Secure Messaging Proof-of-Concept Pilot

Ontario is undertaking a two-year (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2026) patient-to-physician Secure Messaging Proof-of-Concept Pilot to support the delivery of  services to patients by secure messaging, according to the terms of the Ministry of Health and Ontario Medical Association 2021 Physician Services Agreement.

The aim of this pilot is to: 

• meaningfully complement care within existing patient-physician relationships 
• support increased patient access to care 
• gather a wide scale of evidence related to the use of secure messaging within physician practices 

Registration for the Secure Messaging Proof-of-Concept Pilot has now ended. Further details on the Secure Messaging Proof-of-Concept Pilot can be found in the Ministry of Health’s INFOBulletin #240103.

Choosing a Verified Secure Messaging Solution

Ontario Health’s Virtual Visit’s Verification Program supports health service providers to make informed decisions about the virtual care solutions they procure and use by ensuring that verified solutions meet a provincial standard for privacy, security, technology, accessibility and functionality.

All solutions on the Verified Solutions List meet the mandatory requirements in the Ontario Health Virtual Visits Verification Standard. The Verified Solutions List can be searched and filtered (for example, by modality: secure messaging, video). For information on terms and definitions, visit Verified Virtual Visit Solutions - Glossary. Further solution specifications and other details can be found by clicking any solution name of interest to you. The solution specifications provide information on the recommended requirements a solution meets. This can support you to understand if a solution has the features and attributes of importance to you.

Within the Secure Messaging Proof-of-Concept Pilot, services by secure messaging must be delivered using a virtual visit solution that is verified for secure messaging by Ontario Health and listed in the Verified Solutions List to meet one of the key eligibility requirements for reimbursement.

Learn about procurement considerations, differences between text, email, instant message and secure message, and get a sample statement to support you in communicating with the appropriate vendor.

Questions regarding the status of solutions that are not on the Verified Solutions List should be directed to the respective solution provider (vendor).

Secure Messaging Adoption and Implementation

These resources and checklist can help you implement and use your secure messaging solution.

This is not an exhaustive list. Some resources have not been updated post-COVID and not all resources were informed using only an Ontario-specific context. Thus, some elements may differ from the current Ontario context. The Ministry and Ontario Health do not take responsibility for third party content.

Checklist:

• Assess your clinic's readiness and capacity for secure messaging
• Procure and implement a solution (See the Verified Solutions List for Ontario Health verified options)
• Develop a clear policy and procedure for using secure messaging in your clinic
• Train staff in the use of secure messaging
• Share communications with your patients about the use of secure messaging and how it will be used in your clinic

Resources:

Contact

For general inquiries, please contact Ontario Health by email at OVCPregistration@ontariohealth.ca.

For billing-related inquiries, please contact the Ministry of Health’s Service Support Contact Centre by calling 1-800-262-6524 or emailing SSContactCentre.MOH@ontario.ca.