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Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Rental developers are offering a new perk for Toronto tenants — private health care
It's always a perk having a pool, gym or parking space in your apartment building. But how about free virtual health-care services? Now, residents in Toronto have access to that niche offering in select rental buildings. Toronto purpose-built rental developer Fitzrovia has partnered with Cleveland Clinic Canada exclusively for 10 years to offer its virtual care services in three of their Toronto buildings — downtown's Elm-Ledbury and Waverley, and Parker in midtown — with a fourth building, Sloane, near Yorkdale mall, coming this fall. 'We help provide that essential service and have partnered with a strong health-care provider so that our residents don't have to go to a walk-in clinic ever again,' said Adrian Rocca, CEO of Fitzrovia. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The intersection of housing and health care is an emerging trend in the rental market. There's already been an expansion of companies offering privatized virtual-only health care services in Ontario workplaces, with more employers offering them to workers. But now developers are partnering with private health-care companies to offer these services as a perk to thousands of GTA tenants. Developers say these health-care services improve resident satisfaction, attract new tenants, and help newcomers navigate the health-care system. They also offer a competitive edge, especially as the rental market faces downward price pressures and rising vacancies. But further expansion of private virtual-only health care into the rental space doesn't address the root of Canada's family doctor shortage, a health-care professional warns, and could detract from finding real solutions in the province's public health system. 'It's important to recognize the crisis in primary care,' said Dr. Danyaal Raza, past chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, adding that more than two million Ontarians don't have access to a family doctor. 'People are desperate for care. So the question is what do we do about that? And how do we get people good care?' Developers and private health-care providers partner up Fitzrovia isn't the only developer dabbling in the health care space. For several years, Hazelview Properties has partnered with Maple, a Canadian virtual health-care company, to expand access to essential services for its residents across the country. In the GTA, Maple is available to seven properties — with the program expanding to another building in midtown Toronto this month. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Real Estate Nearly half of Canadian low- and moderate-income renters surveyed lack air conditioning National tenant union ACORN Canada is calling for national standards on cooling access and heat A few years ago, Hazelview formalized its social impact strategy and 'engaged with residents on what their socioeconomic needs were, and found that health and wellness was a priority,' said managing partner Colleen Krempulec, head of sustainability and brand. 'As a housing provider we asked ourselves, what more can we do?' Tenants must sign up to connect with health-care professionals. Residents access services through the Maple platform on a mobile device or computer and are paired with a health-care professional in minutes, Krempulec said. At Fitzrovia, residents also sign up for the service and have access to nurses who can diagnose up to 120 common ailments. Residents can access the virtual care appointment through their own personal devices or in the 'care room' in their building, which has diagnostic tools such as a blood pressure machine and a medical exam kit that can remotely review heart rate and temperature. To date, 30 per cent of Fitzrovia's residents have signed up for the health-care services, Rocca said. Rocca emphasized the service especially helps new immigrants, who typically rent when first moving to Canada and often struggle to access a family doctor. 'We want to do things right and commit to our civic duty as a long-term owner of the building,' Rocca said. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW From developers to insurers At both Fitzrovia and Hazelview, tenants do not pay out of pocket nor is it included in their rent. Instead, the developers almost act like a private insurer, covering the virtual appointment costs for residents — or in Hazelview's case, up to a limited number of free appointments. For Hazelview tenants, depending on the program they have access to, they have anywhere from two to six free sessions with a health-care professional covered per year, Krempulec said. Once a resident has used all sessions available in their plan, they can access care through Maple at their own cost, directly via the platform, a Hazelview spokesperson added. At Fitzrovia, Rocca said the cost is covered by Fitzrovia. Joanne Kearney, spokesperson for Fitzrovia, said that just as employers play a vital role in expanding access through health benefits plans Fitzrovia believes it can contribute to the well-being of their communities in a similar fashion. Around 30 to 60 per cent of Fitzrovia residents are newcomers to Canada and are subject to the mandatory three-month waiting period before qualifying for OHIP coverage, she said. 'This is before even starting the search for a family doctor, which can take several months to many years. Other residents, such as international students, may not be eligible for OHIP at all,' she said in a written statement. