Sample – Letter #2

To Patients Requesting Their Enrolment In Annual Block Billing Plan

Dr. [enter name]

[Insert Date]

Dear Patients:

Several weeks ago, I wrote to you advising you that it had become necessary for me to implement changes in my office policy and that I would now have to charge patients and third party agencies, such as insurance companies and employers for services not covered by OHIP. This letter explains my new program in detail and also outlines the payment options available to you and your family. I will be implementing the changes effective [enter date].

Attached to this letter is the current list of most of the services for which charges will be rendered directly to patients and/or their third party agents such as insurance companies, lawyers and employers.

To avoid any confusion about payment for these uninsured services, it is important that you state the reason for your visit at the time of making an appointment. As you have come to expect, medically necessary services will be covered by the Ontario insurance plan. My office staff will endeavor to inform you at the time of your call what services are not covered by OHIP and what charges, if any, will be payable directly to you.

In an effort to minimize these charges and to bring some efficiency to my practice, I ask that you consider paying for any uninsured services through a annual 'Block Fee". This 'Block Fee" will cover you and your family for a specific group of uninsured services for the period of one year. The 'Block Fee" plan is purely voluntary. You may pay for each individual service as it is rendered and this is your choice, but please remember that as of the above date, you will be expected to pay for each uninsured service before leaving my office. For your convenience, you may pay by cash or credit card.

To help with the introduction of the 'Block Fee' plan, I do need to know whether you wish to enroll in the program or if you wish to pay for each uninsured service at the time it is rendered. You can appreciate that I want to make the administration of this program as efficient as possible for both my patients and my office staff. Knowing what you preference is becomes important to setting up the program. I have set the annual 'Block Fee' rates at a level such that will realize the greatest benefit by enrolling in the program.

You should know that before setting up this program, I consulted with other family physicians and my professional organizations to ensure the program details follow guidelines established.

Please complete the attached form and return it to our office in the envelope enclosed for your convenience before [insert date – two weeks after mailing date].

I want to thank you for the trust you have placed in me as your family doctor and I thank you also for your understanding of the need to implement these changes at this time.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. [enter name]