The B.C. government plans to scrutinize the province's medical lab system, in an effort to cut costs and meet the growing pressure of an aging population.
The Ministry of Health has issued a request for proposals for a consulting firm to review B.C.'s medical lab system.
But whether anything will come of it remains to be seen, as the B.C. government conducted a comprehensive review of the system nine years ago. That review followed four previous ones since 1992.
"All reviews have similar key findings, concluding that B.C.'s lab costs are the highest in the country, and confirming B.C. has the highest lab services utilization rates of any province," the 2003 review concluded.
In a press release, the Ministry of Health suggests the current system of both public and privately owned labs is in need of streamlining, and cites duplication of services as an area it particularly wants reviewed. The ministry also suggests B.C.'s uncapped fee-for-service system is costly compared with other provinces.
Since 2001, the number of lab tests performed annually has increased 70% and continues to grow with an aging population, according to the Ministry of Health.
"Despite significant cost containment efforts, lab costs have increased by $130 million – or approximately 27% – in the past five years," the ministry states. " By 2020-2021, it is conservatively estimated that total annual laboratory expenditures could reach between $771 million and $894 million."
Once the contract is awarded, the consultant will be asked to compare lab services in Canada and other jurisdictions and will consult with health authorities, the BC Medical Association, the BC Association of Laboratory Physicians, unions and private-sector laboratories.
