Ontario's health care system is one of the best in the world. Ontarians who qualify can access a variety of health care services in their community. Read through the sections below to discover how to access the system, and to learn about the many health care options in Ontario.
If you live in Ontario or plan to move here soon, you may have questions about how to get medical help.
In many cases, people who look for medical care do not have an emergency. They may simply be sick or injured and need help.
This website is for information about getting urgent care. If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, go to a hospital emergency room or call 9-1-1 immediately.
For many people, a time comes when they need help to keep living in their own homes. It may be due to illness. It may be due to age. The reason does not matter. What matters is that they get the help they need.
You may need to take medicine if you are sick or injured. In some cases, you can buy medicines in a drug store without ever seeing a doctor or nurse. These are called over-the-counter drugs.
If you live in Ontario or plan to move here soon, you may have questions about how to get medical help. If you do, you're in the right place. You'll find answers here to all the common questions people in Ontario ask about health care. We've organized the information under two main headings:
We've also provided links where you can learn more about these topics.
Do you need help in another language? You can find information about health care in Ontario in 27 languages.
If you live in Ontario, many of the health care services you need are publicly funded. This means that the government pays all or part of the cost for you. Services include:
To pay for these services, Ontario has set up the Ontario Health Insurance Plan. Most people in Ontario call the plan by its short name: OHIP. When Ontarians pay taxes, some of the money goes into this plan to pay for their health services. To be covered by OHIP, you need to sign up to join. Doctors and other health care providers then bill OHIP for the services they provide to you.
Tip: If you do not qualify for OHIP, you must pay your own health care costs while in Ontario. Or, you could consider buying private health insurance. With private insurance, you pay a monthly fee to a company so that they will cover certain health care costs. Even if you qualify for OHIP, you can use private insurance to pay for some services that OHIP does not cover.
OHIP is the government-run health plan for Ontario. It is funded by money from taxes paid by Ontario residents and businesses.
OHIP pays for most basic medical and emergency services you receive in Ontario – as long as you need them for medical reasons. Learn more about coverage in Ontario.
OHIP pays for most basic medical and emergency services you receive anywhere in Canada – as long as you need them for medical reasons. For people travelling outside Canada, OHIP pays a set rate for emergency health services. Learn more about coverage outside Ontario.
Note: Certain rules apply about the length of time you may be away from Ontario and still qualify for OHIP.
To apply for OHIP, you must be able to answer 'yes' to the three questions listed below:
Certain other conditions also apply. Learn more about who can apply for OHIP.
You must apply in person at your nearest ServiceOntario office. You must bring:
Questions? Need help finding a ServiceOntario office? Call the ServiceOntario, Infoline between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Staff are ready to help you in English, French and 20 other languages. Call:
You must show your Ontario health card when you go for medical help. The card proves that you are entitled to have your health care services paid for by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). You will receive your card when you join the plan. Always have your card with you.
Where should you go for help? It depends on the kind of help you need. Learn more now about your Health Care Options.
Contact ServiceOntario, Infoline between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Staff are ready to help you in English, French and 20 other languages. Call:
In many cases, people who look for medical care do not have an emergency. They may simply be sick or injured and need help.
There are many ways to get non-emergency medical care in Ontario. There are trained medical staff who can answer your questions by phone. There are family doctors, nurses and other health care providers. In most cases, they are the first to check out and treat your medical problems.
To understand your choices, read on. We've also provided links where you can learn more.
Do you need help in another language? You can find information about health care in Ontario in 27 languages.
Yes. Call Health Connect Ontario at 811. This is a free, confidential phone service that you can call any time, night or day. You can get health advice or general health information from a nurse. The nurse will help you decide if you should:
You will most likely see:
Looking for a doctor or nurse practitioner? Sign up for Health Care Connect. You can register for this free service online or call 1-800-445-1822. Make sure you have a valid card for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
It depends on the kind of help you need. Learn more now about your Health Care Options.
Do you have a life-threatening medical emergency? Go to a hospital emergency room or call 9-1-1 immediately.
Contact your Local Health Integration Network. They help people live on their own at home or move to a long-term care home.
Contact ServiceOntario, Infoline between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Staff will able to help you in English, French or 20 other languages. Call:
This website is for information about getting urgent care. If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, go to a hospital emergency room or call 9-1-1 immediately. The 911 operator can get an interpreter for you, if you need one.
A hospital is only one place to get emergency care. Sometimes people go there because they don't know where else to go. To help you understand all your choices, you'll find information here on:
We've also provided links where you can learn more about these topics.
Do you need help in another language? You can find information about health care in Ontario in 27 languages.
Call Health Connect Ontario at 811. This is a free, confidential phone service that you can call anytime day or night. You will get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse.
Call your family doctor, Family Health Team or Nurse Practitioner Clinic to see if you can be seen without an appointment or during extended hours. If you don't have a family doctor, you may want to visit a walk-in clinic. You can get for problems like flu, coughs and colds, minor injuries, and more long-standing medical problems. Find a doctor, a Family Health Team, Nurse Practitioner Clinic or Walk-in Clinic now
Go to your nearest walk-in clinic or Urgent Care Centre or call your Family Health Team if you are enrolled in one. You can get help during the day, in the evening and on weekends. These centres can help with problems like eye injuries, wounds, broken limbs, X-rays and laboratory tests. You don't need an appointment – just go if you need help. Find health care options near you.
