FAQ

Foria’s roots are in Connect-Clinic, an Ontario-based clinic that pioneered virtual gender-affirming care. In December 2022, Connect had to stop services following the Government of Ontario’s changes to virtual care billing codes, making its operations unsustainable. These changes left 1,500 patients without access to critical life-affirming care and nearly 2,000 prospective patients on its waitlist. PurposeMed has worked with Connect’s Medical Director, Dr. Kate Greenaway, to build a new home for the clinic and its patients. That home is Foria.

Virtual gender-affirming care provides you with the safety of meeting an experienced nurse practitioner from your location. For some people, in-person care might be a better choice, and if so, your nurse practitioner will discuss this with you.

Foria is currently available in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Alberta. Patients must be physically in Ontario or Alberta at the time of their virtual consult. (Updated June 2024)

Foria has launched in Ontario and Alberta, with plans to expand thoughtfully to other provinces.

Foria provides gender-affirming hormone therapy, surgical referrals, letters for gender marker change, mental health medication appointments and trans-affirming psychotherapy. Foria is for any trans, non-binary or gender-diverse people who think they would benefit from our care.

Foria’s services are available without a referral. Simply click the “Book consult” button to get started, or visit our “Services” tab to learn more about what we offer.

You'll need the following to access your video appointment:

• A supported computer or mobile device with a web browser, camera, good quality speakers, and microphone

• An internet (wi-fi) or a phone data plan (for connections via mobile device)

• A strong internet connection

• An email account. You will receive an email 5 minutes before the appointment, with a link and code to join the visit.

The frequency of your appointments will depend on the type of service you’re receiving. For more information on the frequency of appointments, check out our “Services” tab.

There is no waitlist to join Foria - if you meet our eligibility criteria below, you are welcome to book an appointment.

In Alberta, Surgical Assessment appointments are available up to three months in advance.

New openings for intake appointments (Initial Consult and Transfer of Care) are added monthly, and are available on a first come, first served basis. Once each month is fully booked, appointment slots will no longer be visible. To find out about our next appointment release, visit our booking page.

Hormone Initiation appointments and all subsequent appointments can be booked within three weeks.

We are currently offering services to residents of Alberta who are 16 years and older.

There may be some reasons such as other health conditions that would make it safer for you to receive ongoing care from an in-person or specialist service. Your clinician will discuss this with you at your first appointment.

We are currently offering services to individuals 16 years and older, and we are working to expand age eligibility in the future.

If you live in Alberta, you will need a valid Alberta health card to use Foria. This is because your appointments are with a physician and they are covered by the provincial health system.

In Alberta, we are unfortunately only able to serve patients with health cards. This is because Foria appointments in Alberta are with a physician, which are covered by the provincial health system.

No, you do not need a referral to access Foria.

No, you do not need a family doctor to access Foria’s services.

Foria Clinic is committed to protecting your confidentiality and privacy. The clinic adheres to strict privacy policies and complies with all relevant Canadian healthcare regulations, including the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). For any digital communications regarding health information, Foria uses secure and encrypted platforms to ensure that your information is safeguarded.

Foria Clinic stores your medical information using a secure electronic medical record (EMR) system. This system is designed to safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of your information. The clinic adheres to Canadian healthcare data storage regulations and employs security measures such as encryption and access controls to protect your records.

Your other healthcare providers will only know that you accessed Foria’s services if you choose to share this information with them or if you provide Foria with consent to communicate with them. It’s often beneficial for your healthcare providers to have a complete picture of the care you’re receiving, but Foria respects your privacy and will not share your information without your explicit authorization, except in cases where it is legally required.

Labs send reports directly back to our clinic since we are the ordering clinic/clinician. However, lab reports are also made available through NetCare — this means all lab reports for a patient are visible to any provider reviewing your lab results through that system regardless of ordering clinic/clinician. Other providers may also be able to see your prescriptions through NetCare.

At Foria Clinic, you can request access to your health records by contacting the clinic directly at support@foriaclinic.com. There will be a $30 fee to have your records sent to you.

The clinic will provide you with information on the process and any forms that may be necessary to fill out. It’s important to know that Canadian healthcare regulations also support patients' rights to access their own medical records, and Foria is committed to facilitating this in a timely manner.

Yes, Foria Clinic uses a secure video platform for virtual consultations through our electronic medical record (EMR) system. The platform employs encryption and other security measures to ensure that your privacy is protected during video calls. This is in line with Canadian healthcare regulations, which mandate the use of secure and confidential communication methods in healthcare settings.

Yes, we have a partner pharmacy that offers free and discreet shipping to most patients in Ontario and Alberta. You can also get your prescription filled at any pharmacy of your choice.