Dr. Margaret Buczek is an IRCC authorized panel physician working in Ottawa, Ontario.
CLINIC: Immigration Medical Ottawa
This clinic provides services paid by Interim Federal Health Program
Spoken Languages: English,Russian,Ukrainian
About Dr. Buczek
As a designated Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Panel Physician and a Fellow of The College of Family Physicians of Canada, the main focus of my practice is performing Immigration Medical Examinations. During the past 25 years I have performed thousands of Immigration Medical Examinations for people from around the world looking to start a new life in Canada.
An immigrant myself, I was born in Poland and immigrated to Canada in my 30’s. While living in Poland, I completed Medical School and a specialty in Ear, Nose, Throat at Jagiellonian University. Arriving in Canada, I completed the Family Medicine Program at the University of Ottawa and opened my own family medicine practice. Soon after, I started to perform Immigration Medical Examinations for IRCC. Additionally, I am also a facilitator for McMaster University’s family physicians educational program (Practice Based Small Group).
It is my passion to help new immigrants and refugees by providing an efficient and stress free process.
Monday to Friday 8am – 3pm
Coming from the West on 417:
· Take exit 126 for Maitland
· Turn right to merge onto Maitland Ave North
· Right turn onto Carling Avenue
· 1st left onto Broadview
Coming from the East on 417:
· Take exit Carling Avenue
· Merge onto Carling Ave West
· Right turn onto Broadview
We are on Bus Route #85
About this clinic
The Clinic was established in 1994 by Dr. Margaret Buczek and later on, two additional physicians: Dr. Aneta Dauksza and Dr. Yu Shan Zhang joined in. Now our team consists of four designated and fully certified by IRCC Panel Physicians and two medical assistants.
We are open 5 days a week and IME can be booked on short notice.
Our Clinic is conveniently located with easy access by car or bus.
All required tests, can usually be done in the same building.
Medical exam can be arranged in English, Mandarin, Polish, Russian and Ukrainian languages.
We will promptly submit your IME file to IRCC electronically, via the official eMedical system.
██ Check if our Clinic is right for you.
We are located in the west end of Ottawa, close to the Maitland North exit on the 417 and on bus route 85 (Carling-Broadview bus stop). Check OC travel planner.
There is on-site paid parking and free street parking nearby.
You can get your IME appointment at short notice.
We can mail you copies of your test results and your medical file submission date.
██ Call to ask questions and to book an appointment
Our staff are available 5 days a week.
We will gladly answer any questions you may have about the process and about pricing.
IRCC requires different examinations and tests depending on age and medical status. Your fee will depend on these factors.
██ Come in for your Immigration Medical Exam
Please bring valid identification document with you (refer to FAQ section).
If you have received any forms or letters from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, please bring them with you as well.
Please bring your eye glasses or contacts, all prescription medications you are currently taking, and any medical reports relevant to your significant medical condition.
We will register you, take your photo and we will conduct your physical examination.
You will complete your chest X-ray, blood and urine tests if applicable. Fasting is not required.
All test results will be sent directly to our clinic.
We accept payments for your IME by debit card (preferable method) or cash. Lab and X-ray fees can be paid by credit or debit card.
Check our FAQ section for further details
██ What’s next?
In most cases this is all you will need to do. After receiving all the test results we will submit your medical file electronically using the eMedical portal.
If any of your test results require follow up, we will contact you directly before submitting your file.
We can mail you copies of your test results and your medical file submission date (for an administrative fee).
You will receive a decision about your application directly from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
If you have any questions about your application process please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website or contact the IRCC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100.
Your application status will only be updated on the IRCC website when IRCC starts processing your medical exam. Dr. Buczek is not informed about the outcome of your application.
Immigration medical examinations (IME) are the main focus of our clinic.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your IME appointment, please give us 24 hours notice. We thank you for your consideration.
Please come 10 min before your appointment to allow sufficient time for our staff to begin your registration process.
After hours please leave a message and we will call you back by the next working day.
● What identity document can I use for my Immigration Medical Examination (IME) appointment?
You can use any one of the following documents (the document must be original and valid):
- Original Passport (preferred document)
- Passport Card
- National Identification Card
- Driver’s Licence
- Refugee Protection Claimant Document
- Original or certified copy of Birth Certificate
- Copy of Passport Certified by a Canadian Visa Office
- Refugee Travel Document
- Red Cross Travel Document
- UN Laissez-passer
● What should I bring to my IME appointment?
- Your valid identification document
- Any forms or letters received from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (if applicable)
- All your prescription medications
- Medical reports relevant to significant medical conditions – see FAQs below
- Eye glasses or contacts
- For individuals under 16 years of age, a Parent or Guardian must be present
- Arrange for a translator to be present if needed – Dr. Buczek speaks English, Polish, and Russian
- If desired, please arrange for a chaperone to be present during your medical exam
- Payment for our services – by debit card (preferable method) or cash
● Do I need to bring photographs?
No, we will take your photo on-site – there is no additional fee for this service.
