Ministry of Finance Engages Working Groups to Advance Auto Insurance Reform

Ontario's Budget 2019 identified key elements of focus for reform of Ontario's auto insurance system in it’s Blueprint for Putting Drivers First.

The Ministry of Finance has recently established two working groups to provide advice to advance auto insurance reform in the province.

• The Online Claims Portal and Driver Care Card Advisory Group will be tasked to provide advice to government relating to implementation of online claims processes and a Driver Care Card
  
  
• The Assessment Reform Working Group  will be tasked to provide advice to support government’s commitment to reform the medical assessments process for auto accident benefits and to provide industry-designed solutions from experts representing a wide range of stakeholders that participate in, and are impacted by, the assessment framework for auto accident benefits.

Representation from sectoral stakeholders has been sought.  OSOT will be represented on both Working Groups through representatives of the Coalition of Professional Associations in Ontario’s Auto Insurance System (the Coalition).  OSOT Auto Insurance Team Chair and Lead, Karen Rucas, will be a Coalition representative on the Assessment Reform Working Group.

Implications for Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists working in Ontario’s auto insurance system will wish to be familiar with the budget commitments  - Blueprint for Putting Drivers First.

OSOT’s Auto Insurance Sector Team has reviewed this blueprint and is preparing a submission which will inform both government and the Coalition of OT perspectives on key reform initiatives.  Members are encouraged to forward comments, concerns, inputs to the Team at osot@osot.on.ca.