Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQ
Q. What is the Dominion CardTM? Do I have to pay for it?
A. The Dominion Card is a free benefit to all DMC patients that provides automated check-in as well as many other benefits.
Q. Are you a private medical clinic where I will have to pay extra for my care?
A. No, DMC is not a private medical clinic. We are strong advocates for public health care and adhere to the Canada Health Act. As with all medical clinics, the vast majority of our services are covered by your provincial health care insurance plan. There are NO additional fees. You will only be charged for services that the provincial government has deemed to be uninsured and therefore not covered. For a list of these services, please download our Services Not Covered by Alberta Health & Wellness Brochure.
Q. How can I help?
A. Prioritize your problems so that your physician can be efficient and complete. It will help yourself and the patients in the waiting room reduce the time you need to wait to see a doctor. In addition, remember that walk-in services are intended for simple medical problems or prescription refills. Complicated problems should be addressed during a scheduled appointment in our family practice. To learn more tips on maximizing your visit to the doctor, download our Why Do I Have To Wait So Long To See My Doctor brochure.
Q. Why can’t I get enough medication to last a year?
A. Some medications can be prescribed for a year if no ongoing monitoring is required. However, most medications do require periodic examinations, laboratory tests etc. to ensure you are receiving the full benefit of the medication, and to ensure you are not being harmed by it.
Q. Can I phone the clinic for prescription refills?
A. Yes! Simple medications that do not require a visit to the doctor may be refilled over the phone using our Rx ExpressTM service by calling 436-MEDS (436-6337) Please note a $9 fee applies for each call your doctor makes to your pharmacy.
Q. What if I cannot afford to pay for uninsured services?
A. DMC recognizes that some patients are simply unable to pay for un-insured services due to financial constraints or personal circumstances. Examples of individuals who cannot afford to pay for uninsured services include: the unemployed, seniors on fixed incomes and people on AISH or social assistance. These patients may complete an Application for Exemption Form for consideration by our Community Support Committee. If approved, patients will receive an exemption from payment. Ask our helpful staff for an application next time you visit the clinic.
Living Well Executive Health Examination™
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is the Living Well Executive Health Examination™ considered to be “private medicine”?
A. No. The Living Well Executive Health Examination™ focuses on preventive health screening and since screening tests are not funded by the provincial health plan, they can only be offered on a fee-for-service basis.
Q. How quickly can my Living Well Executive Health Examination™ be scheduled?
A. If required we can conduct your Living Well Executive Health Examination™ within two or three business days of your request.
Q. How long does a Living Well Executive Health Examination™ take?
A. Approximately five hours of your time is required. We can schedule everything to be completed on one day or split it over two days (these days do not need to be consecutive).
Q. Will I need to spend time waiting to see the doctor?
A. No, every examination is carefully planned to eliminate any waiting on your part. In fact, our physicians only see one executive client every two hours. This allows us to spend the needed time with each client and still remain on schedule.
Q. What if I already have a family doctor?
A. It is our intention that the Living Well Executive Health Examination™ will compliment regular care from your family physician. If you wish a copy of all test results will be sent to your doctor. If you do not have a family physician it would be our privilege to provide you and your family with ongoing care.
Q. How much does a Living Well Executive Health Examination™ cost?
A. The costs begin at $1,050 and are dependent on the screening tests requested. Since every client is unique, it is best to contact us directly to discuss your particular needs. Greg MacKinnon, our Director of Occupational Health Services can be reached at (780-)702-4985 or via email .
Q. Should I have a Living Well Executive Health Examination™ every year?
A. Yes, most people should schedule an annual screening examination. Doing so allows you to properly track your progress and build on past successes, or if needed, assists you to identify obstacles to success.