Extra-billing doctors could be prosecuted under new B.C. laws aimed at private surgery clinics

Doctors and private clinics that break tough laws meant to stop private billing at surgery and diagnostic imaging clinics could be prosecuted, perhaps even hit with criminal fraud charges.
The NDP cabinet is activating changes to the Medicare Protection Act on Oct. 1. The amendments, passed in 2003 under the Liberals but not brought into force, allow fines of up to $20,000 when doctors and private clinics extra bill patients for expedited care.
Extra billing is the term government uses when a pa