Manitoba willing to try MRI system that allows patients to pay for scans

WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government is willing to try a system that would allow patients to pay for MRI scans.

“We think that the system that was brought in Saskatchewan, the two for one system has a lot of merit. It is something I’m certainly willing to look at and try here in Manitoba,” Minister of Health Kelvin Goertzen said.

RELATED: Winnipeg continues to have Canada’s worst ER wait times

The Saskatchewan system, introduced last year, requires clinics to provide one MRI to a patient on the public wait list for every one patient who chooses to pay for a scan.

Goertzen’s department hasn’t received any offers of interest in that kind of partnership from the private sector as of yet but they’re ready to listen “Please send us your proposals,” he said.

It’s possible moving to a two for one MRI system like Saskatchewan’s would require legislation changes in Manitoba, said Goertzen.

RELATED: Saskatchewan law allowing people to privately pay for MRIs kicks in

The Saskatchewan system has come under fire recently from federal Health Minister, Jane Philpott who wrote a letter to the province’s health minister asking that the system be changed.

“I would like to see the province of Saskatchewan put an end to the current practice of encouraging private payment for diagnostic services,” it read.

WATCH: New Sask. law to allow patients to pay for MRI scans out-of-pocket

1:48 Province rolls out private MRIs, allowing patients with money to skip the line