Doctors of BC, along with other Provincial and Territorial Medical Associations (PTMAs), has joined the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) in calling for reforms regarding the Canada Disability Benefit and the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). While this benefit provides much-needed new support for British Columbians, the rollout of the new program will significantly increase the administrative burden for physicians.
A streamlined approach for patients and physicians alike
The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is a new federal benefit coming into effect on May 15. It provides funding for low- and modest-income working-aged people with disabilities. Introducing this benefit is intended to provide financial security for people with disabilities aged 18-64 and assist in addressing poverty as a social determinant of health. However, even with these benefits, significant concerns remain regarding the increased physician administrative burden on an already stretched health care system.
To be eligible for the CDB, applicants must first be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), a non-refundable tax credit administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that helps people with disabilities reduce their income tax. However, to apply for the DTC, applicants must have their disability or impairment certified by a physician through an online or paper form, which takes an average of 45 minutes to complete.
The CRA estimates that an additional 766,000 DTC applications will be submitted over the next five to six years—triple the current number and a 300% increase in the number of DTC forms physicians are requested to complete. This would result in the loss of 574,000 hours of physician time and potentially 1.7 million patient care visits to administrative tasks.
Advocating for workable solutions
Doctors of BC, the CMA, and other PTMAs are calling for a more streamlined approach to related processes and eligibility requirements, including implementing physician-informed recommendations, training for physicians, and more.
Once the new federal government is formed, Doctors of BC, the CMA, and other PTMAs will continue advocating to reduce the administrative burden on physicians. This includes significantly streamlining the existing form, accepting other forms or information as substitutes and improving integration with Electronic Health Records. We will continue to work for solutions that allow physicians to provide their patients with the care they deserve and provide a more straightforward process for applicants.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
