Frequently Asked Questions

Care that knows your story. Northstar primary care and Northstar family primary care give you a dedicated nurse practitioner, a Welcome Visit to start your care, visits as often as you need, and continuity through an Annual Visit. A One Time Visit is still available when you only need care today.

On Northstar primary care or Northstar family primary care, you see a dedicated Ontario nurse practitioner — starting with a Welcome Visit, then as often as you need, including your Annual Visit. A One Time Visit still connects you with a licensed Ontario nurse practitioner for that day's concern. They can assess symptoms, diagnose many common conditions, prescribe when appropriate, and coordinate follow-up care.

Northstar Medical provides virtual primary care to patients in Ontario. You must be physically located in Ontario at the time of your visit so your provider can follow provincial practice standards.

No referral is required. Create your account and choose Northstar primary care, Northstar family primary care, or a One Time Visit — whether or not you already have a regular physician.

Isn’t it time your health care got to know you? You can start Northstar primary care or Northstar family primary care, or book a One Time Visit when you only need care today.

Northstar primary care covers prevention and screening, chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, mental health check-ins, and the non-emergency issues that come up over the years — essentially anything you would see a family physician for. A One Time Visit is for urgent, walk-in-style concerns when you only need care today.

Create your free account — no referral needed. Choose Northstar primary care for yourself or Northstar family primary care for your household, then start with a Welcome Visit so your dedicated provider can get to know you. After that, book with the same provider as often as you need, including your Annual Visit. If you only need care today, you can book a One Time Visit instead.

Your health shouldn’t wait its turn. Appointment times depend on availability. With Northstar primary care or Northstar family primary care, you see your dedicated provider as often as you need. A One Time Visit is available when you only need care today.

You can join from any smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone. No special software is required — just a stable internet connection.

You receive a visit summary plus any prescriptions, sick notes, or lab requisitions in your account. On Northstar primary care or Northstar family primary care, your dedicated provider already has your history for the next visit — including your Annual Visit. A One Time Visit still leaves you with full visit documentation in the portal.

If virtual care is not the right fit, your provider will say so and help with a referral or next steps. On an ongoing plan, that advice stays with the dedicated provider who already knows you.

Northstar Medical is not for emergencies. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.

Virtual care is best for non-emergency concerns you would typically bring to a walk-in clinic or a regular physician. We cannot treat medical emergencies, conditions that require a hands-on physical examination, or situations where in-person assessment is clearly safer. Your provider will advise you if an in-person visit is the better option.

Yes. Our healthcare providers can prescribe most medications when appropriate and send them electronically to your pharmacy.

No. Our providers cannot prescribe narcotics, controlled substances, or other medications that require in-person assessment under Ontario regulations. If you need this type of care, we can help you understand appropriate next steps.

Yes. When clinically appropriate, your nurse practitioner can coordinate specialist referrals and help you understand the next steps in your care.

After a virtual consultation, our healthcare providers can issue a sick note digitally if medically appropriate — immediately after your visit.

Yes. During your virtual visit, our licensed healthcare providers can issue lab requisitions when medically appropriate based on your symptoms and health needs. After the consultation, you'll receive the requisition and can book your bloodwork or other tests at a local laboratory.

Yes. We provide support for common mental health concerns such as anxiety, stress, depression, and insomnia. For complex or urgent cases, we may refer you to specialized care.

Yes. Northstar family primary care ($79.95/month) covers two adults and up to four children under 18 on one household arrangement — a dedicated provider, a Welcome Visit for each person, personal medical records available 24/7, and continuity through an Annual Visit. You can also book a One Time Visit for any household member without an ongoing plan.

No. Northstar primary care is optional. You can always book a One Time Visit for $39.95 whenever you need care. Northstar primary care ($59.95/month) is the ongoing relationship: a dedicated provider, a Welcome Visit, care as often as you need, and continuity through an Annual Visit. Northstar family primary care ($79.95/month) is the same relationship for a household: two adults and up to four children under 18, one dedicated provider, and personal medical records available 24/7 for the entire household.

Yes. You can cancel Northstar primary care or Northstar family primary care from Manage billing.

At this time, virtual visits with Northstar Medical are not covered by OHIP. However, lab tests and imaging ordered during your visit are typically covered by OHIP when medically necessary and performed at an OHIP-billing facility — you would present your Ontario health card as usual. Many patients are also able to get reimbursement for the visit itself through personal extended health insurance or employer-sponsored benefits plans. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to see if virtual care services are covered under your plan.

Northstar primary care and Northstar family primary care include care as often as you need. A One Time Visit is charged individually at $39.95 per appointment.

Yes. Visit receipts and invoices are available in your secure patient portal under Billing & Invoices. Many extended health and employer benefit plans reimburse virtual care — check with your insurer about eligibility and required documentation.

Northstar primary care and Northstar family primary care are billed monthly through Stripe checkout. A One Time Visit is charged when you book. We accept major credit cards.

Yes. All consultations and records are protected with secure, encrypted technology that meets Canadian privacy standards (PHIPA compliant).

Yes. Your visit summaries, prescriptions, sick notes, lab requisitions, and billing records are stored in your secure patient portal. You can review them anytime and share information with other healthcare providers when needed.