Some frequently asked questions regarding doctors visits are:
How much time do I have with the Doctor for my appointment?
Standard appointments are 10 minutes in duration, therefore to provide the best overall care for each patient, physicians emphasize the need for patients to focus on their main problem or concern during each visit.
Patients with multiple medical concerns should plan their appointments in advance and on different days, as Medical Services Plan (MSP) does not allow multiple appointments on the same day. This enables physicians to fully address and medically treat each problem. Bringing forth multiple problems in one session is not in the best interest of the patient, since multiple problems cannot be comprehensively addressed during one regular office visit.
With this in mind, it is critical that patients focus on their primary medical concern at the beginning of each visit, so that time is not wasted on lesser concerns that could be discussed at a later appointment.
Why is my Doctor often late for my appointment?
Running on time can be a significant challenge for physicians. This is primarily due to prior patients wishing to discuss multiple medical concerns during their appointment. In fairness to both follow patients and to their physician, it is important for patients to focus on their primary medical concern during each visit and make follow up appointments for additional medical concerns.
Additionally, patients should acknowledge that prolonging your own doctors visit encroaches on the time allotment for the next patient(s) and Doctors are typically not able to "catch up" during the day, therefore this affects the timing for all patients for that entire day. When multiple patients prolong their visits on the same day, this causes significant delays and "lateness" for the physician.
How can I help my Doctor stay on time?
By following the guidelines above to focus on the primary medical concern for each visit and to be aware that overextending your visit impacts your fellow patients. Physicians would like nothing more than the ability to run on time for all patients, since they understand patient time is valuable too!
Are annual physical exams always paid by MSP?
Annual physical exams for patients with complex or chronic health conditions (Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Failure, COPD etc) are a benefit of MSP, since these physical exam are performed to assist the monitoring of chronic and complex health conditions. Also, physical exams that physicians deem 'medically necessary' are covered by BC MSP, as are Pap tests for females who are residents of British Columbia.
Patients who do not have chronic or complex health conditions (as identified by MSP) but wish to have a complete physical exam, are required to pay privately for the exam. Instead, consider calling us to book an appointment to discuss any medical concerns with your Family Physician. During that appointment, your physician will determine the correct exam based on medical need.
Physical exams required by insurance companies, employers or other organizations must always be paid privately as they are not a benefit of MSP. Please call us to discuss the fees involved.
How do I request a Referral?
A referral is a written letter from your Family Doctor to a Specialist and will be made when medically necessary. Please call us to book an appointment with your Family Physician to discuss your concerns and possible referral.
How do I talk to my Doctor?
Busy schedules do not permit Doctors do take random phone calls from patients, therefore, please call us to book an appointment for a phone or in-person visit with your Family Doctor.
How can I renew my prescription without coming in to see the Doctor?
Doctors write prescriptions to be taken by patients for a specific duration of time. The expiration of the prescriptions (or renewals) will coincide with the time that the Physician should see the patient again for follow up and review. During the follow-up/review, physicians are then able to determine the effectiveness of the prescribed medication and can also determine if a change in medication is necessary.
It’s important that patients call us well ahead of prescriptions expiring to book a renewal appointment, as it’s very difficult to fit in last minute refills. Last minute refills often results in extra expense for patients, especially in pharmacy dispensing fees, when a pharmacy provides an emergency supply to bridge the gap until the next appointment.
Perfumes, sprays and smoking
Please refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes or using sprays prior to coming to your doctors appointment. Additionally, please refrain from smoking immediately prior to your appointment. Many patients have allergies, where sprays along with lingering smoke, can affect the health of fellow patients.
Are all visits covered by my health care?
MSP covers all Doctors visits that are medically necessary, however there are numerous types of visits that MSP does not cover, which must be paid privately by the patient. Visits not covered by MSP Include:
Doctors notes
Insurance forms
Employer forms or Employer Physical Exams
Sports team or School forms
Legal claim forms
Aviation or Marine medical exams
Motor Vehicle Drivers Test
Immigration purposes
Travel Immunization visits
Cosmetic Procedures
Even though patients may require their physician complete specific forms, MSP does not deem that type of visit to be 'medically necessary', therefore private payment is required from the patient or the requesting organization. For these appointments, advise us upfront when form completion is involved, we’ll the fee prior to the appointment and book the appropriate appointment length.
Am I advised regarding my test results?
The majority of test results are received and stored electronically, and all test results are reviewed by a physician upon receipt. Test results for lab work or pathology that come back as 'normal' does not necessary initiate a phone call to the patient, as these normal results can often be reviewed upon your next office visit. To view your own test results performed within Interior Health facilities, please sign up for MyHealth Portal here MyHealth Portal.
However, test results that are 'abnormal' or that display any information that Physicians would like to discuss with the patient will always be conveyed to the patient. Physicians will determine if results can be discussed via phone call, or if an in person appointment is best.
Can I obtain a copy of my test results?
Patients can sign up for Interior Health’s MyHealth Portal to review results of tests performed within Interior Health facilities. Click here to sign up: MyHealth Portal. Some test results may require physician interpretation, therefore, please call us for an appointment if you wish to discuss test results with your family physician.
Testing performed outside Interior Health facilities, will be received by your family physician and can be reviewed by appointment, please call us PH 250 352 2230.
What happens if I miss my appointment?
Kootenay Medical Centre requires a minimum of 24 hours advance notice for cancellation or changes to appointments and as such we ask all patients to adhere to this policy. After two short notice missed or cancelled appointments we will reiterate our policy either verbally or in writing. When 3 appointments have been missed or cancelled on short notice, patients will be required to compensate $30 for each missed visit (for a total of $90) prior to their next appointment.
While we understand that unexpected situations can arise that cause patients to miss appointments, however it is important that patients adhere to our cancellation policy. Adherence to this policy is enforced so that appointment time is not held that could otherwise have gone to another patient.
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