Transferring your opioid treatment to a new Toronto clinic

What transferring your care actually means

Transferring your care means a new clinic and prescriber take over your ongoing opioid agonist treatment (OAT), instead of you continuing with your current provider. This might happen because you've moved, your old clinic closed, you're unhappy with your current care, or you simply want a different fit. It does not mean starting treatment over from the beginning.

Your new physician will review your treatment history, current dose, and any take-home doses (carries) you have, then decide how to continue your care safely. This is a clinical decision made at your visit, based on your records and how you're doing, not something we can promise in advance over the phone or online.

Who this is for

This page is for people already on OAT who want to keep their treatment going but switch to a new clinic. If you are stable on your current dose and simply need a new prescriber, booking an assessment with us in advance is a straightforward way to do that.

If you are not on OAT now and are looking to start treatment for the first time, the process is a bit different, and it's worth telling us that when you call so we can prepare the right visit. Our opioid agonist therapy page explains how treatment starts. Either way, you'll speak with our team by phone before anything is booked, so we can understand your situation.

What happens, step by step

You start by calling us at 647-748-1337 (answered 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week) or emailing info@addictionclinictoronto.ca. Tell us you're transferring your OAT, roughly how long you've been in treatment, and your current medication and dose if you know them. We'll ask a few questions and book you an in-person assessment appointment at our clinic at 55 Dundas St E, Toronto.

At your visit, the physician will go through your history, current dose, urine drug screening results if available, and any concerns you have. They'll confirm with you directly what your ongoing dosing and carry schedule will look like from that point forward. Nothing about your dose changes automatically just because you've switched clinics; it's reassessed based on your individual situation.

After the assessment, your physician sends your prescription electronically to the pharmacy you choose. You can stay with your current pharmacy or choose a different one. Follow-up appointments are then booked as needed, based on how your treatment is going.

Records transfer and what to bring

Bringing your treatment history with you makes the transfer faster and safer. If possible, ask your current clinic for a summary of your treatment, including your dose history, start date, and any recent urine drug screening results, before your visit with us. You can bring a printed copy, a fax, or an email confirmation.

If you can't get records ahead of time, don't let that stop you from calling. We can still book your assessment and request records be sent over with your consent, though this may take a little longer to sort out fully. Bring valid photo ID and your OHIP card to your appointment, along with a list of any other medications you're currently taking.

It also helps to know the name and contact information for your current or most recent prescribing clinic, even if you're not on the easiest terms with them. This lets us follow up on records directly rather than relying only on what you remember, which reduces the chance of any gaps in your care.

• A treatment summary from your current clinic, if you can get one
• Valid photo ID and your OHIP card
• A list of any other medications you take
• The name and contact details of your current prescribing clinic and your pharmacy

Continuity of dose and carries

A common worry when switching clinics is losing your current dose or your carries (take-home doses). The physician's goal at your assessment is to review your history and continue your care appropriately, taking into account your stability and how long you've held your current dose and carry pattern.

Carries are not automatic and are reassessed by the prescriber based on clinical guidelines, your urine drug screening results, attendance, and overall stability, whether you're a new patient or transferring in. If you've had carries at your previous clinic, bring documentation of this so the physician has the full picture when making their assessment.

Cost and what to expect

Physician visits, including your transfer assessment and follow-up appointments, are covered by OHIP, so you'll need to bring a valid OHIP card. There is no extra fee to see the doctor for these visits. Medication is billed separately by your pharmacy, and what you pay depends on your drug coverage; our guide to what OHIP covers explains the options.

If you don't have an OHIP card yet, or yours has expired, call us before your appointment so we can talk through your options. Getting this sorted in advance helps avoid delays on the day of your visit and lets the physician focus on your care.