Some Frequently asked Questions (FAQs) and clinic guidelines
It’s important to always carry your Alberta Health Care card with you. If you require health care services in Alberta, and don’t have your Alberta Health Care information available, you may be asked to pay before you can receive these health services, which could be quite costly.
Please make sure that you let us know if any of your contact information changes- address, email, phone #, insurance company, preferred pharmacy, spouse or emergency contacts. Send us any updates thru HealthMyself, westsidemedical.ca or call us at 403-686-3628 as we don’t recommend use of email for personal information.
What happens if I am unable to attend an appointment?
Please call the office to cancel your appointment as soon as possible during clinic working hours Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. Westside Medical policy includes a $50.00 fee for no-show appointments, or late cancellations . We require at least 24-hours advance notice of appointment changes or cancellations so that we can utilize available resources to accommodate other patients with pressing medical concerns.
What happens if I am unable to attend a Complete Physical, or a Procedural appointment?
If you booked for an annual physical or medical procedures call 2 days in advance to confirm your appointment. There is a $100.00 fee for any complete examination or procedural medical appointments (minor surgery, IUD insertion) for which you do not show up. If you are a new patient and you miss your first appointment, another appointment will not be made with any Physician in the clinic. After two no shows you will be asked to find a new doctor.
Are patients able to switch doctors between clinic physicians?
We restrict switches by patients between clinic Physicians. As a clinic, we do not believe that this is appropriate, and indeed, we strongly believe in the professional obligation of Physicians to accept Patients on a first-come, first-served basis. Allowing switches between Physicians for one family member or the entire family within a clinic unfortunately undercuts this foundational principle. It also provides a loophole that incentivizes subtly suggesting to certain Patients that perhaps another Physician would be better suited to their needs and expectations, in the hopes that the Patient requests a switch.
Are no news good news at Westside Medical?
At Westside Medical we do not assume “no news is good news”. When tests are being ordered, book your follow up appointment to review all test results. Test results are not given by staff over the phone, and are discussed only with the patient present, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
What do I expect after I get referred to a Specialist ?
You must see your family physician to get a referral to a specialist. Referrals will be procsesed by the referral staff. You will be called about the date and time once that appointment is con firmed. If you are not able to attend the appointment time or date given, please call the specialist’s of fice to re-book. You will be getting an email notifying you of your specialist appointment within 4 weeks. If you do not receive an initial update informing you that your specialist has received the referral within 4 weeks, please contact us to inquire about the status of your referral. Please remember to book a follow up appointment 4 weeks after you see the specialist to follow up on the specialist recommendations on your diagnosis, or changes in medication.
What type of services are not covered by Alberta Health ?
There are a number of services that are not covered by the Alberta Healthcare Insurance Plan. Westside Medical follows Alberta Medical Association guidelines for pricing of uninsured services. Prices associated with Uninsured Services are posted at the clinic.
Do you offer walk-in clinic?
No, however we do our best to see patients in a timely manner. Please call the office to be seen by the next available doctor, if your family physician is not available to see you.
Can I get a same-day appointment?
All of our appointments are booked in advance, but we do reserve some time during the day for emergencies for our patients. Call ahead to check on our doctors’ availability for a same day appointment , we reserve 4 appointments for urgent matters. Please be aware this slots are not for refills or lab results that are not urgent.
Can I call to talk to my doctor, get my prescription, or get my results?
Re fills are not routinely done by phone. Please partner with your physician and pharmacist to avoid running out of medication between visits. You may contact your drugstore for the status of re fills that may be left on your prescription. If there are no refills left, call the clinic early to arrange an appointment to review your condition and medications. Please call us to book an appointment if you need to speak to a physician. Please make a separate appointment for each family member.
WESTSIDE MEDICAL 3D TOUR CLICK
Registered patients
