14 Virtual Care Services in Canada You Need to Know About
Not feeling well? Have a health concern? Need a prescription filled? These Canadian virtual healthcare services can help you from the convenience of your home.
Canada’s Telehealth Services
Over the past few years, we’ve seen more and more Canadians opting for virtual healthcare services for help with non-emergency concerns. And it’s easy to see why: They grant access through your tech to doctors, mental health professionals and wellness experts who can answer your questions, help you feel better and give you a prescription when needed. The services are available through websites and apps on your phone, making telehealth a super convenient, effective and affordable care option. Plus, they offer a level of privacy some people prefer—in one study, patients said they felt more comfortable talking to a healthcare professional at home than in a doctor’s office.
But, not everyone is a good candidate for telehealth. If you have an emergency, the best way to receive treatment is by visiting the emergency room, says Dr. Howard Ovens, Chief Medical Strategy Officer, Sinai Health System and staff emergency physician at Mount Sinai Hospital. “Some people are really sick, either related to COVID or all the other things we always see in the emergency department (appendicitis, broken bones, heart attacks), and they need attention,” he says. “We want them to feel safe and come in to get assessed.”
For emergencies, whether physical or mental health-related, call 911 immediately. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 for support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also text 45645 from 4 p.m. to midnight ET for immediate care. Residents of Quebec can call 1-866-277-3553 or visit suicide.ca.
Below, a list of telehealth services available in Canada.
Provincial Telehealth Services
There are a variety of free and confidential telehealth services run by public health authorities in each province and territory. Services differ slightly from province to province, but in general, these government-run programs link users with healthcare professionals (such as public health nurses) through the phone. Once on the phone, users can ask for medical advice on a range of non-emergency topics such as whether or not to handle the situation at home or if the issue requires a visit to the doctor’s office. Many of these provincial services also have COVID-19 self-assessments which can help determine next steps if you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. To learn more, visit your province or territory’s government website.
Inkblot Therapy
Inkblot is an online mental health and wellness platform that offers video counselling sessions. Through talk therapy, hundreds of licensed counsellors and life coaches are available to help you navigate through mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief and addiction. Costs $50 per half hour.
(Related: The Pros and Cons of Digital Therapy, According to an Expert)
Focus
Focus is an eCounselling service that allows users to access a therapist via video call, phone call, or text message at any time. It also hosts unlimited Text Therapy for $29-39 per week, so that users can have 24/7 access to their therapist and receive daily feedback and support. Hour-long phone or video call sessions cost $120-150 per hour.
Mindbeacon
This mental health app is available across Canada in both French and English and is suitable for those with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, PTSD, and insomnia. Mindbeacon works by first assessing users through a comprehensive questionnaire and then assigning cognitive behaviour therapy-based programs that match the user’s needs. Mindbeacon also facilitates secure messaging with a registered therapist. The service is free for Ontario residents and is covered by employers across the country. Otherwise, rates start at $525.
Tia Health
Tia Health allows patients to connect with Canadian doctors via phone, video or messaging. You can choose your own doctor, and even one who speaks the language you’re most comfortable with. Aside from prescriptions, referrals, requisitions, and mental health services, it also offers COVID-19 screening. Tia Health is covered in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia (fees start at $30 for other provinces.)
Ontario Telemedicine Network
The Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Ontario. During your eVisit, you can speak to a healthcare provider via video using a computer, smartphone or tablet. OTN has a plethora of other services including retinal screening for diabetics, virtual palliative care program, Indigenous services, and virtual mental health coaching. Visit otn.ca for more info.
Virtual Clinics
Like the name suggests, Virtual Clinics offer virtual appointments in which patients can connect to a doctor via phone, video or messaging. Their services include lab test results on demand as well as prescriptions and renewals delivered to your doorstep. Virtual Clinics is free for British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario residents and starts at $30 for Canadians in other provinces. To book your virtual appointment, visit virtualclinics.ca.
Livecare
Livecare is the only telehealth company owned and operated by physicians. It offer virtual visits with a medical provider with various specialties such as mental health, cardiology, endocrinology, pain management, sleep disorders and many more. Through video, you can discuss prescription refills, lab and test results, follow-up care and general questions. Livecare also has online journals, health trackers and calendars to help you manage your health. Call Livecare at 1-855-599-8817 on weekdays from 9 to 5 p.m. PST.
Maple
With Maple, you can talk to a doctor in less than two minutes using your smartphone, tablet or computer 24/7. Doctors can help with various medical issues such as cough/cold/flu, urinary tract infections, sexual health, mental health, general prescription renewals, and more. Maple also offers online dermatology, pediatrics, oncology, naturopathy and other specialties. Pricing starts at $69 per visit or $30 per month. To get started, visit getmaple.ca or download the Maple app.
Felix
Felix offers a way for Canadians to get lifestyle medications such as ones for birth control, acne and hair loss. First, you complete your online visit ($40 fee) by answering questions about your medical history. Then, based on your consultation, you can get a prescription within 24 hours. The medication is shipped to your door at no extra cost.
(Related: It’s Time to Revisit Your Birth Control Options—in the Name of Self-Love)
Tulip Health
Tulip Health is an Ontario-based phone service that links users with Ontario MDs. Doctors on Tulip provide a range of services including cold and flu assessments, prescription renewals, referrals to specialists, and COVID-19 assessments. The services on Tulip are free for Ontario residents with a valid OHIP card.
TELUS Health MyCare
TELUS Health MyCare is a mobile app for Canadians living in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. It gives users access to virtual consultations with physicians for prescriptions (which can be sent to your pharmacy of choice), assessments, and referrals for diagnostic tests at an in-person lab or clinic. It also has a built-in symptom checker that asks users questions and provides relevant health and triage information, a health check that allows users to get a broader sense of their current health, and a monitor to track health indicators like mood and energy levels. Patients covered under provincial healthcare plans can access the services on the app for free and each consultation is $65 without insurance.
Cover Health
Powered by Telehealth Ontario, Cover Health gives users access to a same-day appointment with an Ontario doctor. Doctors on Cover are able to provide the same services as any in-person walk-in clinic like cold and flu symptoms, sick notes, medication renewals, reproductive health, prescriptions, and more. All appointments are covered for Ontario residents, even without OHIP.
GOeVisit
GOeVisit is a free app that allows users to describe their symptoms and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a Canadian medical practitioner. The app works best for minor illnesses like coughs, cold and flu symptoms, and minor injuries. Prices start at $10 per month for individuals and $15 per month for families.
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