can claim the supplement for vulnerable clients for their registered patients "- Dr. Michel Desrosiers," The organization of immunization sessions, "The Doctor of Quebec, October 2007
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