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Expanding private health-care comes at a cost The Canada Health Act prohibits people paying for medically necessary care delivered by a doctor or in a hospital. That leaves many areas open for private payment — such as paying a nurse practitioner for primary care — that have allowed private virtual health clinics to grow, with people signing up on their own or companies acting like private insurers. Real Estate 'Financial landlords' more aggressive on raising Toronto rents than other landlords, study finds Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), asset managers and private equity firms raised rents Private virtual-only walk-in clinics are growing rapidly as they're less expensive to operate with minimal overhead costs, said Raza, who's also a family physician at St. Michael's Hospital. There's a risk that virtual-only privatized services are drawing family doctors, nurse practitioners and other professionals away from publicly funded, in-person care that 'needs to be the backbone of our system,' he added. Having publicly funded primary care teams in all communities across the province is where investment and focus should be, he said. That means people are never more than a 15-to-20-minute journey from a health-care clinic with physicians, nurses and specialists they can access with ease. Raza said in his practice he uses a combination of in-person and virtual care, but when people use virtual-only care it can lead to higher rates of emergency department use. 'Primary care in Ontario is at a crossroad,' he said. 'We don't want to blame individuals (such as tenants) for doing what they can to get care. However, we do need to hold organizations and decision-makers accountable to make sure at the system level we make the right decisions, not the wrong ones.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Krempulec said Hazelview's partnership with Maple is not politically motivated. 'We absolutely believe in Canada's universal public health-care system,' she said. 'Offering our residents virtual care through Maple is not about undermining that principal. It's a complementary option, especially helping those who face a barrier to access to the publicly funded system,' she said. Fitzrovia's Kearney said the service can be vital for some residents, given the Ontario public system is scaling back its support for virtual care. Real Estate Ford government scrapped Toronto affordable housing requirements after pushback from three REITs, documents show Two of the REITs suggested the quotas for converted employment lands could result in no new In 2022, a new agreement in Ontario between doctors and the province came into effect that adjusted the fee codes for virtual care, with the aim of reducing the use of specific 'walk-in' virtual visits and to encourage virtual care in conjunction with in-person care. 'For individuals with physical disabilities or those facing mobility challenges, this is a serious setback. On-demand virtual care addresses some inequities by making access to care easier for those who have difficulty getting to a clinic, or difficulty finding a brick-and-mortar walk-in clinic,' Kearney said.
Globe and Mail
14-05-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Building Longevity: Levers for a longer, better life
Event summary produced by The Globe and Mail Events team. The Globe's editorial department was not involved. Sleep, mental health, exercise and diet can all play an essential role in not only the length of our lives, but the quality of them. Taking preventative health care steps can be challenging for most Canadians as time and resources are predominantly allocated toward treating illness, as opposed to preventing it. Socioeconomic determinants like housing and income also play a pivotal role in population health, but are largely outside of an individual's control. Alternatively, focusing on what we can control as individuals has proven health benefits. On April 28, 2025 The Globe and Mail hosted an event on building habits that lend to a longer, healthier life. The day began with a panel discussion hosted by Globe and Mail generations reporter, Ann Hui, who was joined by Laura Rosella, professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at University of Toronto and Dr. Steve Pomedli, physician with Cleveland Clinic Canada, who both shared insights on the demographic trends shaping health in Canada. Next, Martin Gibala, professor of kinesiology at McMaster University presented on how short, powerful bursts of exercise can trigger big health and fitness gains through minimal, time-efficient doses. The day's second panel discussion was hosted by Globe and Mail health editor, Caroline Alphonso. The conversation was focused on the importance of preserving mental health. Alphonso was joined by registered psychotherapists, Anita Owusu and Jean Tsai, as well as Mina Husain, psychiatrist and assistant professor of adult psychiatry and health systems at the University of Toronto. Following the panel discussion, Leslie Beck, director of food and nutrition at Medcan, presented on the key components of high-quality dietary patterns for healthy aging. David R. Samson, professor of evolutionary anthropology and bestselling author of Our Tribal Future, concluded the day with a closing keynote focused on practical strategies for improving sleep quality. The Globe and Mail presented the event with sponsor support from Manulife. Event summary produced by The Globe and Mail Events team. The Globe's editorial department was not involved.
