Policy update – prescription requests

Dear Valued Patients of Rideau-Rockcliffe Family Medicine:

As you may be aware, the administrative burden for family physicians has been steadily increasing. To continue offering the comprehensive care and support you deserve, we have had to review and update some of our policies.

Did you know … ?

  • OHIP pays for most of your medical visits and services. However, there are many uninsured services, which OHIP does not cover.
  • OHIP generally only pays in full for medical assessments and advice that is given in person with a patient. Doctors are compensated at a reduced rate for phone appointments and doctors are not compensated at all by OHIP for the completion of most forms/letters or for prescriptions provided outside of an appointment.
  • Each phone call, allied health or medication prescription requests, form, letter, note, email, fax, or other such request requires the time, expertise, and resources of the staff and physician. Hundreds of such requests every day amount to enormous time and cost for our staff and physicians.

Unlike many other clinics in Ontario, we have held off for years on charging patients for certain uninsured services. However, as suggested by the Ontario Medical Association, effective Aug 15th, 2024, we will be implementing a fee of $20 for the following prescription requests:

  • Physiotherapy 
  • Massage therapy 
  • Orthotics or other medical device
  • Chiropractic 
  • Psychotherapy or other counselling 
  • Naturopathy 
  • Ergonomic assessment 
  • Dietitian 

* For now, we will continue to provide medication prescription refills via faxed requests from a pharmacy at no cost. If clinical re-assessment is required, our office may request that you book an appointment with your physician.*

We encourage all patients to check with their insurance provider to determine whether a doctor’s referral or prescription is required for coverage/reimbursement before requesting these services. Our hope is that this fee reduces the number of unnecessary requests and the number of requests for re-issuing lost prescriptions. 

Of note, federal government employees who have benefits through the Canada Life insurance plan do not require prescriptions for allied health services. 

We understand that changes to healthcare policies can be challenging. This decision was not made lightly, and we have taken every measure to keep the fee as reasonable as possible. Thank you for your understanding and continued confidence in our practice.

For more information on the family medicine crisis including ways you can direct advocacy efforts:

https://www.cfpc.ca/en/policy-innovation/our-advocacy/crisis-in-family-medicine

Warm regards,

Rideau-Rockcliffe Family Medicine