FAQs
What's the difference between a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Nurse Practitioner (NP)? Nurse Practitioners (NPs) perform more advanced duties than a registered nurse and can provide direct patient care without a physician’s oversight. They have earned a registered nursing (RN) license and gone on to complete a graduate program in a Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Practitioner degree. This advanced training allows them to diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe medicines, and order and interpret diagnostic tests. They can also specialize in certain areas of healthcare such as women’s health, pediatrics, or gerontology.
Nurse practitioners are recognized for their patient-centred approach. Their advanced training allows them to diagnose and treat a variety of common illnesses, chronic conditions and injuries, as well as focus on health promotion and preventative care. While they can operate independently, they often collaborate with physicians to address more complex cases or facilitate ongoing care to specialists (e.g. oncologists, surgeons).
Nurse practitioners are playing a critical role in bridging the gap between traditional nursing care and more advanced healthcare services. No matter which clinical services you need, our highly-trained nurse practitioners are here to help.
Will I have to pay for medical tests carried out by Nova Scotia Health Authority, ie blood tests, x-rays, scans etc?
Required medical test fees are covered by MSI providing you are a Nova Scotia resident with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card. If you are a Canadian citizen and travelling from another province, the province of residence would be billed for required tests providing your health card for that province is valid.
Can I call in and have a prescription renewed without seeing the primary care practitioner?
The primary care practitioner cannot renew a prescription issued by another practitioner without seeing you in person and do an initial assessment.
Can the appointment fee be claimed as a medical expense on my personal income tax?
Yes, the appointment fee can be claimed as a medical expense on your personal income tax. There is no HST payable on this fee.
Can the subscription fee be claimed as a medical expense on my personal income tax filing?
No, the subscription fee cannot be claimed as a medical expense on your personal income tax. HST is required to be charged on the subscription fee only, not the appointment fee.
Can I cancel my subscription membership at any time?
Yes, the subscription membership can be canceled at any time. Please note that the number of subscriptions is limited to ensure timely access to a primary care practitioner and so by canceling your membership we will not be able to guarantee a membership again should you decide to join at a later date.
Do I need to be on the doctor list for Nova Scotia to become a member at Bluenose Health?
You do not have to be on the list waiting for a primary care practitioner to become a member at Bluenose Health. We welcome anyone that wishes to join. Due to a limited number of members, we are able to offer timely access to health care.
What happens if I am assigned to a doctor by Nova Scotia Health Authority?
We would recommend you go and meet your new assigned doctor to see if you are comfortable with them. You have the option to go with your new assigned doctor and/or remain with us, it is entirely your choice.
Will your clinic be open after hours?
We are currently open 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. We will be looking at extending after hours based on need as we move forward.
I have family members and friends who often visit me, can my nurse practitioner see them if needed?
Yes, visiting family members and friends are welcome to join as members and access our primary care practitioner(s).
I am an American citizen spending summers in Nova Scotia, how can I access your primary care clinic? Can you authorize and/or renew prescriptions for medication?
You can become a member and access our primary care practitioner. They are able to prescribe medication once they have had an initial assessment. They can be filled at any pharmacy in Nova Scotia.
I am a Nova Scotia business owner and bring international workers into Nova Scotia to work at my business. Would my new Canadian workers be able to become members and receive health care at Bluenose Health?
Yes, we are open to providing health care based on your corporate needs.
What is a nurse practitioner?
Please feel free to watch the video below!
Nurse practitioners are recognized for their patient-centred approach. Their advanced training allows them to diagnose and treat a variety of common illnesses, chronic conditions and injuries, as well as focus on health promotion and preventative care. While they can operate independently, they often collaborate with physicians to address more complex cases or facilitate ongoing care to specialists (e.g. oncologists, surgeons).
Nurse practitioners are playing a critical role in bridging the gap between traditional nursing care and more advanced healthcare services. No matter which clinical services you need, our highly-trained nurse practitioners are here to help.
Will I have to pay for medical tests carried out by Nova Scotia Health Authority, ie blood tests, x-rays, scans etc?
Required medical test fees are covered by MSI providing you are a Nova Scotia resident with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card. If you are a Canadian citizen and travelling from another province, the province of residence would be billed for required tests providing your health card for that province is valid.
Can I call in and have a prescription renewed without seeing the primary care practitioner?
The primary care practitioner cannot renew a prescription issued by another practitioner without seeing you in person and do an initial assessment.
Can the appointment fee be claimed as a medical expense on my personal income tax?
Yes, the appointment fee can be claimed as a medical expense on your personal income tax. There is no HST payable on this fee.
Can the subscription fee be claimed as a medical expense on my personal income tax filing?
No, the subscription fee cannot be claimed as a medical expense on your personal income tax. HST is required to be charged on the subscription fee only, not the appointment fee.
Can I cancel my subscription membership at any time?
Yes, the subscription membership can be canceled at any time. Please note that the number of subscriptions is limited to ensure timely access to a primary care practitioner and so by canceling your membership we will not be able to guarantee a membership again should you decide to join at a later date.
Do I need to be on the doctor list for Nova Scotia to become a member at Bluenose Health?
You do not have to be on the list waiting for a primary care practitioner to become a member at Bluenose Health. We welcome anyone that wishes to join. Due to a limited number of members, we are able to offer timely access to health care.
What happens if I am assigned to a doctor by Nova Scotia Health Authority?
We would recommend you go and meet your new assigned doctor to see if you are comfortable with them. You have the option to go with your new assigned doctor and/or remain with us, it is entirely your choice.
Will your clinic be open after hours?
We are currently open 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. We will be looking at extending after hours based on need as we move forward.
I have family members and friends who often visit me, can my nurse practitioner see them if needed?
Yes, visiting family members and friends are welcome to join as members and access our primary care practitioner(s).
I am an American citizen spending summers in Nova Scotia, how can I access your primary care clinic? Can you authorize and/or renew prescriptions for medication?
You can become a member and access our primary care practitioner. They are able to prescribe medication once they have had an initial assessment. They can be filled at any pharmacy in Nova Scotia.
I am a Nova Scotia business owner and bring international workers into Nova Scotia to work at my business. Would my new Canadian workers be able to become members and receive health care at Bluenose Health?
Yes, we are open to providing health care based on your corporate needs.
What is a nurse practitioner?
Please feel free to watch the video below!
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