Clinic Policy

Our receptionist, Luba Yanko, is responsible for answering phone calls and arranging appointments. Things can get busy, so please have patience; she will be with you as soon as possible. Please check in with her when you come in to the clinic.

Ausrine Vajegiene is our lab technician. She works on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm, and Thursdays 1.30pm - 7.30pm. She is able to draw blood, perform allergy tests, injections (including immunizations and allergy shots), urinalyses, urinary pregnancy tests, blood pressure and pulse checks, pulmonary function tests, electrocardiograms, and assist with physiotherapy procedures (laser, microcurrent and ultrasound).

Health Cards

All patients MUST show their health cards every visit. Patients with invalid or expired health cards must pay for their services in advance.

Visits

Appointments can be made for several reasons:

• regular visits, where you would like to discuss one big or two small problems
• short visit, for prescription renewals or for a smalls straightforward problem
• long visits, such as pre-op assessments, minor surgical procedures, consults, counseling for common somatic disorders (up to 3 per year), psychological counseling or primary mental care

Please indicate the type of visit you would like to book when scheduling an appointment. This will be very helpful for scheduling and will result in shorter waiting times. We ask for your patience when at the clinic, as some appointments can run long and unexpected emergencies or complications may occur.

If blood tests are scheduled, you are required to fast for at least 12 hours. Water is fine, and you may take your medications (except diabetes medications).

Returning Phone Calls

It is sometimes difficult to return a phone call during a busy day. We often return the calls during lunch time or after office hours. Dr. Wilderman is not available for telephone advice.

Prescription Policy

The official policy of our clinic does not allow any prescription renewals over the telephone or fax. For our patients' convenience, additional refills may be given at the time of the original prescription, at the doctor's discretion. When you run out of refills, please do not call for more, and instead make an appointment for a reassessment and follow up of your medical condition. Long term use of medications without proper medical supervision can lead to unnecessary side effects or missed diagnoses.

Missed Appointments

The cancellation fee for missed appointments or cancellations with less than 24 hour notice is $30 for a regular visit and $60 for complete physical examination, counseling or consultation.

Services Not Insured by OHIP

There are several services we provide which may not be covered by OHIP, and you are therefore responsible for payment. Payment is due at the time the service is completed.

Uninsured Services Include:

• sick notes
• insurance forms
• travel medicine counseling
• cosmetic procedures of the skin
• third party requests for physical examinations (ie. work, camp, driver's license, etc.

In some cases, both forms and associated physical exams are uninsured. The fee will depend on the service provided and amount of time necessary to complete it. Some of the common services and fees can be on the Ontario Medical Association Schedule of Fees page. Please feel free to discuss these with your doctor if you have any concerns about your ability to pay.

Please note: fees for forms do not include the cost of the associated medical examination, if any is required.

Referral to Specialist

You will be referred to a specialist if a second opinion, procedure or operation is needed. Someone will contact you to set up an appointment after we send a referral letter and a copy of appropriate tests. It is your responsibility to keep this appointment.