What is a Family Health Organization?
A Family Health Organization, or FHO, is a primary healthcare model of the Ontario Medical Association and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The goal of an FHO is to provide patients with readily accessible healthcare that works with their schedule.
For FHOs to be effective, enrolled patients commit to receiving their primary health care from their primary physician or, if unavailable, another doctor in the FHO.
FHOs provide care during regular and extended office hours and patients also have access to a nurse-staffed Telephone Health Advisory Service.
Benefits of a FHO
When you are a Family Health Organization patient at Kipling Heights Medical Centre you enjoy the following benefits:
- A team of doctors that provide primary health care, chronic disease management and self-help tools to improve health
- Ability to call for same-day appointments based on availability
- Extended weekday and weekend hours
- Requests for us to advocate for you to get the tests and services you need
- Requests for us to make appropriate referrals on your behalf
- Telephone health advice 24/7 through the Telephone Health Advisory Service
Family Health Organization FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked about FHOs. Don't see the answer to your question? Contact us for more information, we'd be happy to answer your question.
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What does enrolling with a FHO mean?
A Family Health Organization (FHO) is a group of family physicians who are working together to give you and your family better access to comprehensive primary healthcare services. When you enroll with a physician, you agree to contact that physician when you need primary medical advice or treatment. You are making a promise to do that unless there is an emergency or you are travelling away from home. Your enrolment with a Family Health Team is voluntary.
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Is your FHO accepting patients?
Yes. Some of the physicians at KHMC are currently accepting new patients to be rostered to our FHO. Please call us to get the most updated information as to which physician is accepting new patients.
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Can I go to another walk-in clinics if I am part of your FHO?
The preference is that you do not go to another walk-in clinic outside Kipling Heights Medical Centre. The government of Ontario compensates Family Health Organizations for having extended evening and weekend hours to ensure patients have access to urgent medical care.
If you belong to the Kipling Heights FHO, your doctor will be billed by OHIP if you visit a different clinic.
Additionally, if you go to a different walk-in clinic, we will not receive records of your visit. This means our records of your health will be fragmented or incomplete - making it more challenging to offer you the comprehensive ongoing care you deserve. -
Do you offer same-day visits?
We offer same-day visits if you require immediate medical attention that cannot wait for a booked appointment.
Walk-in Structure:
Please call our clinic to book an appointment before using our after-hours service. If you cannot get a same-day appointment and need urgent care, you may use the After-Hours Urgent Clinic.
Our urgent care clinic is staffed by our family doctors who rotate on-call. To access our Urgent Care services, you must be a patient of one of our FHO physicians.
After-hours Clinic Hours:
Monday -Thursday: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 8:00 am - 11:00 amPlease note that if you need a renewal of any narcotics or controlled medications, you must see your regular family physician during daytime hours.
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What if I am sick outside of your clinic hours?
If you are sick outside our After-Hours Urgent Care Clinic, please call Telehealth Ontario in non-emergency situations.
Toll-Free: 1 (866) 797-0000
In case of an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
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What services are not covered by OHIP for patients that are part of a FHO?
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) pays for most of your medical visits to our office.
There are, however, some services not covered by OHIP. These include:
- Document Copies
- File Transfers
- Quick Strep Tests
- Pap Test (if patient requests sooner than every 3 years)
- Missed Appointments
- Sick Note
- Ear Syringe
- Referral Forms: Massage / Physio / Chiropractic Services / Back Support / Orthotics / Stockings
- Drivers Physical
- Disability Tax Form (Form T2201)
- Short Term Disability
- EI Medical Certificate Form
- Third Party FAF Form (not WSIB)
- TTC Form
- Attending Physician’s Statement (APS) Form
- TB Skin Test For Employment
- Toronto Housing (case by case)
- Airport Security
- Immunization Forms for School/Work
- Ministry of Transportation Forms
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Do you offer any services to patients not enrolled in your FHO?
Yes, some of our services may be available to patients outside of our FHO. Please call for more information.