Annual Block Fee 

At LMC Healthcare, our priority is providing you with high-quality, accessible, patient-focused care. While OHIP covers most aspects of your health care, OHIP does not cover the cost of all of the services provided to our patients.

The demand for uninsured services has risen dramatically in the last several years. By enrolling in the Annual Block Fee program, it will reduce the amount of time our office staff spends on administrative tasks, improving the efficiency of the care we provide to you and your family.

This program is designed to reduce patient costs. For a flat fee, patients get 12 months of unlimited uninsured services. We are pleased to also offer several new services to our patients to make health care for you more convenient. Access to a dedicated email for non-emergency medical inquiries and access to a phone-line with live agents for appointment booking, cancellation, and re-booking requests, along with forgiveness for one no-show fee will be included, among other services, in the Annual Block Fee. Register on the Patient Portal to learn more.

By choosing to make one annual payment, you will be covered for many uninsured services, and will not be billed separately for individual services not covered by OHIP. Using uninsured services is completely optional and declining them will in no way impact the health care we provide you.

Please click here to read the Annual Block Fee introductory letter that you may have already received by email.

To register for the Annual Bock Fee program, we are asking that all patients please register on our new Patient Portal to learn more about these policies, and so you can indicate your preferences for uninsured services/block fee subscriptions.

Please note you will require your health card information to verify your identity.

Support Options for Patients: Many private insurance plans cover the costs of uninsured services/block fees. Patients without insurance who cannot afford to pay for uninsured services may qualify for our compassion program.

Should you have any questions about the Annual Block Fee program that are not answered here, please feel send us an email at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questons

What are uninsured services?

Uninsured services are services that are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), because they are considered “not medically necessary”.

Uninsured services include filling pharmacy prescription renewals requests (outside of clinic appointments), filling out medical forms, compensation for no-show appointments, and responding to medical inquiries (outside of clinic appointments).

Are clinics allowed to charge for uninsured services?

Yes, the Ontario government permits clinics to charge for these services.
LMC has set pricing for uninsured services based on guidelines from the Ontario Medical Association (OMA).

What is a block fee?

A block fee is a fixed amount that covers a set of services or a period of time, rather than paying for each individual service separately. For a flat fee, patients get 12 months of unlimited uninsured services. This also includes access to a dedicated email for non-emergency medical inquiries and access to a phone-line with live agents for appointment booking, cancellation, and re-booking requests, along with forgiveness for one no-show fee.

Do I need to be a block fee member to access the dedicated email for non-emergency medical inquiries and phone-line with live agents?

No. Patients who do not sign up for block fees can still pay for dedicated email for non-emergency medical inquiries on a one-off basis. They can also pay for a yearly subscription to access the phone-line with live agents.

How does a block fee benefit me as a patient?

Block fees offer convenience and cost savings for patients who require frequent medical care or expect to use multiple uninsured services throughout the year. The block fee program is designed to save patients money and better manage their medical expenses.

How do I know if the block fee program is right for me?

Consider your healthcare needs, frequency of uninsured services used, and budget when deciding whether the block fee program is suitable. If you anticipate needing multiple services throughout the year, a block fee might offer cost savings and convenience.

Will my insurance cover block fee costs?

Yes, many private insurance plans will cover the cost a block fee. Please contact your insurance provider for details.

Can the cost of a block fee be claimed on my taxes?

According to the Canada Revenue Agency, money paid to a medical clinic for services, such as block fees, are considered an eligible medical expense.

How do I sign up for the block fee program?

LMC has set up a patient portal where you will be able to sign up for block fees.

This portal is free to access for all patients – this includes access to our online booking tool that allows patients to conveniently schedule, reschedule, or cancel appointments.

Is paying for uninsured services or subscribing to the block fee program optional for patients?

Yes, these are both completely optional. Choosing to not purchase uninsured services/subscribe to the block fee program will in no way impact the health care we provide you.