Ontario cracks down on unfair health fees

Summary#

This Ontario bill aims to stop “unfair fees” being charged to patients for health care. It adds new patient protections and stronger penalties for health professionals and clinics that charge unfair fees. It takes effect once it becomes law.

• Adds “fairness” to how health professionals must treat people.
• Makes charging an “unfair fee” professional misconduct, with a full refund to the patient and a mandatory 3‑month licence suspension.
• Requires each health profession’s regulator (“college”) to include steps to prevent and handle unfair fees in its patient‑relations program.
• Lets regulators define what counts as an “unfair fee,” with government approval.
• Allows the government to suspend or revoke a community health clinic’s licence if it charges unfair fees.
• Limits the government’s ability to remove services from a clinic’s licence unless there is reason to believe those services involve unfair fees.

What it means for you#

• Patients

  • Stronger protection from surprise or excessive charges for services.
  • If charged an unfair fee, you could get your money back and the provider could face a 3‑month suspension.
  • Clearer place to complain: your provider’s regulatory college must have steps to prevent and deal with unfair fees.
  • The exact meaning of “unfair fee” will be set in rules, so details will come later.

• Health professionals (doctors, nurses, therapists, etc.)

  • Charging an unfair fee (or having someone charge it on your behalf) can lead to a finding of misconduct.
  • Mandatory penalties apply: repay the patient in full and serve a 3‑month suspension of your licence.
  • You will need to follow new college rules on fees and patient relations.
  • Review billing practices, staff training, and third‑party billing to avoid unfair fees.

• Community health clinics

  • Your licence can be suspended or revoked if the clinic charges unfair fees.
  • The ministry cannot remove services from your licence unless it believes those specific services involve unfair fees.
  • Expect new oversight of how you set and collect fees.

• Regulators (health profession colleges)

  • Must define “unfair fee” in a regulation, with government approval.
  • Must add measures to prevent and address unfair fees in patient‑relations programs.
  • Will need processes to investigate complaints and order refunds and suspensions.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Protects patients from being overcharged and helps keep care affordable.
• Clear penalties (refunds and suspensions) will deter unfair billing.
• Adds “fairness” as a core value in patient care.
• Creates consistent standards across health professions and clinics by defining “unfair fee” in rules.
• Helps preserve access to services by preventing licence changes that remove services unless unfair fees are involved.

Opponents' View#

• “Unfair fee” is not defined in the bill, creating uncertainty until rules are set.
• A mandatory 3‑month suspension may be too harsh for minor or accidental billing mistakes and could reduce access if few providers serve an area.
• Adds administrative work and compliance costs for clinics and regulators.
• Limits the government’s ability to adjust a clinic’s licensed services for reasons other than unfair fees, such as quality concerns or changing local needs.
• Could discourage providers from offering certain services if the fee rules are unclear or strict.