Overview

On September 25, 2023, the Independent Health Facilities Program became officially known as the Integrated Community Health Services Centres (ICHSC) Program. The ICHSC Program oversees the licensing of community surgical and diagnostic centres, formerly known as Independent Health Facilities. The Integrated Community Health Services Centres Act, 2023 (ICHSCA) and its regulations provides the licensing and quality assurance framework for the sector.

The centres are licensed under the ICHSCA to perform OHIP insured, low-acuity surgeries and diagnostic procedures in the community including:

  • cataract and other eye surgeries
  • plastic surgeries (OHIP insured)
  • minimally invasive gynecological surgery
  • abortion
  • birth centres
  • dialysis
  • routine diagnostic imaging
  • MRI/CT and PET scans
  • nuclear medicine
  • pulmonary function studies
  • sleep studies

Contact

You can contact the Integrated Community Health Services Centres Program by:

  • mail:
    Ministry of Health
    Health Insurance Branch
    Integrated Community Health Services Centres Program
    49 Place d’Armes, 5th Floor
    Kingston ON K7L 5J3
  • phone: 613-548-6637
  • fax: 613-548-6734
  • email: ICHSC@ontario.ca

INFOBulletins

For the latest information on what's new, please visit our INFOBulletins webpages.

Becoming a community surgical and diagnostic centre

New centres are created through a Calls for Applications process, under the provisions of the Integrated Community Health Services Centres Act, 2023 (ICHSCA). Future Calls for Applications will be publicly communicated on this webpage.

Webinars about calls for applications

A series of webinars will be held to provide information on the launch of 3 calls for applications for new Integrated Community Health Service Centre (ICHSC) licences.

The first webinar will occur:

  • Date: April 24, 2024
  • Time: 4:00 p.m.
  • Duration: 60 minutes

The webinar will provide:

  • a general overview of timelines
  • the application process
  • key eligibility requirements for the MRI & CT call for applications
  • a forum for participants to provide comments and feedback

RSVP

RSVP by April 23, 2024 to confirm attendance.

An invitation confirmation email will be issued to confirmed attendees prior to the event with the webinar meeting link.

Future webinars

Additional upcoming webinars will be held to provide further information on the other calls for applications.

Once a call for applications is issued, all details, including eligibility requirements, will be listed on this webpage. Details may change based on the type of services listed in the call.

Read through some of the requirements in the Integrated Community Health Services Centres Act, 2023, Section 5 if you’re interested in participating in future call for applications.