Bulletin 220604 — Aboriginal Midwife Requested Assessments
New: Aboriginal Midwife requested assessments effective July 1, 2022
To: All Physicians
Category: Physician Services
Written by: Provider Services Branch; OHIP, Pharmaceuticals and Devices Division
Date issued: June 15, 2022
Background
The Ministry of Health (ministry) is making changes to the Physician Schedule of Benefits (Schedule) to help improve equitable access to care for clients of Aboriginal Midwives. Changes will permit Aboriginal Midwives to make direct referrals to physicians, including specialists, and to directly order prenatal ultrasounds.
The term “Aboriginal Midwife” refers to midwives practicing under the exemption in the Regulated Health Professions Act (1991), whereby they are not required to be members of the College of Midwives of Ontario (CMO). This exemption recognizes and supports the autonomy of Indigenous midwives to provide traditional midwifery services to Indigenous persons or members of an Indigenous community.
As of July 1, 2022, the direct referral process for clients to physicians, including specialists will be consistent for all practicing midwives in Ontario. Physicians will be eligible for payment by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) for an assessment requested by a midwife registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario (registered midwife) or an Aboriginal Midwife. These changes will promote continuity of care within a culturally appropriate context for clients.
Claims payment for physicians
Effective July 1, 2022, physicians can claim existing fee codes in the Schedule when providing Aboriginal Midwife requested assessments.
The following list of fee codes have been updated to allow payment when an assessment is requested by either a registered midwife or an Aboriginal Midwife.
| Fee Code | Description |
|---|---|
| A/C816 | Midwife or Aboriginal Midwife-Requested Anaesthesia Assessment (MAMRAA) |
| A/C813 | Midwife or Aboriginal Midwife-Requested Assessment (MAMRA) |
| A/C815 | Midwife or Aboriginal Midwife-Requested Special Assessment (MAMRSA) |
| A/C800 | Midwife or Aboriginal Midwife-requested genetic assessment |
| A/C801 | Comprehensive midwife or Aboriginal Midwife-requested genetic assessment |
| A/C802 | Extended midwife or Aboriginal Midwife-requested genetic assessment |
| K224 | Clinical interpretation requested by a midwife or Aboriginal Midwife |
Additionally, ultrasound for normal, complicated or high-risk pregnancy (but not for the postpartum period) rendered in an Independent Health Facility or hospital is insured when referred by a registered midwife or Aboriginal Midwife.
Use of Aboriginal Midwife referral number in submitting claims
The Aboriginal Midwives' six-digit OHIP identification number is required when submitting claims for Aboriginal Midwife requested assessment and Aboriginal Midwife referred ultrasound. For information on obtaining an Aboriginal Midwife OHIP identification number, please contact midwifery@ontario.ca.
Keywords/tags
Aboriginal Midwife; Aboriginal Midwife Requested Assessments; Aboriginal Midwife Referred Ultrasound
Contact information
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