● What should I expect at my IME appointment?
- You will be asked for your Identity Document, any documents from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as well as your personal contact information.
- You will complete a medical history questionnaire and sign a declaration from IRCC.
- We will take your digital photo and your height, weight, blood pressure, and we will test your vision.
- We will conduct your physical examination.
- An internal exam is not required by IRCC, unless your history warrants it.
- You will pay for your visit, receive your receipt, and proceed to the laboratory to do your blood work, a urine test and Chest X-Ray (if required).
- Your test results will be sent automatically to our clinic.
● What about my IME cost?
- IME cost reflects complexity of an examination depending on the age group (child, adult, senior). Please contact our clinic for more information and pricing.
- The cost of your IME is not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
- You may be able to obtain reimbursement from private insurance or your sponsoring employer – you will be provided with receipts for all payments.
- We can mail copies of your test results and your medical submission date for an administrative fee.
- IME fees are payable by debit card (preferable method) or cash
● What lab tests will I have to complete?
- All tests listed below are mandatory as required by IRCC.
- Fasting is not required.
- All test results will be sent directly to our clinic.
- The cost of these tests is not a benefit covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
- You may be able to obtain reimbursement from private insurance or your sponsoring employer – you will be provided with receipts for all payments.
Age at Exam (years) |
Urine Test |
Blood Test |
Chest X-ray |
0-4 |
no additional tests |
5-10 |
yes |
– |
– |
11-14 |
yes |
– |
yes |
15-64 |
yes |
yes |
yes |
65+ |
yes |
yes |
yes |
We follow IRCC guidelines in requesting additional tests, prior medical reports, or referring you to a Specialist, due to your medical condition. The cost of these additional tests or referrals required to complete your IME is your responsibility and is not included in the IME fee.
Lab fees are payable by credit card, debit card or exact cash. X-ray fees are payable by credit or debit card only.
● Do I have to pay if I am a Canadian Refugee Applicant?
Your IME and tests costs MAY be covered by Blue Cross.
When you call us to book an appointment:
Please have your UCI/Client number available (located on your “Refugee Claimant Document”). We will check your eligibility for Blue Cross and let you know if they are paying for your IME. If they are not paying, you are responsible for payment.
Please note that it can take several days for Blue Cross to enter your information into their computer system, and we are not able to book your appointment until this is done. If you are not in the system, we will be happy to continue checking and we will call you back to book an appointment as soon as possible.
● Where can I park?
There is paid parking available at our building, and free street parking nearby (where permitted).
● What about OC Transpo?
We are on Bus Route #85. The closest stop is at the Carling and Broadview intersection. Check OC travel planner.
● What if I am pregnant?
It is generally not recommended that a Chest X-Ray be done during pregnancy, but ultimately the choice is yours.
If you are pregnant IRCC offers you the choice of:
- Deferring your Chest X-Ray until after the birth of your child
- Deferring your Chest X-Ray until after 12 to 20 weeks of pregnancy
- Proceeding with your Chest X-Ray immediately
Please be aware that your file cannot be submitted to IRCC without your Chest X-Ray results. If you decide to postpone your Chest X-Ray until after the birth of your child, we will provide you with a “Pregnancy Deferral Letter” for your records. This is your proof that your IME has been done, but that you have chosen to postpone your Chest X-Ray.
If you decide to go ahead with your Chest X-Ray, you will be provided with a special protective cover over your abdomen. This reduces the risk of radiation. For further advice, please speak with your own doctor.
● What if I am not sure if I am pregnant?
Please do a pregnancy test before your IME.
If you are still unsure, we can add a pregnancy test to your Lab requisition.
● What is considered a significant medical condition?
If you have a history of any of the following medical conditions, we may require copies of your previous tests or reports to submit with your IME.
- Cancer or malignancy
- Cardiac disease
- Diabetes
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Chronic Pulmonary Disease
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Renal disease
- Hepatitis or Liver disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Any Debilitating Condition (intellectual or physical)
- Hearing Impairment
- Blindness
- Autism
- Developmental delay
- Psychiatric / Psychological disorder (including major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia)
- Drug or Alcohol addiction
- Major operations
- Prolonged or repeated hospital admissions
- Any condition that requires regular medical follow-up and/or lifetime treatment
● Can I get copies of my test results?
Yes, we can mail copies of your test results and your medical submission date for a administrative fee.
● What happens after my IME?
- We will quickly and efficiently submit your IME file electronically to IRCC through the eMedical system as soon as all requirements are completed.
- If any of your tests require follow-up, we will contact you prior to submitting your IME.
- After submitting your IME, please note that the status of your application on the IRCC website will only be updated when IRCC begins processing your IME.
- It is possible that IRCC will request further information, tests, or reports from you after they process your IME. They will contact you directly with a so called “Furtherance” request by email or posted letter.
- You will be notified directly by IRCC concerning the outcome of your application.
- If you have any questions about your application process please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website or contact the IRCC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100.