Provincial Patient Registry – Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to know to register for a primary care provider on PEI?  

• There are three criteria which determine if you are eligible for registration to the Provincial Patient Registry; you must have a valid Provincial Health Number, you must be a resident of PEI, and you must not have an existing primary care provider.  
• It is preferred that you provide an email address as a primary means of communication since we provide updates, relevant information, and semi-annual verification emails to all patients within the Provincial Patient Registry via email. 

I have just turned 18 but I am currently listed as a dependent to my parents. Do I need to reapply as an adult or change my application?  

• Within the Patient Registry, there is an option to link family members who are living in the same household, regardless of age and relationship. As an adult, if you are still residing within the family home, you do not need to update your information with the Patient Registry.  
• If you have moved to a different address, you should contact the patient registry to update your information to your new address by email to affiliation@ihis.org or by phone at 1-855-563-2101 (toll-free). 
• Please note, if you are attending post-secondary school outside of PEI, you are still eligible for Provincial health care and are eligible for a primary care provider on PEI. If this is the case, you do not need to update anything beyond ensuring your contact information is up to date through the semi-annual engagement form which is distributed to you via email. 

What happens after I have registered to the Provincial Patient Registry? 

• If you have provided your email, we will contact you twice a year to confirm you are still looking for a primary care provider, and if so, we will confirm your contact information. We will also send periodic updates about resources available to you while you wait to be affiliated to a primary care provider. 

What if I do not like using email, or do not have regular access to a computer?

• You are still able to apply via phone at 1-855-563-2101 (toll-free) or in person at any Access PEI location.  
• Unfortunately, to update your information, you would still have to call or go to Access PEI to ensure it is up to date. 

 Do I need to reapply for the new registry? 

• No, you do not need to reapply to the registry. Your registration information has been transferred to the new registry, and soon you will start to receive updates if you have provided us with an email address.  
• You are also able to call 1-855-563-2101 (toll-free) to confirm your registration and update your contact information if it has changed.  
• If you have reapplied, or if you cannot remember if you are registered, you can call the toll-free number, and we can confirm your status. For multiple applications for the same person, any duplicate entries are identified and flagged, and you will be contacted to confirm your details, if applicable.  

I need care while I am on the registry, where can I go? 

• You are eligible for Maple virtual care while you are on the registry. Also, you can access a list of available resources by visiting Find Health Care. 

How long do I have to wait for a Primary Care Provider? 

• Patients and primary care providers are matched based on chronological order (your application date), provider availability and region (Map of Patient Registry Regions) so wait times will vary for each region.  
• Moving forward, we will be updating registrants twice annually, verifying their personal information, sharing relevant Health PEI info, as well as including regional context as it relates to new Patient Medical Homes, new providers, and a summary of how many within the region were affiliated so far that year. 

What if I move within the province?

• If you move, please email, or call us to update your information: affiliation@ihis.org or 1-855-563-2101 (toll-free). 
• If your preferred community for a primary care provider has changed, or any other components of your contact information has changed, we encourage you to contact the registry via email at affiliation@ihis.org or 1-855-563-2101 (toll-free) with your latest information and your registration will be updated.  

My friend has been on the registry for a shorter time than me and got a doctor, why?

This could happen for several reasons, including:  

• They have become a parent of a recently born, adopted, or affiliated child 
• A family member has moved into a household (aging parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt) 
• Family members of someone in the household who has been affiliated from the registry (complete household) 
• Someone a primary care provider has encountered in the system who, at their discretion, feel a need of frequent and ongoing care – whether to prevent them from having to return to hospital or from acute situations 
• A retiring primary care provider has flagged specific patients as needing continuity of care, so an incoming provider agrees to affiliate them to their practice. 

I have been affiliated to a provider in a Patient Medical Home. What is a Patient Medical Home?

• You may be affiliated to a solo provider/practice or with a physician or nurse practitioner who is part of a Patient Medical Home. Patient Medical Homes offers a team-based approach to primary care. Patient Medical Homes will include teams of physicians, nurse practitioners, dieticians, social workers, and other health care professionals, who will work together with patients to address health care needs.  
• Learn more about Patient Medical Homes on PEI. 

What is the difference between a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician?

• Both play vital roles in providing primary care, yet their training, scope of practice, and the nature of their services differ. A Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse with specialized training and education beyond that of an RN. They collaborate with physicians but often operate more independently. They can provide a broad range of health care services including:  
  • Diagnosing and treating illnesses  
  • Prescribing medications  
  • Routine examinations and screenings  

With family physicians, their training is more extensive and therefore allows them to address a wide range of health concerns. There is some overlap with nurse practitioners, but a family physician often handles the more complex medical cases. In the Patient Medical Home Model, Physicians and NPs work together to provide comprehensive care.

My household has recently grown, and I’m wondering if we can all have the same primary care provider. For example, I’ve just gotten married, adopted a child, or my parents have moved in with me 

• Yes, people living in the same household can be grouped with the same nurse practitioner or physician. The only means to achieve this is for the individual(s) to discuss this with their primary care provider at their next appointment. However, it must be understood that it is solely at the discretion of the provider whether they can add another person to their practice at this time. All members of the household without a primary care provider should register with the Patient Registry.
• If the individual is new to the province, and the provider is unable to take them on as a patient at that time, they should register to the Patient Registry once they have obtained their Provincial Health Number. If they are already on the Patient Registry and the provider has agreed to take them on as a new patient, please inform the Patient Registry so that we can update your status and note your affiliation.