To All Ontario Family Physicians                                January 25, 2006.

Navigating the Storm Together
Take Charge of Your Future

Dear Colleagues,

Family Medicine in Ontario, as in the rest of Canada, is in crisis, with fewer and fewer doctors choosing it as their career path.  There exist both catalysts and obstructions to meaningful change, with time quickly running out as doctors retire or simply leave the profession.  In June 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada decision on the Chaoulli/Zeliotis case was a catalyst for necessary change.  In Ontario, however, the government's highly restrictive Bill 8, the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act, is a severe obstruction to such change.  By concentrating power in the hands of government, it prevents much-needed innovation and punishes those doctors who attempt it.  It is ironic that this Bill, touted to improve the rights of individuals, actually violates a myriad of civil rights including those of physicians and patients alike.

We invite you to join the COFP on June 3, 2006 at the Toronto Prince Hotel to attend a groundbreaking conference on the future of Family Medicine, including critical issues that are seldom publicly debated.  These include the legal status of Bill 8 with respect to the Canadian Charter of Rights, and the role of private healthcare alternatives in our medical system.  We will also provide a presentation on cutting-edge developments in metabolic/cardiac risk assessment and treatment that goes far beyond lipids, blood sugar and hypertension.  Our planned list of speakers includes an eminent constitutional lawyer and Mr. Don Copeman of Copeman Healthcare from Vancouver, as well as an internationally acknowledged expert in the metabolic syndrome.  We also plan to invite a representative of the Ontario Ministry of Health to provide and debate the government's vision of the future of healthcare.  We will provide the finalized details next month.

In the past 10 years, the COFP has played a pivotal role in the abolition of the draconian MRC audit system, has publicized the physician shortages that increasingly plague Ontario, and has become the trusted voice of family doctors in Ontario.  In fact, we have now inspired the formation of a new COFP in British Columbia.  Recently, we have sent you communications on the nature of true leadership, the pitfalls of political rhetoric, and an appeal for a balanced and rational approach to saving our healthcare system.

We have also introduced you to CallerMD – a simple and effective way to bill for uninsured services.  CallerMD typically generates $18,000 to $30,000 of additional annual income with a guaranteed minimum of $6,500 for COFP members.  The response to CallerMD has been excellent, with hundreds of COFP members indicating that they would like CallerMD to help them bill for all of the uninsured services that they provide.  This is but one type of solution to the present funding problems.  It is available today, and can substantially benefit most family physicians easing their economic concerns.  We urge you to consider it for your practice.  To find out more about CallerMD, visit www.callermd.com , email info@callermd.com or call (416) 779-DOCS.
 
The COFP has always championed the interests of Ontario's family doctors and their patients.  However, family medicine is now reaching its flashpoint, and a great deal needs to be done at once if it is going to survive.  The COFP has tried to set the stage for much-needed changes to our healthcare system, and has never been afraid of speaking out.

Please join us on June 3, 2006 for our conference at the Toronto Prince Hotel to discuss the pressing issues facing you today.  Be there and show the people of Ontario you care about being a family physician and want them to know it.  Take charge of your future!

We'd like to share with you some of the comments that we have received from COFP members who have already started using CallerMD:

“I always assumed that charging for uninsured services had to be complicated.  But CallerMD made it simple.  We were up and running in half an hour, and the office is much more efficient now.”

- Dr. M. Moore

“Using CallerMD has been surprisingly easy, and my income has increased substantially.  I strongly recommend this service to all COFP members.”

- Dr. M. Weinstock

“I wasn't sure how my patients would react to paying for uninsured services, but CallerMD did a great job educating my patients.  The response has been positive, and now I'm earning a significant additional amount each month.  I have also been impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication of all the CallerMD professionals.”

- Dr. T. Maimets

“Excellent service.  There was certainly a lot of hesitation on our part to do this, but it was so easy.  And it's working great.”

- Dr. R. Pellow

“This is an excellent product.  The CallerMD service is simple to integrate into the practice and easy to use.”

- Dr. P. Vadas

As a member of the Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario, you will receive a 33% discount off of CallerMD's regular billing rates.  You can also receive a $50 rebate off your 2006 COFP Membership Dues simply by having a representative of CallerMD visit your office to discuss how their service can benefit you and your staff.  However, due to the excellent response to date for CallerMD, this $50 rebate will only be available to those who return their membership form by February 15, 2006.

Sincerely,
 
Douglas Mark MD, President
and the Board of the Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario

P.S. Don't forget, if you'd like to learn more about CallerMD, just check the box on your COFP Membership Form or on the online payment option.

*********Click here to visit the COFP's Membership Page***********

Join, renew, give feedback, and make political action & legal challenge contributions online at www.cofp.com

P L E A S E    N O T E    O U R    N E W    A D D R E S S

THE COALITION OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS OF ONTARIO
45 Sheppard Ave E, Suite 900, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5W9

Tel.: (416) 412-1474 Toll Free Tel.: 1-866-495-4346
Fax: (416) 412-7297 Toll Free Fax:1-866-495-4349