Virtual Visits Verification Standard

About Verified Virtual Visit Solutions

Verification is a review process to ensure that virtual care solutions meet our Virtual Visits Solution Requirements (the standard).

Solution providers can apply to become verified by submitting a package of information about their solution. Once verified, solutions are published on the Verified Solutions List to help health service providers make informed decisions about the selection and procurement of virtual care solutions that meet their practice needs. Verified solutions must then be validated against a set of mandatory requirements in the standard. Once validated, the information about the solution is updated on the Verified Solutions List.

Ontario Health does not endorse any virtual care solution and advises health care providers and organizations to conduct their own due diligence to determine that any solution procured meets their own needs and requirements.

To better understand the roles and responsibilities of solution providers, health service providers and organizations, please read the Terms and Conditions (PDF) in full.

For Health Service Providers

By verifying that video and secure messaging solutions meet a set of mandatory requirements, we support health care providers in making informed decisions based on a provincial standard for privacy, security, technology and functionality.

Talk to your solution provider

We encourage you to ask your solution providers to become verified if they are not already. You can direct them to this page – ontariohealth.ca/verification – for more details and guidance.

Verification of your own solution

Virtual care visit solutions developed by or in partnership with health service providers can become verified. If you have implemented or are planning to implement a solution that is unique to your environment and is not generally or commercially available in the marketplace, send an email to verification@ontariohealth.ca to request a meeting to discuss eligibility.

For Solution Providers

The verification process

To begin the verification process, request a submission package by sending email to verification@ontariohealth.ca. You will be required to:

Sign an Attestation Letter (included in the submission package) that affirms that your solution meets all mandatory requirements as detailed in the standard.
Submit up-to-date Privacy Impact Assessment and Threat Risk Assessment summaries. SOC 2 Type 2 audits may be submitted in place of a Threat Risk Assessment.
Complete scenario-based validation testing of the solution against mandatory requirements and submit substantiation materials within 12 months of the solution's verification date.

There is no time limit for completing the initial submission package.

Submissions (steps 1 and 2) will be assessed for completeness and compliance on a first-come first-served basis. Compliant solutions will be published on the Verified Solutions List. Once the solution is validated (step 3), the Verified Solutions List will be updated to reflect the validated status.

Learn More About Verification

To learn more about the Virtual Visits Verification Program, explore these resources:

If you are a health service provider or a solution provider, we encourage you to email us at verification@ontariohealth.ca with any questions that are not answered here.

Verified Solutions List

This list helps health service providers select virtual care solutions appropriate for patient to provider clinical services by video and/or secure messaging.

This site is not intended for the use of individuals and patients directly. If you are an individual or patient and have a health emergency, please call 911. For less urgent health needs, please contact your primary care physician directly.

Ontario Health may, at any time without notice or liability, and for any reason whatsoever, terminate, change, suspend or discontinue any aspect of the Virtual Visit Verification Program. In no event shall Ontario Health be liable for any damages or loss howsoever caused arising in any way from the site, the discontinuation of the verification process, any content on the site or by a clinician’s or health care organization’s use of or reliance on a solution listed on the Verified Solutions List. Ontario Health is not responsible or liable for any advice, services or products that health care providers obtain through the use of a solution listed on the Verified Solutions List. Please ensure that you read the Virtual Visits Verification Disclaimer and Terms and Conditions (PDF) in full to better understand the roles and responsibilities of solution providers, health service providers and organizations.