CLINIC POLICIES
Your Health Comes First
HEALTH CARDS
PLEASE BRING YOUR HEALTH CARD WITH YOU TO EVERY VISIT!
You will be asked by our Front Staff to present it when checking in at every visit. It is your responsibility to carry a valid health card.
If you do not have your health card with you or if your health card is invalid (due to expired card, change in version code or change in name) you will be charged for your visit at the regular OHIP rates prior to being seen.
Remember: Keep your health card up to date to ensure access to health care and to prevent fraud.
If your health card is lost, stolen or damaged, you should immediately call the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care info line at 1-800-664-8998. If your address or name has changed, visit or call your local OHIP office or the Ministry of Health.
UNINSURED SERVICES
THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT COVERS THE COST OF PROVIDING MEDICALLY NECESSARY SERVICES TO PATIENTS THROUGH THE ONTARIO HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN (OHIP).
Any medical service not covered by OHIP is called an Uninsured Service. Some uninsured services include:
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Prescription refills by phone
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Drivers medicals and other third party examinations
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Missed appointments
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Work and school related notes
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Medical forms for insurance, legal or employment purposes
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Photocopying, faxing and transfer of medical records
TEST RESULTS
Due to the volume of test results coming to the clinic each day, normal results will not be reported to the patient.
We will contact patients with abnormal results or for tests that require a follow-up visit.
If you wish to discuss test results with your physician, please book a follow-up appointment for one to two weeks after the tests are done. Please allow at least 48 hours for blood work results and at least 72 hours for x-rays or other investigative test results.
RESPECTFUL WORK PLACE
We have zero tolerance for any kind of abuse. Abuse of medical center’s staff, patients, physicians and all other members of the clinic or vandalism will not be tolerated. Abuse can take many forms including but not limited to intimidation, condescending or patronizing language, impatience, refusal/reluctance to answer questions, giving misleading information and manipulation. Incidents will be recorded and reported to the appropriate personnel. We will take corrective actions, if needed, up to and including termination of patient status/employment, involving peace keepers or permission to remain on the property, based on the severity of the incident.
MEDICAL APPOINMENTS
When you book your appointment please inform the staff the reason of the visit as it helps us to plan and arrange the schedule accordingly. Please try to focus on your main concern or problem during your visit. Most of the appointments are only 15 minutes long as we want to accommodate and adequately serve all patients that require our attention on the given day. Our doctors do their best to handle all your medical concerns efficiently; however, certain complaints require follow up appointments. Please be prepared to return for follow up appointments at your doctor’s medical discretion. Your doctor, in your visit, will focus on your main concern and if necessary discuss plans for any other medical issues in future visits. Please understand, when you focus on your main concern it also helps the clinic better manage patient flow and appointments. We, as staff, try our best to keep wait times as minimal as possible. Nobody likes to wait for a long period of time to see their doctor but if everyone comes with a “list” it inevitably leads to long delays.
PATIENT CHECK-IN INFORMATION
We have forms for the patients to fill prior to their check in, especially if it’s the very first visit. These forms ask for your name, DOB, address, contact number, health card details etc. They are confidential and shredded after the visit
PRESCRIPTION RENEWAL
In order to provide quality care, medication refills must be addressed at the time of your appointment. Unless it is an emergency, appointments should be made for refills two weeks in advance of your prescription running out. CARE4YOU Medical Centre has a “No Phone/Fax Prescription Renewal Policy”. We do not refill narcotics/controlled medications and would recommend you get them refilled with the providers who initially prescribed them.
CANCELLATION / LATE ARRIVAL
If you need to cancel your appointment we ask that you give 24 hours notice so we may give another patient the opportunity to be seen. We also understand that emergencies do come up, please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or will be late.
NO SHOW FEE
If you cannot come to your appointment you must give the clinic 24 hours notice to avoid getting a “No Show Fee”. Three or more no shows may be grounds for dismissal, at the discretion of your physician.
VACATION / SICK COVERAGE
You may be seen by another colleague physician if your primary care provider is away due to sickness or on vacation or for continuing medical education. We all are very collegial and compassionate with all the patients and hence your care will be in good caring hands. Your medical history, past and current, is on the electronic medical record and hence the other physician will be well aware of your health concerns.
MEDICAL EDUCATION
We believe in imparting knowledge and skills to others. We may participate in training or educating young doctors. Hence we may be with medical students/residents/nurses/nurse practitioners in training during your clinic visit. They all are members of our health care system and are supervised appropriately.
PAST MEDICAL HISTORY
It’s immensely helpful to obtain copies of your past medical records, especially if you have any significant medical issue/s. This can be done by completing an “authorization to release information” form at the front desk. The front desk staff will then send the form to your previous doctor(s) and/or hospital(s) to request the information. Sometimes your previous doctor(s) and/or hospital(s) charge an administrative fee to you for this service. You are responsible for paying this fee. However, this information is very important for your medical care.
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PETS
Pets are NOT allowed, except for service animals. This is to reduce the risk of infection, allergic reactions, and environmental hazards.