Online Appointment Booking Funding

Who can apply for funding

Organizations that are members of an approved OHT
Organizations that are members of In Development Teams
All other health care providers and organizations who are not yet part of an approved OHT due to their location may submit a proposal that aligns with the program requirements outlined in the 2022-23 Funding Criteria document
Indigenous community organizations, including those serving First Nations, Inuit, Metis and Urban Indigenous persons

Funding objectives

Online appointment booking (OAB) solutions improve patient access and convenience by enabling patients and caregivers to access 24/7 booking options. OAB solutions provide appointment confirmations and reminders, which can reduce missed appointments. Integrated solutions can also improve administrative capacity and increase office efficiency.

The objectives of this funding are to:

Improve the patient experience by enabling more Ontarians to book an online medical appointment with their primary care provider and other members of their health care team.
Support innovative uses of centralized online appointment booking within an integrated care environment that supports timely access to care.
Demonstrate how online appointment booking solutions can improve provider and office efficiency.
Strengthen existing primary care networks within OHTs

Project requirements

All successful proposals must :

Be led by one or more OHTs, In Development Teams or other health care provider organizations who would agree to signing a funding agreement with OH that would include performance targets and monthly reporting requirements
Be submitted and endorsed by the OH Regional Digital Lead.
Provide information about all organizations and clinics that will receive funding and include confirmation that they have agreed to participate.
Be aligned/demonstrate alignment with the OAB service standard and at minimum meet the mandatory requirements in standard.
Provide an estimated number of new physicians and other health care providers who will adopt online appointment booking by March 31, 2023 (not including existing users). Note: proposals should have a minimum number of 20 participating providers.
Provide a target number of new patients who will have access to online appointment booking by March 31, 2023 (not including existing users).
Describe how OAB funding will be used to improve the patient experience and timely access to care within an integrated care environment.
Outline a plan to deploy OAB and illustrate how utilization targets will be achieved successfully.
Confirm that participating providers have necessary infrastructure in place, including clinic websites and patient emails address.
Outline a detailed marketing and communication strategy to promote OAB to patients and clients.

Proposal guidelines

Submissions from approved OHTs, In Development teams, and multi-OHT submissions should demonstrate that their proposals align with the OHT model. Examples of how applicants can demonstrate alignment with the OHT model include the following:

The proposal was developed by the OHT according to processes outlined in their Collective Decision-Making Arrangement(s) and submitted with the OHT as signatory (e.g., leadership council).
The proposal aligns with OHT priorities and OHT-specific performance indicators.
The proposed program involves an active collaboration between OHT members.
Funds will be flowed to and managed by a fundholder nominated by the OHT on behalf of all beneficiary OHT members.
The proposal aligns with ministry direction to In Development teams, if applicable, (e.g., to join with other teams).

Supporting resources

Please review the following documents before completing and submitting a funding proposal:

If you have any questions or need more information about this funding program stream or the application process, please contact virtualcareproposals@ontariohealth.ca.