A resident of Ontario must have a health card to show that he or she is entitled to health care services paid for by OHIP.
Eligibility for OHIP
Ontario residents are eligible for provincially funded health coverage (OHIP). Generally, to be eligible for Ontario health coverage you must be:
- A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or among one of the newcomer to Canada groups who are eligible for OHIP as set out in Ontario’s Health Insurance Act ; and
- Physically present in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period; and
- Physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after establishing residency in the province; and
- Make your primary place of residence in Ontario.
There is no longer a 3-month waiting period for OHIP coverage. If you are eligible, you will have immediate health insurance coverage.
Find out more about OHIP coverage and how to get an OHIP card here.
Finding a Family Doctor – Health Care Connect
Health Care Connect helps Ontarians who are without a family health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) to find one. People without a family health care provider are referred to a family doctor or a nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients in their community. To find out more information about Health Care Connect, click here.
Finding Long-term Care or Home Care
Arranging care for yourself or a family member will involve a number of steps. This section of the website describes the process for arranging care, and the role you can play in the process. See this page for more details.
Your local Home and Community Care Support Services office can help. HCCSS branches are provincially-funded agencies that provide Home Care and Long-Term Care information and referral services in your area. The information is provided free of charge. For residents of Parkdale--High Park, our local HCCSS branch is Toronto Central HCCSS.
To find a suitable long-term care home, this page will help you.