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 20 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 and recent issues on which the OAC has been actively involved include:
Opposing proposed government funding cuts to cardiac diagnostics (including echocardiography), which if implemented will reduce patient access to cardiac services.
Ensuring fairness for echocardiography facility owners within CorHealth Ontario’s Echocardiography Quality Improvement (EQI) program.
Collaborating with OntarioMD to develop a new Cardiology EMR Specification for EMR vendors to incorporate into their offerings.
Advocating for more provincial government funding to support Ontario’s outpatient cardiac care infrastructure.
Providing expertise to Health Quality Ontario-led health technology assessment projects focused on (1) Remote Cardiac Monitoring and (2) Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, as well as a standards development initiative for congestive heart failure care in the community.
Opposing the OMA’s income relativity policy (CANDI) and re-shaping it to incorporate and accurately reflect the extensive working hours of cardiologists
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
Bi-Weekly (or more frequently when necessary) communication to members using Twitter, fax or e-mail blasts.
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 CorHealth Ontario’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.