Morning Mr. Morton - My question this morning is a simple one - drop-dead simple. Alas, though I've asked the CPSO, and others, I get no answer. So I'm hoping you might help. Is it illegal in Ontario to practice medicine without a lisence? If so - would Ontario auto insurance adjusters rejecting the diagnosis and prognosis of attending physicians count as practicing medicine? True, the adjusters aren't prescribing treatment. But they are deciding which prescribed medical treatment is in fact reasonable and necessary - and which isn't. Any thoughts?
It is illegal to practice medicine without a licence. It amounts to Unauthorized Performance of a Controlled Act, contrary to the Regulated Health Professions Act. That said, defining what practicing medicine amounts to can prove tricky and adjusters declining coverage would almost certainly not amount to it. Remember, they aren't saying what can or cannot be done -- they are only saying they won't pay for it... .
Thanks for your response. You are right that the adjusters don't say what treatment can or can't be done but rather what they will pay for versus what they deem as unnecessary and therefore won't pay for. But for treatment not covered by OHIP - in the real world - what they won't pay for the accident victim won't/can't get - expensive cognitive retraining in brain injury cases for example. A brain injured mva victim being denied income replacement and treatment benefits is unlikely to have the cash to pay for cognitive retraining. So the distinction you make - as it plays out in the real world - is a distinction without a difference - is it not? Seems to me to illustrate how law in text versus law in daily practice can be wildly contradictory? You are right to say this is "tricky" stuff. That said - does the point I'm trying to make - make sense?
.. back to bears. You've no doubt heard what the Mother bear did with her 3 new offspring at the Toronto Zoo. Apparently a very rare occurrence.
I know you love bears James - I do as well - but honestly don't you find the very concept of zoos -with animals in captivity in totally foreign environments totally primitive, barbaric even.
Morning Mr. Morton - My question this morning is a simple one - drop-dead simple. Alas, though I've asked the CPSO, and others, I get no answer. So I'm hoping you might help. Is it illegal in Ontario to practice medicine without a lisence? If so - would Ontario auto insurance adjusters rejecting the diagnosis and prognosis of attending physicians count as practicing medicine? True, the adjusters aren't prescribing treatment. But they are deciding which prescribed medical treatment is in fact reasonable and necessary - and which isn't. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteIt is illegal to practice medicine without a licence. It amounts to Unauthorized Performance of a Controlled Act, contrary to the Regulated Health Professions Act. That said, defining what practicing medicine amounts to can prove tricky and adjusters declining coverage would almost certainly not amount to it. Remember, they aren't saying what can or cannot be done -- they are only saying they won't pay for it... .
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response. You are right that the adjusters don't say what treatment can or can't be done but rather what they will pay for versus what they deem as unnecessary and therefore won't pay for. But for treatment not covered by OHIP - in the real world - what they won't pay for the accident victim won't/can't get - expensive cognitive retraining in brain injury cases for example. A brain injured mva victim being denied income replacement and treatment benefits is unlikely to have the cash to pay for cognitive retraining. So the distinction you make - as it plays out in the real world - is a distinction without a difference - is it not? Seems to me to illustrate how law in text versus law in daily practice can be wildly contradictory? You are right to say this is "tricky" stuff. That said - does the point I'm trying to make - make sense?
ReplyDelete.. back to bears. You've no doubt heard what the Mother bear did with her 3 new offspring at the Toronto Zoo. Apparently a very rare occurrence.
ReplyDeleteI know you love bears James - I do as well - but honestly don't you find the very concept of zoos -with animals in captivity in totally foreign environments totally primitive, barbaric even.
Daria S