FAQ

Foria’s roots are in Connect-Clinic, an Ontario-based clinic that pioneered virtual gender-affirming care. In December 2022, Connect-Clinic 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. Connect-Clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Kate Greenaway, worked 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 clinician from your location. For some people, in-person care might be a better choice, and if so, your clinician will discuss this with you.

Foria is currently available in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Patients must be physically in Ontario, Alberta, or British Columbia at the time of their virtual consult. (Updated June 2026)

Foria provides gender-affirming hormone therapy, surgical referrals, letters for gender marker change, trans-affirming psychotherapy, and voice training. 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” button to get started, or visit our “Services” tab to learn more about what we offer.

To book, please visit our booking app at https://foria-intake.web.app/.

Need help using the booking system? Check out our step-by-step guide.

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.

In Alberta, there is a waitlist for Surgical Assessment appointments. You can self-refer to join our waitlist. The estimated wait time is approximately 3-6 months.

You can also self-refer for an intake appointment, which includes an Initial Consult or Transfer of Care Consult. There is no waitlist for intake appointments. Appointments are typically scheduled within one week of receiving your referral. The appointment itself is usually booked for a date approximately 4 weeks from the time of scheduling.

Hormone Initiation appointments and all subsequent appointments can be booked directly by the patient, with appointments typically available within three weeks.

Once you have created your profile in the TELUS Health Connect app, you can access the portal using your health card number.

If you do not have a health card, we will have provided you with a unique identifier by email. To sign in, select “No Provincial Coverage” and enter the unique identifier.

If you do not have a health card but you have not been provided with an identifier number, then email us at support@foriaclinic.com.

If you have a health card, follow the instructions below.

Alberta
To log in with AHCIP, you can use your health card number and your email or phone number. Enter AHCIP numbers with the hyphen.

British Columbia
To log in with MSP, you can use your health card number and your email or phone number. Enter MSP numbers without spaces.

Ontario
To log in with OHIP, you can use your health card number and your email or phone number. Enter OHIP numbers without spaces.

The electronic medical record system we use is called Collaborative Health Record (CHR). This is the system that we use to conduct our virtual video visits as well as send pre-visit forms and secure messages. You’ll receive an email or SMS whenever a new notification is available for you.

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.

You do not need a referral from a healthcare provider to access Foria. You can self-refer.

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.

You will be charged at the time of booking your appointment using our booking system.

The appointment fees will depend on the type of service you’re receiving. For more information on fees for specific types of appointments, visit our Hormones, Surgical Assessments or Mental Health pages.

Included in all appointment fees are the following:

• A review of your medical history

• Monitoring of your health including vitals and blood work

• Sexual health monitoring and check-ins

• Management of secondary effects

If you live in Alberta, some forms of hormone therapy are covered through the Alberta Drug Benefit List. Coverage depends on your eligibility for a provincial drug program (such as Non-Group Coverage, Alberta Adult Health Benefit, Income Support, or Seniors Coverage) or your private insurance plan.

Some medications require Special Authorization before they are covered. If your prescribed medication requires Special Authorization, your Foria clinician can submit the necessary paperwork on your behalf and send the approval to your preferred pharmacy when it has been processed.

Connect Fund is a non-profit organization partnered with Foria that provides financial assistance for 2SLGBTQ+ healthcare costs.

Any community member with healthcare costs that are not covered by provincial health insurance can apply – this includes surgeries, travel and accommodation for surgeries, and counselling.

Connect fund will begin taking applications at the end of 2024. To register your interest to donate or apply for funding, click here.

Credit card payments are completed via our secure online payment processor.

No. Foria appointments need to be paid in advance, but you can pay for these one at a time.

When you begin hormone therapy with Foria, you will need multiple appointments. The number and type of appointments will vary depending on if you’re starting hormones for the first time or transferring your care to us. To learn more about the intake process, visit https://www.foriaclinic.com/resources/your-foria-journey/.

Surgical assessments must be done before funding for a gender-affirming surgery is requested. These assessments typically include a review of gender identity, medical history, mental health, and the necessity of surgery for the patient’s well-being. 

During your surgical assessment, the nurse practitioner will review the types of surgery available, risks and benefits, and answer your questions.

Two surgical assessments are typically required for most types of gender-affirming surgeries. Chest masculinization or breast augmentation (for those that qualify) only require one assessment. Surgical assessments are conducted by healthcare professionals with expertise in gender-affirming care, including Foria clinicians. 

Yes, absolutely. If you already have one surgical assessment, a Foria clinician can provide the second.

First you will have your surgical assessment appointment(s) with your nurse practitioner who will submit a Prior Approval Form to get your surgery funding approved. Foria will track this process for you.

Once your Prior Approval Form has been reviewed and approved, your nurse practitioner will let you know this has been received and they will complete the referral to the surgeon of your choice.

For specifics on surgical referral letter appointment costs, please visit our Surgery assessment & referral letters page.

We are not allowed to refer to more than one surgeon at a time. We can, however, withdraw your referral to one surgeon and re-refer to another. If you would like to do this, please reach out to us at support@foriaclinic.com.

Yes. If your clinician deems it appropriate, they will provide a gender dysphoria diagnosis during your surgery assessment. This is because it’s required by surgeons and the Ministry of Health, if you're applying for coverage.

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.

