What can NP's do? 

Diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, order and interpret tests, refer to other specialists, perform minor procedures, manage ongoing care, and provide health education. Nurse Practitioners  provide nearly all services a typical family doctor would. 

How are NP's paid? 

Nurse practitioners can do many of the same things as doctors: diagnosing, treating, and even prescribing. Most nurse practitioners work in government-funded clinics or family health teams, where they’re paid by salary, not fee-for-service billing. Independent nurse practitioners, such as those in private clinics, usually have to charge patients themselves because the province doesn’t automatically pay for their visits.

​

If a Family Doctor hires a Nurse Practitioners they are not reimbursed for the care provided by the NP and therefore, must pay them out of there own pocket. Despite being able to care for more patients, the government offers no incentive for doctors to do this. 

Why doesn't OHIP cover Nurse Practitioners?

Nurse practitioners in Ontario are not covered by OHIP in the same way family doctors are because provincial rules don’t allow them to bill OHIP for the care they provide directly to patients, unlike physicians whose services are automatically insured and paid for by the province.

What can I do to change this? 

The public can help push for OHIP coverage of nurse practitioners by getting involved in advocacy, raising awareness, and directly contacting decision-makers to express support for change. You can support advocacy groups, contact politicians, share Experiences and stories, and watch for consultations.