August 2016 - Newsletter
We hope you are enjoying your summer! There are some exciting and important new changes to our office that we’d like to inform you about:
NEW OFFICE
You may have noticed our office has been renovated. We thank you for your ongoing patience as we put the final touches on our new space so that we can serve you better.
Our new office also has a new name - We are now called Broadway Family Medicine!
NEW DOCTOR - DR. VALERIE HA
Dr. Valerie Ha graduated from the University of Toronto's Medical School in 2000 and completed her Residency at the University Health Network. She has worked in primary care at a community health centre and in acute care as a hospitalist. She will be joining the practice as of Sept. 6th 2016 and is looking forward to being part of the team.
FAMILY DOCTORS ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
Dr. Ha, Kline, Rothman & Shedletzky are all currently accepting new patients! Patients interested in joining our practice can contact our office to arrange a “Meet & Greet” appointment with one of our doctors.
OFFICE WEBSITE
Our office has a new website: www.broadwayfamilymd.com
The website is live, but some sections are still under construction. Keep checking back for new updates. Here are some features you can look forward to:
Office information and policies
Patient handouts & resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Office forms available for download
Pay your bill online!
You will be able to provide secure payments with your credit card for any required uninsured services, such as doctor’s notes, prescription renewal via fax, and e-mails. You can pay for the annual block fee online as well.
Please note: Online payments will add a $5.00 flat rate to cover processing fees
OFFICE E-MAIL
We will be using new office e-mail addresses beginning September 1, 2016. Please ensure you have completed our E-mail Consent Form if you’d like to communicate with us via e-mail.
appointments@broadwayfamilymd.com can be used for scheduling appointments, general inquires and simple questions/requests.
referrals@broadwayfamilymd.com can be used for inquires regarding referrals to specialists. Generally, if you have not heard anything about your referral after two weeks, please contact our office.
The previous e-mail addresses (rkmappointments@rogers.com & rkmreferrals@rogers.com) will be forwarding to these new addresses
*Please note: Effective September 1, 2016, we will now be charging for requests for e-mail medical advice initiated by patients. This is considered an uninsured service. This service is included in the annual block fee, or can be paid fee-for-service at $25.00 per e-mail.
UNINSURED SERVICES
We will be updating our Annual Block Fee/Uninsured Services packages effective September 1, 2016. Prices will be increasing to reflect the rising need for these services by our patients, and the growing demand for updated equipment and technology needed to provide you with up to date medical care. These changes also reflect the ongoing pressure and cutbacks that are being implemented by the Ministry of Health on Ontario physicians.
If these fees cause you any financial difficulty, please discuss this with your physician.
FLU SHOTS
This fall we will again be encouraging all of our patients to receive the annual flu shot. In particular, we highly recommend the flu shot if you are considered high risk (children, patients over age 65, pregnant patients, patients with chronic diseases), or if you are in close contact with someone who is high risk. We typically receive our flu shots in early October, and will update our website regarding flu shot availability.
OFFICE POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Contact information - Please do not forget to inform our staff of changes to your contact information, including your e-mail address.
Health Cards - Remember that some OHIP cards expire! Please ensure that your health card is up to date to ensure that you stay covered.
Walk-In Clinics - Once again, we respectfully encourage you to avoid Walk-In Clinics and House-call Services. We are committed to providing you with comprehensive and continuous care. Having primary care medical issues addressed in other settings can compromise the quality of your medical care. In addition, your doctor personally pays for the cost of that visit. Please call our office or the After Hours Info Line (416-231-7226) if you need to access urgent medical care.
Please ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Thank you and take care,
Drs. Valerie Ha, Jordana Kline, Marla Munk, Steven Rothman & Carolyn Shedletzky
