New healthcare deal gives ‘more clarity’ after Manitoba man left with $118K bill

The Manitoba government has reached a new deal with a U.S. hospital that offers services to Manitobans living in the southeastern part of the province.

The Altru Agreement made headlines last year after Global News exposed a loophole that left Sprague, Man. resident Robin Milne with a $118,000 medical bill.

Exclusive: No more medical bills for Robin Milne, province pays final half of $118K US health bill

In October 2016, Milne had a heart attack at his Manitoba home and was rushed to the nearest hospital in Roseau, Minn., part of a long-standing, but little-known agreement with the province known as the Altru Agreement. He ended up stuck with a hospital bill of more than $118,000.

At the time, the Manitoba government refused to pay for the bill. Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen said the province did not have the authority to make these type of payments.

WATCH: Manitoba man stuck with huge hospital bill after massive heart attack at home

3:17 Manitoba man stuck with huge hospital bill after massive heart attack at home

After months of investigation by Global News, the province eventually covered the entire bill.

The province said the agreement was more than two decades old and consisted of a short three-page document that needed to be renegotiated.

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“There was clearly a problem with the contract and how it was arranged,” Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen said Thursday. “It was way too open to interpretation.”

RELATED: Health Minister ‘eager’ to speak with U.S. hospital over Manitoba man’s $118K medical bill

Those negotiations took more than a year to complete, but the province said this week a new deal was reached.

“We can confirm an agreement in principle has been reached between Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living and Altru and LifeCare in Minnesota,” Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen said in a written statement.

“The new agreement ensures residents in the RM of Piney and Buffalo Point First Nation will continue to receive coverage for emergency and primary care across the border at facilities in Warroad and Roseau in a way that is sustainable for Manitoba’s health-care system.”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "The new agreement ensures residents in the RM of Piney and Buffalo Point First Nation will continue to receive coverage for emergency and primary care across the border at facilities in Warroad and Roseau in a way that is sustainable for Manitoba's health-care system."

A mailer was sent out to affected residents two weeks ago to explain the changes.

LISTEN: Robin Milne explains what the mailer said, and his concerns about coverage changes