Back to BlogDigital Health
Canadian Hospital Telehealth 2026 — Virtual Care, OTN & Provincial Platforms Guide
Complete guide to Canadian hospital telehealth — virtual care models, Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN), provincial telehealth platforms, billing codes, rural access, Infoway standards, and telehealth software.
OTN is one of the largest telemedicine networks globally. Telehealth stabilised at 30-40% of consultations post-COVID. Provincial billing codes are permanent. This guide covers Canadian telehealth.
Telehealth Models
| Model | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Patient-to-provider (video) | Patient at home video consultation | Follow-up, mental health, chronic disease |
| Provider-to-provider | Specialist consults with primary care | Rural access, specialist advice |
| Hub-and-spoke | Hub hospital connects to spoke sites | Rural ED support, stroke, ICU |
| Remote monitoring | Patient devices transmit data | Heart failure, diabetes, COPD |
| Store-and-forward | Images/data sent for later review | Dermatology, radiology, ophthalmology |
| Virtual ED | Virtual triage for low-acuity ED | CTAS 4-5 patients |
Provincial Telehealth Platforms
| Province | Platform | Billing Integration |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Ontario Health Virtual Visit (OTN) | OHIP (K080, K081, K083) |
| BC | BC Virtual Visit | MSP Teleplan |
| Alberta | Alberta Virtual Care | AHCIP |
| Quebec | RAMQ virtual care | RAMQ |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Telehealth | Manitoba Health |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Telehealth | Sask Health |
Telehealth Technology Requirements
- Video platform: Secure, HD, PHIPA/PIPEDA-compliant video platform
- Patient app: Mobile app for patients to join consultations
- EHR integration: Document consultations in patient record
- Billing integration: Claim telehealth billing codes
- Remote monitoring: Devices for remote patient monitoring
- Secure messaging: Secure messaging for follow-up
- Interoperability: Infoway interoperability standards
- Provincial EHR: Integration with provincial EHR system
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is OTN and how does it work?
- OTN (Ontario Telemedicine Network) is one of the largest telemedicine networks in the world. OTN: 1) Provides video conferencing platform, 2. Connects patients and providers across Ontario, 3. Supports specialist consultations, mental health, and education, 4. Integrates with OHIP billing. OTN merged with Ontario Health in 2020. Other provinces have similar platforms (e.g., BC Virtual Visit, Alberta Virtual Care).
- What telehealth billing codes are available in Canada?
- Canadian telehealth billing codes: 1) Ontario — K080 (video consult, patient at facility), K081 (video consult, patient at home), K083 (phone), 2. BC — MSP teleplan codes (00333, 00334), 3. Alberta — AHCIP telehealth codes, 4. Quebec — RAMQ telehealth codes. Most provinces made telehealth codes permanent post-COVID. Requirements vary (video vs phone, patient location).
- How does telehealth improve rural healthcare access in Canada?
- Canada has vast rural and remote areas (especially northern Canada). Telehealth improves access: 1) Specialist consultations without travel (saves 2-12 hours travel), 2. Mental health services, 3. Chronic disease management, 4. Emergency consultation, 5. Indigenous health services, 6. Maternity care support. Telehealth reduces travel costs, improves outcomes, and reduces health inequalities for rural Canadians.