News and announcements
Find the latest information and important resources for running your practice
PHO pauses specimen collection service changes
We’ve shared your concerns with Public Health Ontario regarding its recently announced decision to stop supplying specimen collection materials. As a result, PHO will be pausing these changes for six months. Physicians who previously sourced kits from PHO can continue these orders until Sept. 30.
Find out more about the transition.
Infant RSV immunization campaign extended
Due to continued circulation of RSV this season, the Ministry of Health recommends that Beyfortus (nirsevimab) should continue to be administered to eligible infants beyond the original March 31 program cutoff date. The Abrysvo vaccine should be considered for pregnant individuals whose babies are due in early spring and who are unwilling to accept infant immunization, as RSV rates remain elevated.
A memo with further details will be shared closer to the end of the season. Learn more about Ontario’s publicly funded RSV prevention programs.
Submit your schedule modernization proposals
The Physician Payment Committee is now accepting member group submissions. In recent weeks, OMA constituency leaders have submitted proposals to modernize the Schedule of Benefits as part of the process to implement the general increases for Years 2-4 of the 2024-28 Physician Services Agreement.
Member groups have until March 2 to submit any proposals that were not submitted by their section leadership. To be eligible, submissions must meet several requirements. To learn more and access the submission forms, visit the PPC web page.
The updated Schedule of Benefits will take effect on April 1, 2027. Get the latest updates and check out our FAQs.
Reduce admin tasks with OMD support
Too many doctors are drowning in unnecessary paperwork and inefficient workflows — time that should go to patient care instead of forms and follow‑ups. That was the reality for family physician Dr. Christine Palmay. But with support from OntarioMD’s advisory service, she was able to pinpoint what was slowing her practice down, streamline processes and reclaim meaningful time in her day. If administrative burden is standing in your way, OMD advisors can help you identify what’s slowing you down and offer practical, no‑cost solutions to lighten your load. Read more in OMD’s Going Above and Beyond series.
Prepare for retirement with HOOPP
Thought about your retirement lately? District 4 recently hosted an information session about the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan. Watch the webinar to learn more about the plan’s benefits for incorporated physicians and medical professional corporations that are HOOPP employers.
Shame in medicine and peer support as a way forward
Shame is a silent yet powerful force that impacts identity and erodes confidence. Watch the Physician Health Program’s town hall to learn and hear from the panel of experts who shared personal stories, strategies for building shame resilience and how peer support strengthens our professional community.
Start the new year with a cybersecurity tune-up
Read about simple steps to help safeguard you and your practice with 10 privacy and cybersecurity tips in a new blog from OntarioMD.
Looking for more suggestions on how to protect your practice? The OMD Advisory Service Team is just a phone call away, or email us at support@ontariomd.com.
CPSO rolls out new provisional class for physicians
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario introduced a new provisional registration class on Jan. 1 to better reflect physicians’ practice terms and professional standing.
The provisional class includes physicians whose certificates of registration have only limitations related to registration pathways (e.g., scope of practice limitations). The restricted class now only includes physicians whose certificates of registration have limitations relating to practice concerns or disciplinary action.
The change was automatic, so no action is needed. The CPSO has already notified eligible physicians.
2026 uninsured services resources now available
Updated versions of the Physician’s Guide to Uninsured Services and 2026 Schedule of Fees are now online.
Key changes, implemented by the OMA’s Uninsured Services Committee, include the 2026 multiplier of 2.90 used for calculating OMA suggested fees for uninsured services. A Suggested Form Fees 2026 entry has also been added.
Find more information about billing for uninsured services on our website. There’s also an information poster for your patients, available for download in English and French.
Upcoming events
Learn more about upcoming practice management events
Key contacts
MOH 24/7 health-care provider hotline
Call 1-866-212-2272
Public Health Ontario
Laboratory’s Customer Service Centre: 416-235-6556 / 1-877-604-4567 or After-Hours Emergency Duty Officer: 416-605-3113
Local public health unit
Contact information
OHIP email updates
The Ministry of Health regularly publishes INFOBulletins, which offer information on payment, program or policy changes with regard to the SOB and/or other payment information, and updates related to system outages, scheduled maintenance, announcements of new services and OHIP claims office moves or closures.