No one is "assigned" a doctor and you already have to have one to fill out the meidcal to get on ODSP. So that makes no sense. It is often filled out by specialist because they have more knowledge then a GP on the disability. I have yet to hear of one doctor refusing a patient on ODSP. Maybe dentists, even though we interviewed a few clinics and all accepted ODSP, but doctors is a different story. We are covered by OHIP. A completely different plan and unisversal across the board so denying an ODSP patient because they are on ODSP makes no sense. They don’t have to find one, they already have one.My phrase was actually, "they (ODSP) don't' have Doctors assigned to them. " which is not the same as saying "No" Doctor. Obviously Doctors get paid by patient per year not matter their financial status. However, as you possibly know, Doctors don't take 'high touch' patients and ODSP by definition tend to be problematic patients. Thus, unlike refugees - at last those in Waterloo Region - who get assigned Doctors and the like - ODSP recipients are forced to find their own Doctors. No big deal right? Just like the rest of us. However, there's a twist here. If Doctors discover their status, they might find problems finding a Doctor and not know why. No one wants problematic patients. They're money/time losers. Thus, my main point was refugees are assigned medical care, not OSDPs don't have medical doctors.
Thus, I would argue I wasn't make it worse than it is, I'm pointing out the general realities that are ignored for those in many of these discussions. The local refugee program pay Dentists 100% btw and the Doctors work for Public Health so everyone is 'high touch'. It's quite a different experience.
For your ODSP friends that do have Dentists, hang on to them. Possibly less of an issue now with Federal coverage.
example...mind you I recognize the plural of anecdotes is not data
https://www.reddit.com/r/Odsp/comments/1ih4nco So illy dentist who I had prior to ODSP told me today I am not covered there with ODSP unfortunately. I then called the 5 other dentists in my town only to find out this is common practice. A couple said they have a few ODSP spots but they fill fast ....So whereas all insurance companies pay X, ODSP just pays Y. One example I was given was a basic exam. Insurance companies pay 44 and ODSP pays 19. Now he said magnify this with expensive procedures. Basically it’s just not worth their time to take ODSP patient.
This could be true of vision care as well. I don't know and I'm too lazy to ask around.
Again, I'm not saying the system is not already an issue but no doctors and no dentist is just not the reality as I have experienced and certainly not one that you have proved with data. Reddit is not stats. Small towns all have issues with health care. There are not enough doctors or dentist to go around and that may also play a factor into this.
Also, a lot of people don't know about discretionary funds. Including dentists who can get more but they don't know how. Education in these areas would help.
However, I stand by my opinion. There is no need to try and make it sound worse. It is bad enough on its own. I mean I think we agree it is already a difficult program that needs an overhaul, no? And we agree that our own should be cared for first, no?
I just saying that outright is maybe the better way to go. ODSP needs an overhaul and those people should be taken care of better and first before refugees. Point blank period. Nothing more really needs to be said. Just my opinion though. If I can agree with your main point but find flaws in your arguement, then the main point gets lost. Making it sound worse feels like forcing sympathies and that turns people off. Can't fight with the direct factual approach. But you know me - I like it direct. LOL.
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