Dr. Elaine Ma of Kingston is ordered to repay nearly $601,000 to OHIP after a COVID vaccine billing dispute.
The Ministry of Health questioned staff qualifications and clinic locations.
Ma, who vaccinated 27,000 people, hasn’t decided if she will appeal. Kingston doctor ordered to repay nearly $601,000 to OHIP after COVID vaccine billing dispute
A decison made late last week says Dr. Elaine Ma must repay $600,962.61, plus interest, to OHIP for COVID-19 vaccinations billed between July 2021 and January 2022.
The Ontario government claims Ma’s clinics at St. Lawrence College and Richardson Stadium, which vaccinated over 27,000 people, didn’t meet payment requirements.
The repayment order follows hearings held in October, with the decision issued on Nov. 26. The Ministry of Health raised concerns about whether medical students, residents, and assistants administering vaccines under Ma’s authority qualified as her employees.
Ma provided evidence of payments to staff but acknowledged unpaid volunteers, medical students, also helped. The Ministry argued the parking lots used for clinics didn’t meet OHIP’s standards for medical offices.
Ma hasn’t said if she will appeal the ruling, leaving the fate of the nearly $601,000 repayment uncertain.
