Health Minister Tom Osborne says he has written Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services asking that physicians using the new virtual system be paid according to the medical association’s MOU with government.

Osborne recently revealed that a company has been chosen to provide 24/7 virtual support for rural emergency departments, and other services for those who do not have a family doctor.

The full details have not been revealed as the contract, as of last week, had not yet been signed.

The news prompted the NLMA to raise questions about how doctors will be compensated under the new system, stating that they want them to be paid according to the same MCP fee schedule as current doctors.

While there are still no firm answers, Osborne provided more details about his request to the health authority in the House of Assembly yesterday, prompted by questions from PC Leader Tony Wakeham.

Wakeham asked if government has set up a two-tiered pay system, similar to travel nurses.

Osborne says he wrote a letter to the health authority on May 16th asking that compensation for physicians align with the current agreement with the NLMA.