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YOUR SMA
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Financial ability should never be a barrier for people to get
the help that they need to be happy and healthy.
“What I find is that it is so difficult and often embarrassing
for people to ask for help, to access MBS. It’s very unlikely
that we’ll have people coming forward trying to scam the
system,” says Senger.
At the same time she emphasizes that the MBS does its due
diligence with requests.
“It’s a hand up, not a handout,” she explains. Often MBS will
work with partners such as MD Financial Management to
address the underlying issue in addition to the financial
component of a case. If the financial crisis is a result of poor
decision making, often a condition of receiving assistance
from MBS will be that the individual work with MD Financial
Management to ensure the situation does not repeat itself.
The MBS is one of the SMA’s three Physician Support Programs which work together to seamlessly ensure that doctors receive the help that they need. It is not uncommon for
a physician who has approached the Physician Health Program regarding a physical or mental health issue to receive
treatment paid for by the MBS if it is not covered by Medicare and they are unable to pay for it themselves.
“If they need service and they cannot afford medical intervention or the service that they need, Medical Benevolent
will always pay for it,” says Senger. “Financial ability should
never be a barrier for people to get the help that they need
to be happy and healthy.”
Senger recognizes that asking for help can be difficult, but
hopes that physicians, students, residents and their families
who are truly in need will not hesitate to contact the MBS.
“I understand that it is difficult for physicians to ask for help
at the best of times,” she says, “that asking for financial assistance is very demoralizing for people who are seen to be
in a well-paying profession.”
“But people also need to know that their information is confidential, that you can always phone and ask. That’s why the
fund is there,” she continues, “because that’s how the doctors in Saskatchewan take care of each other.”
For more information or to request assistance from the Medical
Benevolent Society, please contact Brenda Senger, Director of
Physician Support Programs at [email protected] or 306-2442196.
Physician Support Programs
Brenda Senger, Director - [email protected]
www.sma.sk.ca
Physician Health Program
The Physician Health Program provides assistance to
colleagues, students, residents and their families who
may be struggling with a variety of issues including
mental health, substance abuse, physical health or
marital and family concerns.
Member Advisory Component
The Member Advisory Component assists SMA members who request help in responding to investigations
or inquiries such as patient complaints to the CPSS,
CPSS interviews/disciplinary proceedings, billing investigations, or proceedings initiated by the regional
health authority.
Medical Benevolent Society
The Medical Benevolent Society provides financial assistance to physicians, medical students, their surviving spouses and dependent children in need.
SMA DIGEST | WINTER 2015
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