The SMA is seeking a member to serve as its Observer on the Joint Medical Professional Review Committee (JMPRC). The JMPRC is a physician peer review committee that was established by Section 49 of The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act.
JMPRC proceedings are not open to the public and the legislation prescribes who can be in attendance. One observer from each of the stakeholder groups (SMA, CPSS, and Ministry) may attend JMPRC Committee proceedings. Observers are a means to provide feedback to their respective stakeholder groups on procedural matters that may arise during the course of the JMPRC proceedings.
There are normally nine JMPRC meetings each year which are held on two consecutive days. Additionally, the SMA Observer meets with SMA staff once per month to review the JMPRC’s most recent proceedings.
The Joint Medical Professional Review Committee (JMPRC) Mandate
The JMPRC is a physician peer review committee that was established by section 49 of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act (1988) to review the pattern of medical practice associated with billing of Saskatchewan physicians who are directly billing the publicly funded system for insured services provided to Saskatchewan Residents.
The JMPRC is charged with the responsibility of assessing the billing aspect of a physician’s pattern of medical practice. The JMPRC must be satisfied that there has not been a payment made by reason of a departure from a pattern of medical practice that is acceptable to the Committee. The JMPRC has the authority to order the recovery of monies if it determines the Minister of Health has paid monies inappropriately. This includes examining whether or not a service is medically required as stated in subsection 18(2) of the Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act (1988).
Role of the Observer:
The Observer’s role within the JMPRC proceedings are defined by these Statements of Principal:
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The Observers may provide advice on procedural matters they believe the Committee should consider; or the Observers may advise the Committee on procedural matters under discussion.
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The Observers may respond to requests for information or their opinion.
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The Observers may speak on behalf of their respective parent bodies on issues that are related to procedural matters.
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The Committee believes that transparency is important and the Observers are a means to provide feedback to their parent bodies on procedural matters that arise in the course of Committee proceedings.
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The Observers are asked to participate in a collegial manner.
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The Observers are asked to maintain the confidentiality of the physicians under review and communicate only in terms of process to their stakeholder groups unless there is a quality of care or safety concern identified.
The Observers may be tasked by the JMPRC to take concerns to their respective stakeholder groups and report back to the committee if necessary.
Time Commitment and Expectations:
The JMPRC meetings are normally held on the third Wednesday and Thursday of each month whenever possible (pending member availability). The JMPRC holds their working meetings for Committee business on Wednesday, and the interviews occur on Thursday.
Meetings on Wednesday start at approximately 5:00 pm unless otherwise stated and meeting start times are 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. All meetings are held via WebEx (video conferencing).
Additionally, the SMA Observer meets with SMA staff once per month to review the JMPRC’s most recent proceedings.
Click here to see the Terms of Reference.
Click here to apply
