A family physician in this province says the new Atlantic registry to allow doctors to practice in multiple provinces will have no benefit to virtual care.

Dr. Todd Young of Springdale, who operates the Medicuro virtual care app, says while outside doctors will be able to practice here, they cannot fill any gaps in virtual care.

He says if a doctor from one of the maritime provinces signs on to the Atlantic registry, they cannot be compensated for virtual care in this province because MCP does not allow outside physicians to bill for virtual care.

He says if someone were to seek virtual care from an out-of-province doctor, they’d have to pay out of their own pocket.

Young says that’s something he tries to avoid with his practice, but with those barriers, it’s hard to make any progress in the health care sector.

Young says he wants to service the people of Newfoundland and Labrador without being held back by those barriers.