For those without email who have not received our fall newsletter, please see below for a few updates.
STAFF UPDATES
Earlier this year Dr. Sara Pardisnia took over Dr. Marla Ash’s practice. We are grateful for the excellent care she has provided. Also new this year, Christine has taken over the nursing position in our office. She is trained as a registered practical nurse and we are pleased to have her care for our patients in this new capacity. Finally, we would like to welcome Mary to the team as our new medical office assistant.
EXPIRED HEALTH CARDS
We have had an increasing number of patients with expired health cards. Please ensure your health card is up to date, otherwise our doctors do not get paid for services provided. This makes it challenging to provide ongoing care. To avoid unnecessary interruptions in your health care, please sign up for digital reminders at ontario.ca/page/get-serviceontario-digital-reminders.
MAMMOGRAM UPDATES
In October 2024, the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) lowered the starting age for screening from age 50 to 40. Patients age 40-49 can now book a mammogram at an OBSP site without a requisition from a doctor. Find out more at Cancer Care Ontario and book in with your family doctor if you have additional questions.
COVID VACCINES
The updated fall/winter 2024-2025 COVID-19 KP.2 vaccine is now available through pharmacies and public health clinics. To find out more visit Toronto Public Health.
FLU SHOTS
We encourage all our patients to get vaccinated against the flu. Flu shots can be safely given at the same time as your COVID vaccine through your pharmacy. If you prefer to receive your flu shot through our office, please call to book with our nurse. Similar to previous years, both regular flu shots and high dose flu shots are available. If you are over age 65 and have received your flu shot elsewhere, please call our office so we can update your chart.
RSV VACCINE
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract. RSV vaccination is covered by OHIP for adults 60+ residing in long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes. Adults 60+ who do not qualify for OHIP covered RSV vaccine may obtain it from their pharmacy with a prescription from their family doctor. Vaccination provides immunity for 2-3 years, meaning if you received an RSV vaccine last year, you do not require one this year. The two brands currently available for adults are Arexvy and Abrysvo.
New this year, we are also immunizing infants under 12 months old for RSV. This immunization will be offered in hospital at birth for infants born during RSV season, or in our office for babies born earlier in 2024. We will contact families of eligible infants once available. To find out more about RSV visit Ontario.ca.
AFTER HOURS CARE
A friendly reminder we offer an after hours clinic for urgent medical concerns that cannot wait until the next business day. The clinic alternates locations and is staffed by our North York Family Health Team physicians. To provide high quality care, the physician you see will have access to your electronic medical records. Please use our after hours clinic instead of walk in clinics or home visit services as our physicians get negatively billed by OHIP if you visit a different clinic. To book call (416) 849-1334. Phone lines are open Monday to Thursday, 4-7pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 8:30-11am. Always call our office first as we do our best to see patients the same day for urgent medical issues.
ANNUAL BLOCK FEE
As you are aware, there is a significant shortage of family physicians in Ontario. Rising cost of overhead, increased patient complexity, increased paperwork, and inadequate funding have all contributed to this. Services such as doctors’ notes, prescription refills by telephone or fax, and completion of forms are not covered by OHIP. To keep our office running, we are unable to provide these services free of charge. Patients have the choice to pay for these uninsured services individually or, as preferred by most patients, sign up for our annual block fee. Many private insurance plans cover the costs of uninsured services/block fees.
We accept the following methods of payment for your Annual Block Fee
Pay online through our office website
Pay in office with cash, cheque, debit, or credit card
Pay by phone (416) 494-7435 with your credit card
Pay by mail by filling out the order form
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the trust you've put in us, your family doctors. As always, we look forward to caring for you and your families in the years to come.
