Protect the Future of Cardiology
The OAC is the only organization in Ontario focused solely on representing the interests of cardiologists and their patients. We exist as a group to advocate for the protection and enhancement of patient access to cardiac care and to ensure that fair remuneration is provided for the life-saving services cardiologists provide. For more than 25 years, the OAC has maintained a leading and effective presence within Ontario’s health care landscape.
The OAC advocates on behalf of our members with the provincial government, the Ontario Medical Association, and other public agencies and professional bodies that make fundamental decisions affecting their ability to deliver vital cardiac care services.
We help all of our members to understand and navigate the continuously changing political health care landscape in order that they can focus on what they do best: Save Lives. 24/7. Some current advocacy priorities include:
Promoting Cardiology’s funding priorities within the 2021 PSA Year 3 specialty allocation process, and the 2024 PSA negotiations process.
Ensuring fairness for echocardiography facility owners within Ontario’s Echocardiography Quality Improvement (EQI) program.
Advocating for more provincial government support for Ontario’s outpatient cardiac care infrastructure.
Opposing the OMA’s income relativity policy (FAIR) and advocating for an alternative that assigns rational value to patient-facing activities, tests, and procedures within and across specialties.
Supporting members through practice management education sessions and group purchasing program opportunities.
The OAC offers strong advocacy and an active presence on behalf of cardiologists within Ontario
What We Offer
The OAC offers strong advocacy and an active presence on behalf of cardiologists within Ontario’s health care landscape. It also provides its members with an opportunity to network, ask questions and share information with colleagues from across the province on key issues facing their practice. Key methods include:
A sophisticated dual audience website presenting a) publicly accessible information b) members-only content with up-to-date analysis of government policy, OMA policy and the current political environment.
A toll-free telephone number for cardiology-related issues including billing, OMA and /or government policy questions.
1-877-504-1239
Regular communication to members via e-mail and social media.
Monthly interactive Webinars with the OAC Board of Directors to keep members well informed and allow questions to be asked directly to the OAC Board. The Webinars are recorded and available 24/7 on a member secure section of our website.
An internal program to assist OAC members with Accreditation Canada’s echocardiography lab accreditation.
Regular analysis of OHIP utilization data shared by webinar.
OHIP billing seminars regarding changes to the fee schedule.
Full financial disclosure of OAC costs each quarter available to any member.
Frequent member surveys used to shape direction of Association.
Membership Eligibility
Membership in the OAC shall be granted based on the following conditions:
- Physicians who are duly licensed or registered to practice medicine in the Province of Ontario in the specialty of cardiology or internal medicine and whose applications for membership in the corporation are approved by the board of directors.
- Physicians who are currently enrolled in a cardiology residency or fellowship program.
All members who have paid their memberships in full are deemed active and in good standing.
Membership Categories
Regular Members ($1,500)
OAC members who are cardiologists or internal medicine specialists are categorized as Regular Members unless they are eligible for another membership category.
Postgraduate ($0)
Individuals enrolled in a cardiology residency or fellowship program. This membership is in effect until December 31st of the year the physician receives certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
New-in-Practice ($375)
OAC members are eligible for the New-in-Practice membership rate in the first year of practice following formal training.
Part-Time Practicing ($375)
OAC members who practice less than 20 hours per week can be considered for this fee category. The member may be required to provide details of their professional activity, hours of work, and additional details.
Retired ($0)
Retired cardiologists that wish to stay informed of the OAC and have access to relevant benefits of membership are eligible for the Retired membership category. These members do not have voting rights.
OAC Sponsor
Organizations who employ cardiologists and/or support the mission of the OAC to make Ontario the best place to practice cardiology and receive cardiac care may be afforded OAC sponsorship opportunities. Fees are commensurate with the number of cardiologists from their organization who opt-in to OAC membership or costs related to specific activities and events. Sponsors are not OAC members and do not have voting rights.
Membership Year
OAC’s professional membership year is July 1st to June 30th. All professional memberships expire on June 30th regardless of when they commenced. Members may be active, however not in ‘good standing’ until their membership dues have been paid in full.
Membership Renewals
Professional memberships are due for renewal by July 1st, the start of the membership year. Those members who have not renewed by July 1st will be provided with a 90-day grace period to pay their dues in full to remain in good standing. Members who have not renewed their memberships by December 31st will no longer be considered to be in good standing.