Frequently Asked

Who can refer a client?

Referrals are typically made by legal counsel. Other referrals may be considered depending upon the circumstances. A physician referral is not required.

Who is the program intended for?

How quickly can a referral be seen?

Are services covered by OHIP?

Is this the same as an independent forensic psychiatric assessment or expert report?

Referrals are reviewed promptly. Most patients accepted into the program will be assessed via secure video platform within one week.

No. The program provides clinical care, including assessment, treatment, and ongoing monitoring. The forensic psychiatrist at CPM will assume a treating-physician role and accordingly, cannot provide an impartial or "independent" psychiatric assessment (IPA) report for the court. An IPA may be suggested and/or could be pursued separately, if desired.

The program is designed for individuals requiring careful psychiatric assessment, treatment, and ongoing monitoring in the context of legal or high-stakes clinical matters.

Patients must have a valid Ontario healthcard. Medically necessary psychiatric services are billed to OHIP in accordance with applicable regulations.

What happens a referral is submitted?

Each referral is reviewing prior to acceptance. The referrer will be contacted within 24 hours, to confirm enrolment and next steps. Acceptance into the program is not guaranteed and no physician-patient relationship is established until an initial interview is completed.

Are reports provided to the referring party?

Yes, provided patient consent remains intant. Written updates will be provided at monthly intervals, summarizing clinical status and treatment engagement.

Are reports protected by solicitor-client privilege?

Most often, clinical records are subject to production with patient consent or court order.

What happens if a patient stops participating, or elects not to continue with the program after three months?

Ongoing service requires active engagement and payment. Otherwise, monitoring and reporting will be discontinued. Reasonable efforts will be made to facilitate transition to the patient to another care provider where feasible.

Why is this a paid service if psychiatric care is available through OHIP?

OHIP continues to cover insured clinical care. This program provides structured psychiatric monitoring, coordination, and reporting that fall outside of insured services, including the preparation of formal updates for referring parties. Fees support dedicated clinical time for these non-insured components.