Attaching patients with the PAS

Working together to make attaching patients easier 

For family physicians who have capacity to attach new patients to your panels – today or in the future - the Provincial Attachment System reduces the burden on your practice by making the process easier, faster and more efficient.

Steps to increase your capacity

Step 1: Confirm if you can increase capacity

Confirm in the PAS if you have capacity to expand your practice, how many new patients you anticipate, and the requested level of complexity that will balance out your panel. Information on how to register can be found here.

Step 2: Connect with an Attachment Coordinator

Attachment Coordinators review this information, and go into the Health Connect Registry, which contains names of patients seeking family doctors. They develop a list of those who will be a good ‘match’. This list, which includes profile information on the patient, will be sent to you for review and consideration.  

To connect with the Attachment Coordinator in your area, contact your local Division of Family Practice or email

Step 3: Review list of possible patients

Once you review the list, follow up with patients you believe will balance out your panel. This ‘intake’ period may include a face-to-face interview. Once you have made a final selection, the Attachment Coordinator will let those who weren’t the right fit know, and place them back on the list for the next opportunity.

Step 4: Add new patients to panel list

Input the $0 attachment code (98890) for those patients you are accepting into your practice, and add the patient to your panel list in your EMR and in the PAS.

Supports to help you

In addition to the Attachment Coordinator who will help you to find new patients that balance out your panel, other supports include:

  • Patient profiles: The Health Connect Registry contains brief information/profiles of each patient so that you can make a preliminary determination on whether the patient will fit with your practice needs before interviewing them.

  • Attachment targets: Attachment Coordinators can help new-to-practice physicians set targets to add new patients over a period of time, giving your practice time to absorb them.

Practice Support Program

  • Panel cleanup: The Practice Support Program (PSP) can help identify your active patients to ensure the patient panel in your EMR and the PAS is accurate. This helps you know which patients are attached to you as a provider, and your potential capacity to attach new patients. To get connected to a PSP Coach or Physician Peer Mentor email us at or submit a service request here.

  • Improve workflows and increase capacity: PSP can help you streamline your EMR and clinic workflows, potentially creating capacity for you to grow your patient panel. To connect with a PSP Coach or Physician Peer Mentor email us at or submit a service request here.

  • Enhance team-based care: PSP also offers supports to develop high performing primary care teams and helps physicians to attach new patients through increased efficiency and streamlined processes. To get connected to a PSP Coach or Physician Peer Mentor email us at or submit a service request here.

Technical support

  • If you need technical support to log into PAS and find your list of pending patients to review, you can contact PHSA Monday to Friday 9 am to 7 pm (excluding stat holidays):

  • You can also delegate access to PAS to other clinic staff for help in supporting attachment workflows. More information here or watch the recorded webinar for Medical Office Assistants held on June 5, 2024.