If we’ve sent your prescription to your preferred pharmacy but they haven’t received it, get in touch with us at support@foriaclinic.com. Sometimes there can be glitches with faxes - we can re-send your prescription, which usually goes through. If it still hasn’t been received then let us know.

Generally, our clinicians may write prescriptions for three months, six months or one year at a time. How much of the medication you’re able to receive at once will depend on your pharmacy and how much they have in stock. For longer prescriptions, they may dispense your medication in instalments if inventory is running low.

No. To renew your prescription through us, you’ll need to book an appointment with one of our clinicians. This is so that we can ensure you’re healthy and the medication is working well. If you’re interested in proceeding with Foria and are eligible to receive care, you can book an appointment at https://book.foriaclinic.com/

If you don’t want to book an appointment with us, you may be able to receive a renewal through a local walk-in clinic. However, this is at each clinic’s discretion. We suggest contacting clinics directly to check if this is a possibility before going in person.

If your pharmacy doesn’t have your medication or injection supplies but they usually stock it, you can ask them to check other branches where it may be available. They can usually direct you to somewhere that has a supply, or can let you know when they’ll restock if you’re able to wait. If your pharmacy doesn’t have your medication and doesn’t stock it, you can ask if they would be able to order it in for you. If not, you will have to find an alternative pharmacy. It’s a good idea to try a different pharmacy brand (e.g. Shoppers, Rexall). If you call instead of visiting in person this can save you time.

If we’ve sent your prescription to your preferred pharmacy but they haven’t received it, get in touch with us at support@foriaclinic.com. Sometimes there can be glitches with faxes - we can re-send your prescription, which usually goes through. If it still hasn’t been received then let us know.

Foria clinicians will send you a requisition for lab tests through a secure message in the TELUS Health Connect app. This is a document that tells a lab what tests are being ordered and where to send results to. How long you have to wait to get blood work will depend on your location and labs in your area.

Laboratory testing is provided through Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL). We recommend booking your appointment ahead of time as availability can vary by location and demand. You can book your appointment here.

Maybe! This will vary depending on your individual situation. We will need to review your records first, so we can't make any guarantees until we see them. We'll definitely do our best to get you further along in the process.

If this applies to you, email us directly at support@foriaclinic.com. If you already have a copy of your records, you can email these to us if you are comfortable with that. Please note that email is a less secure form of communication – in your message to us, please indicate that you are aware of this and consent to sharing medical information through email.

If you do not have copies of your records or you are not comfortable using email, you or your provider(s) can also fax a copy of your records to us at +1 (437) 317-9843.

In addition to your hormone therapy, you’ll need:

• 1mL syringes

• 18g needles to draw up your hormone therapy (1-1.5 inch length)

• 23g needles for intramuscular injections (1 inch length)

• 25g needles for subcutaneous injections (5/8 inch length)

• alcohol swabs for cleaning the hormone vial and your skin

There are multiple options for where to get needles. Depending on how urgently you need them, you can order online or pick them up in person. There are also different price points depending on the supplier (some are free!).

Pharmacies. You can usually buy one or two needles at a time from most pharmacies. These are the most expensive option ($1-2 each) but can be useful if you need one immediately. If you would like, our clinicians can write you a prescription for these (which can be covered by a health spending account, if you have private insurance with one).

Online medical suppliers. These are cheaper than pharmacies and sell injection supplies in bulk. They can be convenient if you are in a rural or remote area, because they will deliver directly to you. Two options are Starkman’s and Emerdepot.

Harm reduction sites. These services are designed for people who use drugs, but anyone can use them. They provide injection supplies for free and may have healthcare workers present. Click here to find a site near you.

Alberta
You don't need a physician or nurse practitioner's documentation to change your ID in Alberta. Skipping Stone [https://www.skippingstone.ca/id-clinics] has resources and clinics to support you.

British Columbia
In British Columbia, you can update the gender marker on your ID directly. Trans Care BC [https://www.transcarebc.ca/explore-transition/id-change] has clear, step-by-step guidance to walk you through the process.

Ontario
Foria can provide a gender marker change letter for our Ontario patients. You can ask your clinician during your appointment, or you can send an email to support@foriaclinic.com. This service is free.

Service Ontario requires a hard copy letter signed by a doctor. Foria will prepare this letter and have it signed by our Medical Director, Dr. Kate Greenaway. We will then send it to you via post, so you can submit the letter yourself.

To prepare your letter, we’ll need some information from you. We will send an email with a link to our online questionnaire where you can give this to us. We will send you a secure message once we have sent this letter to you, so you can look out for it!

Your letter should arrive in a week or so. If you haven’t received it after that point, send us an email at the address above.

Yes! We can provide a travel letter. This letter will confirm that the medication is prescribed for you. Your clinician will send your letter through a secure message.

We recommend checking directly with your airline to confirm their protocol for travelling with medication. Hormone therapy should be no different to any other medication, as long as it is in the original container or packaging with your name and your prescriber information listed.

Some countries may be hostile towards trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people. Before travelling, we recommend checking the law relating to 2SLGBTQ+ people in your destination. In some cases you may have to be discreet for your own safety.

We recommend checking directly with your airline to confirm their protocol for travelling with medication. Hormone therapy should be no different to any other medication, as long as it is in the original container or packaging with your name and your prescriber information listed.

Some countries may be hostile towards trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people. Before travelling, we recommend checking the law relating to LGBTQ2S+ people in your destination. In some cases you may have to be discreet for your own safety.