An emergency room is also called an ER. An ER provides urgent medical and surgical care to patients at a hospital. You would only go to an ER for potentially life-threatening illness and injury. Find an Emergency Room near you
Ontario provides air and land ambulance service for the most urgent health emergencies. Ambulances can bring you to the ER quickly and provide trained people to help you during the ride. On the road, their sirens clear a path through traffic by warning other cars to move out of the way.
If you need to take an ambulance to a hospital, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) will pay for most of the cost. You will have to pay a small fee ($45).
Note: If the doctor who sees you at the hospital thinks that your ambulance ride was not medically necessary, you must pay $240.
To call an ambulance, dial 911 from any phone. The 911 operator can get an interpreter for you if you need one. They will ask you about your health problem and send an ambulance if you need one. Your call is free from any phone.
In an emergency, hospitals will treat you without seeing your card first. But you will have to show your card later if you want the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) to pay your hospital bills.
This is what will likely happen after you arrive:
Once the doctor knows more about your problem, you may be treated and sent home. Or, if your case more serious, you will stay at the hospital for further tests or treatment.
Many things may affect how much time you will spend in an ER:
Contact ServiceOntario, Infoline between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Staff will able to help you in French, English or 20 other languages. Call:
For many people, a time comes when they need help to keep living in their own homes. It may be due to illness. It may be due to age. The reason does not matter. What matters is that they get the help they need.
What should you do if you or a loved one needs home care? This web site is a good place to start. You'll learn here about many of the home care services you can get in Ontario. We've organized the information on these pages into two sections:
We've also provided links where you can learn more about these topics.
Do you need help in another language? You can find information about health care in Ontario in 27 languages.
Home care services help people maintain their health and independence at home. Many of these services are funded by the Ontario government.
This list sums up four main types of home care services:
Visiting Health Professional Services
These services can help you after a stay in hospital, or if you need help due to illness or injury. Help includes visits to assess your needs, planning for and/or providing care for you. You may also receive supplies and equipment that you need.
Personal Care and Support
These services can help you with many daily living activities. Examples include bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, and more.
Homemaking
Homemaking services help you with routine household activities. These include menu planning, shopping, preparing meals, light housekeeping and more.
Community Support Services
These services help you live safely and independently at home. They include services such as meal delivery, transportation, help for your caregivers, adult day programs and more.
Home care services are funded in many different ways:
Many people who want to stay in their own homes will arrange a mix of services funded in a number of different ways.
Your local Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) will help you:
To take the first step, use the LHIN Locator to find your LHIN.
You will need to contact your Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). Your LHIN will determine if you qualify for government-funded home care. Use the LHIN Locator to find your LHIN.
You will have to pay for the services you need. You can apply directly to the people or companies that you choose. Your Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) can help you find services. Learn more about finding a home care provider.
Contact ServiceOntario, Infoline between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Staff are ready to help you in English, French and 20 other languages. Call:
Health care for newcomers to Ontario
Find home care services in Ontario
You may need to take medicine if you are sick or injured. In some cases, you can buy medicines in a drug store without ever seeing a doctor or nurse. These are called over-the-counter drugs.
For other drugs, you will need a doctor or nurse to give you a prescription. A prescription is like a list of steps to follow for your health care. It tells you what drug(s) you will need to take, how often and for how many days.
What do you do with a prescription? Is there any drug plan to help cover the costs? The information you find here will help you understand:
We've also provided links where you can learn more about these topics.
Do you need help in another language? You can find information about health care in Ontario in 27 languages.
You need to have your prescription filled by a drug store (also called a pharmacy). You may choose a store based on factors like the location and hours of operation.
Staff will check the prescription and your personal information such as your name, address and phone number. If you have a drug plan that will help pay for your medicine, you need to provide that information. The pharmacist will tell you how to take the medicine safely. If you have any questions about taking the medicine, be sure to ask.
No. OHIP does not pay for prescription drugs. But if you need help paying for your medication, there are other plans that may help you. For instance, you may be covered by one of Ontario's drug plans. These include:
Or, if you work, your employer may offer a drug plan which will pay some or all of your drug costs. If not, you will have to pay for your prescription drugs on your own.
You must meet certain conditions to qualify for these plans.
To apply to the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan: You will likely join this plan through another Ontario health care program, such as long-term care or home care. The person who helps you apply for that program will also help you apply to this drug plan.
If you are over age 65: If you have a valid Ontario health card, you do not need to apply to this plan. You simply take your prescription and your health card to your drug store. Tell the pharmacist that you are now eligible for the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan. The pharmacist will check that you qualify through the government's Health Network System.
To apply to the Trillium Drug Program: You can pick up an application kit at your local drug store. Or, call 1-800-575-5386. You can also get a copy of the application form and guide on-line:
Contact ServiceOntario, Infoline between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Staff are ready to help you in English, French and 20 other languages. Call:
Health care for newcomers to Ontario
More links and resources
Call ServiceOntario, Infoline at:
1–866–532–3161 (Toll–free)
In Toronto, (416) 314–5518
TTY 1–800–387–5559.
In Toronto, TTY (416)327–4282
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
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