Office Policies

We expect all of our patients to be kind to support staff. We have zero tolerance for any abuse for our administrative personnel or ourselves, in person, by phone or by email. If you are unkind, you can be dismissed from the practice. This also applies to any abuse or intolerance toward other patients you may interact with in the clinic or waiting room, and also to social media and virtual venues. In order to provide you with the best possible care, a satisfactory doctor-patient relationship is necessary. If for any reason, this relationship becomes compromised, then it may be best for both parties to end the relationship. If this occurs then we will provide emergency medical care for one month or until the patient finds a new family doctor, whichever comes first.

The office is a scent free zone. It is appreciated if smokers refrain from smoking for some time prior to attending the clinic as smoke odours linger. 

Appointments    Appointments can be booked online, by phone or in person. We are unable to accommodate walk-in appointments. Regular visits are satisfactory for effectively discussing one of your medical issues. If you can, please let us know the reason that you wish to see the doctor as this will help us prepare for your visit and provide adequate time for you. If you have more than one issue to discuss, please inform the receptionist to see if we can accommodate a longer appointment. Also, each family member requires a separate appointment. 

If you are unable to obtain an appointment and feel you must be seen for a timely issue, you can consider attending the Collingwood After Hours Clinic (186 Erie St., first come first serve). This clinic is staffed by our local doctors, including Dr. Abawi and Dr. Krempowich, and has access to your medical record, so the details of your visit are available to your family physician, providing very important continuity of care. Whenever possible, we encourage our patients to avoid using other walk-in clinics as they do not have your medical history, and do not send reports of your visit to our office. 

If your visit is for an acute illness (fever, cold, flu etc), please use the hand sanitizer and put on a mask as soon as possible upon entering the clinic. 

If your issue is an emergency, please call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency department. A mental health crisis line is also available at 1-888-893-8333.

Please present a VALID OHIP card at each visit - failure to do so may result in a charge for your appointment. Please also ensure you update you address, email and phone number at each visit. Please bring all of your medications with you to each visit.   

No Show Policy   As per our "No Show" policy there is a variable charge for missed appointments, depending on the appointment length. Appointments must be cancelled prior to 9AM to avoid this charge - leave a message on our machine if you are calling after hours. We may also have to reschedule your appointment if you are late. Three (3) no shows or late cancellations are grounds for dismissal from the practice.  

Prescriptions and Refills Dr. Krempowich has a conservative prescribing policy, especially for narcotics, antibiotics and sleeping medications. She refers to the latest prescribing guidelines in order to ensure you are not exposed to any unnecessary medications. Any patients prescribed narcotics are required to sign a narcotics contract. This will be done at the initial appointment, along with a urine drug screen. Patients prescribed narcotics will be required to be seen in the office at least twice annually for review, with continual review of the appropriateness of the prescription. 

For patient's of Dr. Abawi, please ask your pharmacy for prescription refill request to be sent to your physician. If your physician requires you to attend the office to review the prescription, we will contact you. Refills will be completed within 5 business days.

For patient's of Dr. Krempowich, please click here for more information

E-Mail Policy   We don't send detailed personal health information directly via e-mail, and instead use a secure system called OCEAN. Appointment reminders are sent by automated e-mail via OCEAN. Please ensure we have an up to date email on file if you would like to utilize this service.  

Phone calls   Because a patient interview and examination are essential for providing quality care, we do not typically offer health advice over the phone. Medical office administrators and assistants are not qualified to offer medical advice. To ensure proper care, please make an appointment rather than calling for health advice. At the doctor's discretion, the staff or doctor may call the patient to communicate issues of importance such as lab results.  

Forms   Please expect any form completion to require a separate appointment - they take time and cannot be combined with other issues. Ideally, forms can be dropped off at the office prior to your appointment for review - we are then able to quote you on the cost for completion and more accurately determine the amount of time to book you in for completion.   

Non-Insured Services    Services that OHIP does not cover are called “non-insured” or “uninsured services” and it is illegal and fraudulent for doctors to bill OHIP for them. Some examples follow, but a full list is in the office.  

Third Party Examinations and Forms: These are examinations requested by a third-party such as pre-employment physicals, driver's medicals, camp physicals, etc. The fee for this service will depend on the extent of the required examination and the complexity of the form.   

Sick Notes  

Prescriptions: for services such as massage, physiotherapy, orthotics

Travel Advice and Vaccinations: Pre-departure travel medicine and immunizations for travel outside of Canada are not covered by OHIP.

Referrals: Requests to redirect a referral to another provider of your choosing after an initial referral has been organized and sent may incur a charge 

Lost prescriptions, forms, notes, or records

Payment can be made by cheque, cash (exact change please) or by e-transfer, or credit card. Payment must be received at or prior to services rendered. $40 charge for all NSF cheques.   All fees incurred must be paid before seeing the doctor at your next visit, and cannot be waived by any staff member. 

   
Privacy Policy  The office has a detailed policy outlining how we protect the privacy of your personal information and medical record. Everyone working for this office is required to adhere to the protections described in this policy. If you have any questions regarding our privacy practices, please contact one of our staff, or discuss with your doctor at your next visit.  

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