MPI expands lists of approved benefits administrators under its personal injury regulations

Nurse practitioners, physician assistants and clinical assistants are now able to administer benefits under Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)’s Personal Injury Protection Plan.”These enhancements will be particularly beneficial to Manitobans living in rural and northern regions where these practitioners may be the most readily available medical personnel,” said Andrew Swan, Manitoba’s attorney general.”This amendment will allow these three practitioner groups to administer care and be compensated within the Personal Injury Protection Plan.”Specifically, the regulation will permit injured Manitobans to be reimbursed for:• medical or paramedical care provided by members of the three practitioner groups and not covered by Manitoba Health;• massage therapy performed by nurse practitioners (physician assistants and clinical assistants have not been added to the provider list for this treatment modality);• grief counselling prescribed by members of the three practitioner groups;• ambulance transportation prescribed by members of the three practitioner groups; and• footwear, clothing, medical appliances and medical equipment prescribed by members of the three practitioner groups.MPI anticipates a net cost saving for Manitobans residing in remote communities since having medical practitioners recognized by MPI in the community will reduce the necessity for medical travel.