FAQs

WHAT ARE THE CLINIC'S COVID-19 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES?

As an essential service provider, we are prepared to see you in-person in our clinic and have implemented safer procedures to minimize risk and exposure to the virus. In-person appointments at the office may increase risk of exposure to the covid-19 virus while on-line appointments by phone or secure video conferencing eliminate risk completely. In accordance with new restrictions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario Businesses, all staff and visitors to the clinic will be screened prior to entering the building. Additionally, sanitization procedures and use of PPE have been implemented. If you are choosing to have your appointment in-person, please follow these procedures:

• Please arrive at your appointment time.
• When you arrive to the parking lot, remain in your vehicle and text your clinician, “(your name) is here.” 
• Your clinician will confirm that you have completed the online Covid-19 symptom screen through our online booking system and once cleared, will meet you at the front door.
• Hand sanitizer will be provided at the door for you to use upon arrival and departure.
• Please note, there is no access to the waiting room or bathroom at this time. You may wish to keep this in mind as you prepare for your appointment. 
• Wear your mask. If you forget your mask, one will be provided. Please wear it at all times during your appointment. All clinicians and staff will do the same.
• For your added safety, high touch areas will be sanitized between all appointments.

Additionally, please reschedule your appointment if you answer yes to any of these questions,  within 48 hours of your appointment time:

• Do you have any of these symptoms: fever; chills; dry cough; headache; new onset of cough; worsening chronic cough; shortness of breath; difficulty breathing; difficulty swallowing; sore throat; runny nose without other known cause (i.e., allergies); decrease or loss of sense of taste or smell?
• Have you returned from travel outside the province of Ontario in the past 14 days?
• Have you been in contact with anyone confirmed to have Covid-19?
• Have you tested positive for Covid-19?
• Are you waiting for results from a laboratory testing for Covid-19?

HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

To make an appointment, please email us on our Meet the Team or Request An Appointment page and include a brief description of your concerns. No referrals are necessary to make an appointment, however, some insurance providers require a doctor's note in order to be reimbursed for fees associated with services.

ARE MY FEES COVERED BY OHIP?

Most fees for services at Brighter Vision are not covered by OHIP, however, many employers' extended healthcare plans and employee assistance plans (EAPs) cover Allied Health Care Services that are provided by College regulated healthcare fields. Please contact your provider or Human Resources representative to confirm your coverage. A receipt is provided so that you may submit it to your insurer for reimbursement. If you do not have benefits that cover your fees, your receipts may be submitted with your income tax as medical expenses and may be covered in part or in full. An accountant may confirm these details for you. We are not able to direct-bill your insurer.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE MY APPOINTMENT?

A session may be cancelled or rescheduled without penalty provided no less than 48 hours notice is given from the time of the appointment. Sessions cancelled or rescheduled within the 48 hour period, and missed appointments, will be charged at the full hourly rate.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENT?

If you prefer to have your sessions via online video conferencing, you will receive an email invitation within a few minutes of your appointment time with a link to our online office. Click on the link in the email and say yes/accept audio and video and you will be brought right into the online office. There is no need to download anything or create an account. The platform used is simple and meets the criteria for the Personal Health Information Privacy Act (PHIPA). Smart phones, tablets, or computers are acceptable devices. The best connections are made when computers are plugged directly into a router with an ethernet cable and the only app running is the online office platform. You will want to ensure you have privacy in your own space during your session. An Informed Consent form for your telehealth appointment will be emailed to you in advance. Payments for telehealth appointments are made by e-transfer and receipts are provided. Appointment times are flexible. It is recommended you meet with your clinician in person for your initial session. However, we are flexible and do our best to accommodate your needs.

ARE MY APPOINTMENTS CONFIDENTIAL?

You are entitled to confidentiality regarding the information you share with a practitioner. Your personal information is held in the strictest of confidence. All information disclosed during therapeutic consultation is protected by privacy act and may only be shared with with another person or agency with your written informed consent. There are some exceptions to confidentiality:

1. Disclosure that your safety or that of another person is at risk. The law requires that imminent danger is reported to the police, a medical doctor, and/or the Children’s Aid Society if a child under the age of 18 is at risk.
2. Disclosure that you or someone else intends to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other neurologically impairing substances/conditions, The law requires the local Motor Vehicle Branch be notified.
3. In the event counselling records are subpoenaed by the court, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

DO YOU PROVIDE CRISIS SUPPORT?

If you are in crisis, please go to the emergency department at your local hospital; call 9-1-1; or call the Huron-Perth Crisis Intervention toll-free number 1-888-829-7484 for 24hr services if you live in the Huron-Perth community. We do not provide crisis support at our office. For more information on community resources, please visit our Resources page.