In 2020, many family physicians were forced to switch to virtual care due to COVID. As a result, nearly 52% of appointments were changed to virtual assistance, including psychotherapy and consultations.
Even though it may be difficult and even frustrating to speak with your doctor on the phone, it can also offer significant benefits. For example, many parents are still working while their children are studying in a virtual classroom. A 15-minute call instead of an hour commute, wait, and finally, the appointment is a lot more efficient and safer.
This article will discuss Appletree Medical Group and how they swiftly made the change to virtual care.
Who Is Eligible to Use Appletree?
Anyone is eligible to use Appletree Medical Clinics. However, there are some conditions to some of the services. For example, the Virtual Care service has an age requirement of four years old and up.
Additionally, anyone who is not a resident of Ontario must be in Ontario during their appointment. Appletree Medical Clinic does not conduct meetings with those outside the province.
How Much Does Appletree Cost?
OHIP, the Ontario Provincial Health Insurance Plan, covers the major costs of your visit. However, do note that some of the services that Appletree Medical provides are not covered by OHIP.
These services include, but are not limited to:
- Allergy Test ($234.50)
- Copy and Transfer of Medical Records ($45)
- Cosmetic Wart Treatment ($25)
- Pap Test ($129)
- Third-Party Physical ($171)
Additionally, patients out of province or otherwise not covered by OHIP, whether Canadian Residents or not, need to pay a flat fee of $75 including tax for their visit.
Are There Membership Fees?
There are not! There is, however, an excellent online feature called the Patient Portal that allows you to stay up to date in between appointments.
Waiting for results is stressful and, in return be detrimental to your health. With the free Patient Portal, you can view the status of your test result, book appointments, and get updates on the status of your health.
What Types of Services Does Appletree Provide?
Appletree Medical Group adapted quickly to the new COVID-19 standards with their already implemented virtual clinic. However, since COVID, they streamlined their services to accommodate the new regulations while still providing excellent service.
Family Medical Services
Appletree is ready to serve all ages, from infants to seniors. You can book an appointment either in-person or with a virtual doctor. The doctors can access digital records for efficient care.
Walk-In Services
One service that Appletree prides itself on is its Walk-In service. The medical clinics across the province are passionate about providing flexible and accessible services.
Before you visit a clinic for a walk-in appointment, you can check online to determine which clinic has the shortest wait time. Then, once you arrive, you can self-check-in, allowing for limited social contact, at their kiosk, where you will provide the reason for your appointment, your medical history, and any concerns you may have.
Make sure to bring your health card and a list of your medications.
Telemedicine
You can conduct telemedicine appointments at an Appletree Clinic or a Telemedicine Clinic. The platform that Appletree uses allows for online doctors in Canada to examine and listen to your concerns.
There are some restrictions, however. Some medical conditions require an in-person assessment. These include abdominal pain, chest pain, pelvic exams, and emergency symptoms.
Virtual Care
Virtual care is similar to telemedicine, as the appointments are entirely conducted online. Additionally, the same restrictions apply to certain medical conditions.
The difference, however, is that your virtual appointment is entirely from the comfort of your own home. As a result, there is no need to leave the house, risk exposure to COVID, and potentially leave your children for an extended period of time.
You can even have an online doctor visit at work! You can schedule an appointment during your break to avoid any time off. All you need to do is use your smartphone or log onto a trusted computer via the patient portal.
The Virtual Care Clinic offers licensed physicians, specialists, and even a dentist. All of these doctors are Canadian and are in Canada during your appointment.
Appletree Resources
There are many resources available on the Appletree website to help you prepare for whatever visit you prefer.
You can check the complete price list of uninsured services, the private vaccine price list, insurance and reimbursements, or forms to file for a transfer of your medical records.
Additionally, there is a Code of Conduct brochure which states what the expectations are from each patient and visitor. It also includes their policies regarding test results, narcotics and addictive medicine, and prescription renewals.
It goes without saying that any violence or threatening behaviour is prohibited within the clinic. Whether the clinic is virtual or in-person, all individuals must be treated with respect and should feel welcome to access the services of Appletree.
Visit Appletree Medical Group Today!
Your physical and mental health should be at the forefront of your priorities. Health should never be on the sidelines of the game we call life. It is the most crucial player in the field.
Appletree Medical Group values your health and has adapted its services to the busyness of this world. It is evident in their response to COVID that they want to be accessible for every person in need of medical assistance.
At Insurdinary, we agree with these values. They are important to us and drive us to serve you better. We specialize in creating a platform that can help you make the best decision for your health. As you can see, not all expenses are covered by OHIP or other provincial programs.
Talk to us today and compare the different plans that are right for you!
