Welcome to the IDCA

Since the inception of the Independent Health Facilities Act, 1989, the Independent Diagnostic Clinics Association (IDCA) has been a voice for the community-based IHF sector, actively engaged in advocacy and education on behalf of and among its IHF-owner members.

Independent health facilities are an integral part of Ontario’s publicly funded health care system and have existed throughout the province for more than 40 years. There are approximately 1000 community-based, physician and non-physician, diagnostic facilities licensed under the Independent Health Facilities Act by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care (“the Ministry”).

IHFs provide approximately 60 per cent of diagnostic services, including mammography, X-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, ambulatory surgical care, sleep studies, eye care and pulmonary function services. More than 5 million diagnostic procedures are performed at IHFs on residents of Ontario annually, and are particularly important in areas where health care needs are under-serviced. The community-based nature of independent health facilities, licensed and regularly assessed by the Ministry to provide specific services within a defined area, offers the public coordinated, timely access to diagnostic services within their communities. This results in reduced wait times.