Cision Canada
29-04-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Homewood Health and Cleveland Clinic Canada Come Together to Launch Comprehensive Mental Health, EFAP & Virtual Care Solution for Canadian Workplaces Français
Addition of Cleveland Clinic Canada's Virtual Care to Homewood Health's Mental Health and EFAP Offering Provides Access to Quality Care, Unlimited Support, and Seamless Specialist Referrals GUELPH, ON, April 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Homewood Health, Canada's leading provider of mental health and EFAP services, has joined with Cleveland Clinic Canada, a leading virtual healthcare provider, to introduce an advanced and accessible mental health, EFAP and virtual care solution for Canadian workplaces. This combined offering by two highly experienced service-focused national leaders provides an integrated, high-quality healthcare experience that ensures employees receive the right care at the right time—helping organizations build stronger, healthier, and more resilient teams. Key features of Cleveland Clinic Canada's virtual care service include: Easy, Prompt Access to a Nurse Practitioner —Employees can connect with a licensed clinician within minutes, ensuring fast, quality care. Unlimited Visits and Follow-ups —Consultations are unlimited, and employees receive ongoing support whenever needed. One Visit, Multiple Concerns —Employees can discuss all their health issues in a single appointment, eliminating unnecessary delays. Canada-Wide Coverage —Available nationwide, this plan ensures access to high-quality healthcare regardless of employee's location. Comprehensive Testing & Screening —Employees receive requisition forms for necessary medical tests and screening, which supports early diagnosis and preventative care. In-Home Diagnostics – TytoCare technology enables the diagnosis of more conditions virtually by remotely assessing temperature, examining the throat and ears, and listening to the heart and lungs. Seamless Prescription Delivery —Medications can be sent directly to an employee's home or preferred pharmacy. Specialist Referrals —Access a high-quality network of specialists for additional support as needed. Homewood Health is excited to bring Cleveland Clinic Canada's virtual care offering to its customers and combine this with Homewood Health's comprehensive mental health and employee assistance services. These services include MeetNow, which provides immediate access to counselling; Enhanced Mental Health Care, which provides longer-term psychotherapy for more significant mental health challenges; and an advanced digital platform that provides tailored recommendations for support, sophisticated counsellor matching tools, and access to a range of mental health and wellness resources. "This is more than just another virtual health service—it brings together a combined 250 years of health expertise," says Jagoda Pike, President & CEO of Homewood Health Inc. "By integrating virtual medical care and specialist referrals with Homewood's extensive mental health and employee assistance services and advanced digital platform, we can meaningfully impact employee health, engagement and productivity." "A healthier workforce is a stronger workforce," says Mike Kessel, President & CEO, Cleveland Clinic Canada. "By combining expert virtual medical care with seamless mental health support, we're not just treating illnesses—we're creating a workplace culture where well-being comes first." About Homewood Health With over 140 years of experience, Homewood Health is at the forefront of mental health and well-being, providing Canadians with an unparalleled continuum of care. We achieve outstanding outcomes every day through our national network of over 6,000 employees and clinical experts working in partnership with leading employers, organizations and researchers. Our unique and comprehensive stepped care continuum provides the most complete range of mental health services available nationally – from organizational support & training programs to employee assistance & mental health programs, as well as specialized expertise in assessments, return to work, recovery management and family support – all supported by our medical and mental health expertise in our nationally recognized treatment facilities: Homewood Health Centre, Homewood Ravensview and The Residence at Homewood. For more information, please visit About Cleveland Clinic Canada Cleveland Clinic Canada is the Canadian location of Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical centre that has provided world class patient care to people from around the world since 1921. Cleveland Clinic Canada's multi-disciplinary team of physicians and wellness experts provide in-person care at our clinics in Toronto as well as virtual care across Canada. Their medical experts also work with companies to help them manage organizational risk and improve the health of their employees in a wide range of industries. Patients benefit from the expertise of dozens of Canadian physicians, specialists and wellness experts, and over 3,500 physicians and specialists across the Cleveland Clinic network. Visit to learn more. SOURCE Homewood Health Inc.
