Question 1

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Accepted Answer

Nurse Practitioners are health care professionals with an advanced degree that allows us the ability to not just assess a patient, but to order diagnostic tests, to be able to confirm a diagnosis, prescribe medications, and coordinate a treatment plan for that patient.

Question 2

Update on OHIP Billing for Nurse Practitioners

Accepted Answer

The Canada Health Act Interpretation letter, dated Jan 10th 2025 states that starting April 1st 2026 that patient charges for medically necessary services, whether provided by a physician or other health care professional providing physician-equivalent services, will be considered extra-billing and user charges under the CHA.
Letter to provinces and territories on the importance of upholding the Canada Health Act - 2025 - Canada.ca(https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-system/canada-health-care-system-medicare/canada-health-act/letter-provinces-territories-january-2025.html)

Does this mean patients will be able to use their OHIP card to cover their services at GNPC starting April 1st? No.

The Health Insurance Act (Ontario) remains unchanged since the CHA interpretations letter. The Health Insurance Act continues to define insured services to include medically necessary services “rendered by physicians”, which would not include medically necessary services rendered by Nurse Practitioners, even if they are “physician-equivalent services”, as set out in the CHA Services Policy.

Under current Ontario legislation, OHIP does not cover “health services that are delivered outside of hospital by health care providers that are not physicians”.
What OHIP covers | ontario.ca(https://www.ontario.ca/page/what-ohip-covers#section-10)

Will GreenNPC continue to require payment to access services? YES

Will the pricing change? YES
Many services at GNPC are not insurable services and would not be covered even if GNPC was publicly funded. To ensure GNPC continues to be able to provide comprehensive health services, we will changing our urgent care plan to a monthly service fee starting April 1st 2026. There will be no change to our annual Membership Plan.

Further information on uninsured medical services:
Microsoft Word - 2026 Uninsured-Services-Guide-v7- 20Jan2026(https://www.oma.org/siteassets/oma/media/pagetree/pps/billing/uninsured-services/physicians-guide-to-uninsured-services.pdf)

Until the provincial Ministry of Health communicates how it intends to implement the CHA Services Policy in provincial law, the business structure at GNPC will remain grossly unchanged.

Question 3

Once I become a member, can I book an appointment prior to my full physical?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 4

If I register with GNPC, will I be removed from the Family Doctor wait list on Ontario Health Connect?

Accepted Answer

No. Members may continue with services at GNPC while remaining on the wait list for a publicly funded general practitioner.

Question 5

I am unhappy with my general practitioner; can I register as a member for GNPC?

Accepted Answer

There are over 40,000 people in Kingston that do not have a general practitioner. While GNPC does not screen registrants for an existing general practitioner, we strongly discourage anyone with a GP from registering.

Question 6

Are services at GNPC covered by private insurance?

Accepted Answer

Each Insurance Company is independently responsible for determining if NP services will be covered. GNPC encourages all clients to talk to their Insurance Company to determine coverage.

Question 7

Are there other similar clinics in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

There are currently 25 Nurse Practitioner-run clinics in Ontario that are publicly funded.

There are an increasing number of private NP clinics emerging in Ontario as NPs tire of waiting for the Provincial Government to support OHIP billing for NPs.

Question 8

Do you offer after hours care?

Accepted Answer

Our hours of operation are 9am - 4pm
We do not have after hours services at this time.

Question 9

How do I register my children?

Accepted Answer

Children must register directly with the clinic.
Fees are $275/ year per dependent. Children must have a minimum of 1 adult with a full Membership associated with their account.
The Registered Adult must agree to the Membership and Termination Terms.
The Child's Membership is subject to their Registered Adult maintaining their membership.
With registration, children must have a legal guardian included for contact information, appointment notification, and emergency purposes.

OPEN: Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm

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