Direct-to-Patient Video Visits (through OTNinvite)
Below you will find resources to help you get started using Direct-to-Patient Video Visits—from benefits to billing to implementation and best practices.
Topic outline
- Direct-to-Patient Video Visits (through OTNinvite)
- What are Direct-to-Patient Video Visits?
What are Direct-to-Patient Video Visits?
Direct-to-Patient Video Visits enable health care providers and patients to connect via secure video, easily and simply, making care more accessible than ever.
As a health care provider, you can schedule and initiate these video visits with your patients anywhere in Ontario using an internet-enabled computer, tablet or smartphone, from the location of your—and your patient’s—choice.
Ontario physicians can now bill OHIP for video visits through OTN, both Direct-to-Patient Video Visits and Hosted (In a Health Care Facility) Video Visits.
- What are the benefits of Direct-to-Patient Video Visits?
What are the benefits of Direct-to-Patient Video Visits?
Connecting securely through Direct-to-Patient Video Visits can improve patient access and convenience, as well as practice efficiencies, with minimal impact on workflow. Among the many benefits:
- Reduced travel time
- Less discomfort for patients who suffer from debilitating illness
- Stops the spread of viruses and illness because of lack of direct contact
- Easy to use technology
- Reduced missed appointments
Learn about Marc's story and how video visits helped him live more independently
- Step 1: Getting Started with Direct-to-Patient Video Visits
Step 1: Getting Started with Direct-to-Patient Video Visits
- To do video visits, you will need a camera -- internal to your device or external -- a speaker and a good microphone, plus a reliable internet connection. The following resource will help you determine if the device you use to conduct video visits meets minimum system requirements.
Scheduling and Joining Options
This document outlines the options for joining and scheduling using a personal computer, smart phone, or tablet and connecting with the assistance of a delegate.
Detailed Scheduling and Joining Instructions
You can add several participants to your video event. You can also assign a delegate to schedule events on your behalf. Here are some scheduling instructions and considerations:
Resources for Patients
- Step 2: Preparing your practice and patients for Direct-to-Patient Video Visits
Step 2: Preparing your practice and patients for Direct-to-Patient Video Visits
- Once you have been provisioned, you will need to consider how and when to use Direct-to-Patient Video Visits, and how to identify appropriate patients and how to engage them. Please review the following:
- Step 3: Integrating Direct-to-Patient Video Visits into your workflow
Step 3: Integrating Direct-to-Patient Video Visits into your workflow
- Video visits are a suitable option when an in-person physical exam is not needed. They are often used for follow-up visits or to connect with patients to review test results or their response to treatment. Video visits have been used extensively for mental health care delivery, cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling sessions. In primary care, they can be used to manage common health problems not requiring an in-person examination. Video visits are especially appropriate for patients who would have difficulty getting to the office, such as those with mobility issues or those who are far from urban centres.
Business Cases
Here are some examples of how video visits have been incorporated into specific therapeutic areas of care:
Mental HealthSurgery
- Billing Guidelines
Billing Guidelines
Specifics on billing for virtual care services and premiums via the OHIP claims processing system.