1. Is this private health care?
The enhanced service at Mom and Baby Depot is made possible by using the nursing and other support staff to their maximum potential. Nursing staff providing counseling and lactation services under the direction of a physician are not paid for by OHIP. By using highly skilled nursing staff committed to continuous learning we are able to allow our doctors to provide more time, above and beyond what OHIP pays for, with member clients. The physicians work closely with the nursing staff to set a course of treatment or evaluation and work together to see it through. Our doctors bill direct to OHIP for all patient medically essential health care provided.
We do provide private services for CAM health care, breastfeeding support, registered dietitian and educational programs (all non-OHIP covered). Mom and Baby Depot is correctly defined as a “Public-private-partnership”.
2. Why a membership fee?
The fee covers for registered health practitioners working collaboratively with our MD’s to provide counseling, educational and breastfeeding services, not covered by OHIP.
The fee also allows Mom and Baby Depot to purchase “User Rights” to many of the specialized health supervision, educational and healthy life style programs provided in the membership package.
The fee also allows us to provide staff and space to fulfill our Family-centered enhancements.
3. How does Dad fit into “Mom and Baby depot?”
Dads are included in every visit at Mom and Baby Depot. Although our specialty is in service to pregnant women and early child development the whole family is crucial to a child’s development from mother’s partner to siblings, grandparents and beyond. Our nurse, dietitian, education, massage and alternative care provider services are available to all family members.
4. Even with membership why do we still have to pay for some services?
Membership packages were designed to provide essential services to support best practice for breastfeeding and child development. These services would be predictably used by over 90% of persons purchasing membership service. Only about 50% of families choose to use alternative care providers and other specialty services, not delivered by Mom and Baby Depot staff. Including all services in membership packages would have required a significant fee increase for all families. We opt instead to provide a discount for these services with membership.
5. Why does the membership fee decrease from year to year?
The fee is based on the time needed to deliver Bright Futures at every health supervision visit along with staff time to best support breastfeeding. As health supervision visits decrease every year from birth to age 4 and breastfeeding support is usually needed only in the first year, our calculated costs per client decrease each year. The decrease fee never implies that member families loose any of the family-centered enhancements provided throughout their years as a member.
6. I have 3 children; do I pay full years membership for each child?
Our fees are determined by the cost for your youngest family member. All other siblings receive the full package of membership services geared to their age at a single charge per sibling to cover registration and educational aid costs for each sibling per year.
7. Is it affordable?
The value of our service to you is determined by the value you place on investing in your child’s development from birth and before. Long-term breastfeeding can provide health well into adult years and saves over $3000.00 in formula costs for a child’s first year. Positive parenting and healthy lifestyle supports from infancy can save thousands in anguished parenting hours and lost time from employment. Adolescent independence and competence in healthy adolescent behaviors achieved through Bright Futures offers parents a wealth of mental health security!
Our membership fees are an eligible medical tax expense and are covered under some Employee Health Spending Accounts for full reimbursement. Individual registered practitioner services (e.g. chiropractor / dietitian) are usually covered under private health extended benefits.
Full membership over your child’s early year’s costs less than a premium cup of coffee per day!
We offer flexible payment schedules to suit our individual needs.
8. We are thinking of buying membership for our unborn child. Is there a benefit to signing up before the baby is born?
Yes. Families who sign up for newborn/pediatric care before the baby is born receive discounted programs to support them through the pregnancy such as our pre-natal and birthing classes and FREE breastfeeding preparation course.
Families also receive our warm-line and pager contact numbers for them to have and use to help address their questions and concerns during the pregnancy and as they prepare for parenthood.
9. My child is a member of the pediatric care program? What does the membership offer the rest of the family?
Although the membership is in the child’s name we know that caring for the child involves caring for the whole family. Our staff is here to assist parents in any way they can. We advocate for services needed by parents and wherever possible we make connections to address issues beyond our own expertise.
Parents also receive discounts on all our private practitioner services including massage, chiropractic, naturopathic medicine and women’s health.
10. Are the membership fees Tax deductible?
YES! Our fees are allowable by Revenue Canada as a medical tax deduction. Should you have a health spending account; the fees can be fully covered by your benefits package.
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