Regulation - LGIC
Proposed New Regulation under the Connecting Care Act, 2019
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Connecting Care Act, 2019
Summary of Proposal:
In 2019, the Ontario government introduced Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) - groups of providers working as a team to deliver a full and co-ordinated continuum of care.
There are 58 "approved" OHTs that have been granted written approval by the Minister of Health (Minister) to use the term "OHT" in accordance with the Connecting Care Act, 2019 (CCA) while they undertake activities towards potential designation.
A designated OHT is a group of providers that have been designated as an OHT by the Minister in accordance with eligibility requirements set out in section 29 of the CCA as well as any additional requirements that may be prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council through regulation. Furthermore, the Minister may impose additional terms and conditions that an OHT must meet to obtain and maintain a designation.
An OHT that is designated is eligible to receive health and non-health service funding to provide integrated services and enter into an accountability agreement with Ontario Health.
Significant progress has been made by approved OHTs to date, and designation would be used to ensure that OHTs have the needed structures and capacity in place to receive funding for integrated and co-ordinated services they deliver together.
As a result, a new regulation under the CCA is being proposed that would outline requirements that OHTs would be required to meet to be eligible for potential designation. The Minister holds the discretionary authority to issue an OHT designation.
Proposed requirements for inclusion in the prospective regulation include:
• Creating a not-for-profit co-ordinating corporation with specified characteristics
• Involving patients, families and caregivers
• Establishing a primary care network
• Demonstrating home care delivery readiness
A more detailed description of the proposal is included in the link titled, "Consultation Paper" under "Further Information."
Furthermore, to support the exercise of the Minister's discretionary authority to designate OHTs under the CCA, OHTs would have to undergo an assessment process to illustrate their ability to meet these requirements and to demonstrate their ability to provide services to patients in an integrated and co-ordinated manner.
There are 58 "approved" OHTs that have been granted written approval by the Minister of Health (Minister) to use the term "OHT" in accordance with the Connecting Care Act, 2019 (CCA) while they undertake activities towards potential designation.
A designated OHT is a group of providers that have been designated as an OHT by the Minister in accordance with eligibility requirements set out in section 29 of the CCA as well as any additional requirements that may be prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council through regulation. Furthermore, the Minister may impose additional terms and conditions that an OHT must meet to obtain and maintain a designation.
An OHT that is designated is eligible to receive health and non-health service funding to provide integrated services and enter into an accountability agreement with Ontario Health.
Significant progress has been made by approved OHTs to date, and designation would be used to ensure that OHTs have the needed structures and capacity in place to receive funding for integrated and co-ordinated services they deliver together.
As a result, a new regulation under the CCA is being proposed that would outline requirements that OHTs would be required to meet to be eligible for potential designation. The Minister holds the discretionary authority to issue an OHT designation.
Proposed requirements for inclusion in the prospective regulation include:
• Creating a not-for-profit co-ordinating corporation with specified characteristics
• Involving patients, families and caregivers
• Establishing a primary care network
• Demonstrating home care delivery readiness
A more detailed description of the proposal is included in the link titled, "Consultation Paper" under "Further Information."
Furthermore, to support the exercise of the Minister's discretionary authority to designate OHTs under the CCA, OHTs would have to undergo an assessment process to illustrate their ability to meet these requirements and to demonstrate their ability to provide services to patients in an integrated and co-ordinated manner.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The proposed new regulation would impact approved OHTs that are seeking designation by the Minister, as well as the health service providers and organizations within those approved OHTs.
The Minister has recently publicly communicated that an initial group of 12 approved OHTs will receive dedicated support to advance more rapidly toward maturity and will be considered first for potential designation under the CCA.
The ministry is seeking feedback from impacted stakeholders on expected costs to meet the proposed designation requirements.
Questions for stakeholders:
Are there any additional requirements, beyond those being proposed, that you would suggest being included in the proposed requirements for designation?
What impacts do you anticipate from these proposed requirements?
Please quantify costs or impacts, where possible. Potential costs or impacts may include, but are not limited to, fees, upfront operating costs, ongoing operating costs, and administrative costs.
The Minister has recently publicly communicated that an initial group of 12 approved OHTs will receive dedicated support to advance more rapidly toward maturity and will be considered first for potential designation under the CCA.
The ministry is seeking feedback from impacted stakeholders on expected costs to meet the proposed designation requirements.
Questions for stakeholders:
Are there any additional requirements, beyond those being proposed, that you would suggest being included in the proposed requirements for designation?
What impacts do you anticipate from these proposed requirements?
Please quantify costs or impacts, where possible. Potential costs or impacts may include, but are not limited to, fees, upfront operating costs, ongoing operating costs, and administrative costs.
Further Information:
Consultation Paper
(Download Adobe Reader)
Consultation Draft Regulation
(Download Adobe Reader)
Connecting Care Act, 2019
Ontario Health Teams Webpage
Proposal Number:
24-HLTC007
Posting Date:
February 23, 2024
Comments Due Date:
April 8, 2024
Contact Address:
Ministry of Health
Ontario Health Teams Policy and Operations Branch, Strategic Partnerships Division
438 University Avenue
Toronto ON, M7A 2A5
Ontario Health Teams Policy and Operations Branch, Strategic Partnerships Division
438 University Avenue
Toronto ON, M7A 2A5