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Frequently
Asked Questions
Patient Services Information:
Administration Office
Medical Services
Medical Records
ANSWERS
Appointments:
To book an appointment with your physician, visit the appropriate
appointment desk or call the switchboard for the correct appointment
extension. All contact with the Port Arthur Health Centre is made through
our Patient Services Department.
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Bring your Health Card:
The Health Card holds vital information about each card holder.
By scanning your personalized card, we can verify that our records
are correct so we can complete the appropriate billing for services.
If a patient presents an invalid card, they will be responsible
for the cost of medical services.
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Referrals:
Appointments with most specialists are made only through referral
by your own physician and must be confirmed with the Appointment
Secretary three working days before their date. Unconfirmed
appointments will be cancelled and re-issued to other patients.
Failure to attend a confirmed appointment may result in a penalty
charge.
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On Hold?
You may have called at a time when the Health Centre switchboard was
flooded with calls. Peak hours are around opening time, lunch
hour and late afternoon (appointment desks are closed 12pm to
1pm). Calls are handled in the order in which they come in.
We suggest calling at a time when the telephone system is less
likely to be busy.
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Phone Calls:
Perhaps your reason for calling was not clear to the switchboard
operator. Be specific when calling. State your purpose clearly
when calling for an appointment or leaving a message for your
doctor. Your call can then be directed to the right office with
little or no delay. Familiarize yourself with your physician's
extension found in the Yellow Pages of the Thunder Bay Phone
Book.
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Appointment Delays:
It is possible that your doctor was detained at the hospital
or ran late with his/her appointments because a patient required
more time than was scheduled. We encourage all our patients
to be clear about the reason for wishing to see their
physician. This will help to set aside an apporopriate amount
of time for each appointment and prevent delays for other patients.
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Administration
Paperwork:
It is very important to provide the Health Centre's Administration
Office with your Health Card, and proper forms and or documents,
especially when private insurers, Workplace Safety & Insurance
Board or third parties are involved. The Administration Office
will coordinate the paper work with your doctor's office as
well as answer all general inquiries related to your account.
You will be required to pay for all paperwork before it is released.
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Forms:
It usually depends on your doctor's schedule. Usually 5 to 7
working days are required to complete all paper work. To ensure
prompt handling of your forms, bring them directly to the Business
Office rather than your physician's office. Your forms will
be immediately entered into our system. If any delays should
occur, we can then promptly trace your paper work. You will
be contacted when the forms are ready to be picked up. All charges
for forms must be paid at the time of pick up.
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Fees:
Administration costs are not covered by Ontario Health Care.
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Urgent Care:
You can receive immediate attention by a Registered Nurse or
other physician should you feel your condition warrants it.
A doctor is available in urgent situations during regular Health Centre
hours. Please report to the Reception Desk and explain your
condition.
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Flu Shots:
Any medical treatment you are to receive must be approved by
your physician. On your doctor's advice, a large number of procedures
may be performed by Medical Services Staff - these include:
immunization and injections, suturing and removal of stitches,
removal of casts, removal of small moles, warts and slivers,
diagnostic tests, drug therapy, change of dressings, etc. Appointments
are often required.
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Services:
The Diagnostic Imaging Department is on the lower level of the
Health Centre. Access is gained by a staircase located to the left
of the main floor Reception desk. The Laboratory is on the Main
Floor, opposite the switchboard. If in doubt, please ask one
of our receptionists at the Main Reception Area or follow the
signboards displayed throughout the Health Centre.
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Medical Records
Access:
You must sign a release before anyone outside of the Health Centre:
another doctor, and insurance company,a lawyer, or even yourself
can receive your records.
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Fees:
A handling charge may be applied if records are transferred
to another facility or institution. Please see a representative
in the business office for the price list.
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Test Results:
Only your doctor can reveal test results to you.
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Other Information:
Immunization and patient medication records are made available
by properly identifying yourself to our Health Centre Nurse.
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