Subsidized Patient Program & Staff Discounts

In February 2010 we established BMI's subsidized patient program. BMI will subsidize two patients per month with a cost to them of only $250 for the entire 22 week program. The subsidized version does not differ from our non-subsidized program and still includes all materials, unlimited one-on-one appointments with our registered dietitians, on-site group fitness classes, and one-on-one fitness training. The reason we are including any fee at all is that both in our experience and in studies, fees help with program compliance as they provide a financial disincentive to noncompliance and lead patients to take the program more seriously.

Our subsidized patient program is offered for low income patients who you feel as a physician it will benefit most. We do not require credit checks and instead rely on your good judgment to ascertain need. However, unlike our standard program, self-referral to this program is not an option and therefore a formalized requisition for the subsidized program must be completed by you before the patient will be considered. Demand for this service has been quite high and priority is given on a first come first served basis. Please note that referrals that are prepared to pay our regular fee do not require a requisition and will not need to be wait listed.

As we are well aware of how hectic your schedule is, we have endeavored to make the process of accessing our subsidized patient program as simple as possible so we've created a fillable PDF application form. In order to receive the form, please contact our front desk at 613.730.0264 and you will be provided with the instructions you'll need to access it.

As well, for physicians who register for our subsidized patient program, in addition to the PDF application, BMI is pleased to be able to offer you and your office some tools that we hope will make your practice a little easier:

• Email access to all of BMI staff (physicians, registered dietitians, psychologist and personal trainers) for any weight management questions that may come up in your practice with a promised maximal 24 hour weekday response time (and hopefully within the hour).
• Monthly newsletters designed specifically to help you deal with weight management issues in your practice and keep you up to date in the latest weight and nutrition related research.
• First access sign up to all accredited continuing education talks relating to weight management that are sponsored by BMI.
• A 20% discount on our program to any staff member in your practice with provided proof of employment.

In regard to the last item, we realize that weight is often a very private matter and unless you've spoken with your staff personally about their weight we would suggest simply informing all staff of the available discount by means of a posting or generalized email rather than mentioning it to any of your staff members specifically - all they would need to do to qualify for the discount would be to bring in a pay stub from your office and they do not need to obtain a referral from you.

Should you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact us.