Bill 614: The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance (Banning Private Fees) Amendment Act

This bill directly affects physicians and medical clinic operators in Saskatchewan who provide insured health services — from solo family doctors running their own practice to larger multi-physician clinics. It targets any arrangement where patients are charged a separate fee — whether upfront, periodic, or after the fact — to access a doctor's services, including concierge-style or direct-pay membership models that offer faster or priority access. Clinic administrators and billing staff will need to review their fee structures and patient intake processes to ensure no access fees are being collected, and physicians must now provide written notification to any patient being charged privately for insured services before care is delivered. Physicians who continue charging access fees face escalating consequences — starting with a written warning, then a referral to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and ultimately suspension from billing Saskatchewan Health for a period set by the Minister.