Private clinic changes fees to stay legal

A private health clinic in Vancouver has adjusted its fee structure because B.C.'s health minister said charging an enrolment fee likely goes against the Canada Health Act.

The Copeman Healthcare Centre opened in Vancouver last November, charging patients a one-time enrolment fee of $1,200 and an annual fee of $2,300.

Copeman clinic in Vancouver (File photo)

• FROM NOV. 22, 2005: Vancouver clinic fuels private health care debate

Don Copeman, the clinic's founder, had announced plans to open three more clinics in Ontario, which triggered reaction by the Ontario Health Coalition.

The coalition released a legal opinion this week saying the plan to open more Copeman clinics there would be illegal, and that Copeman could be fined if he set up his business in Ontario.

• LINK: Legal opinion on Copeland Healthcare Inc. (.pdf)

Then on Wednesday, B.C. Health Minister George Abbott agreed there was a legal problem that the Copeman clinic in Vancouver couldn't continue to operate under its original fee structure.

"The annual fee does not appear to be a problem, but the enrolment fee, because it is a barrier to access, would appear to be in violation of the Canada Health Act and the Medicare Protection Act," he said.

• FROM FEB. 1, 2006: Private clinic breaking the law, says minister

Copeman was quick to respond announcing that he has done away with the $1,200 enrolment fee, rolling it into the first year's service fee.

"It was bad optics, we admit that now," he said. "We didn't want to create the impression of being a club or anything. We were just trying to recoup the higher costs we incur in our programs in the first year."

• RELATED STORY: Ontario warns private clinic firm it faces fines

Copeman met with senior Ontario health ministry officials on Thursday to discuss his plans to open three clinics in Ontario beginning in May.

The Vancouver businessman has also hired his own law firm to craft a legal opinion supporting his plan to open a dozen new clinics across Canada this year.

• INTERVIEW: The Early Edition's Rick Cluff speaks with Don Copeman.

• INDEPTH: Health care in Canada