Healthcare & OHIP
Ontario's healthcare system can be hard to navigate, especially when you can't find a family doctor, aren't sure what OHIP covers, or run into problems with your health card. This page covers the basics. If the system isn't working for you, our office can step in.
Ontario Health Insurance Plan
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers medically necessary doctor visits, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, and surgeries at no direct cost. You're eligible if you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Ontario at least 153 days per year. OHIP does not cover prescription drugs for most adults, dental care, or physiotherapy.
Find a Family Doctor
More than a million Ontarians don't have a family doctor. Health Care Connect is the province's waitlist to match you with a doctor or nurse practitioner. Register online or call 1-800-445-1822. While you wait, the Ontario Virtual Care Clinic offers interim access.
OHIP Renewal
Renewing your health card is free. If no new photo is needed, you can renew online. If a new photo is required (every 10 years), visit a ServiceOntario centre in person. Lost or stolen cards can also be replaced at ServiceOntario. Your health number is 10 digits — keep it somewhere safe.
OHIP+ for Under 25
If you're 24 or younger and have a valid OHIP card, your prescription drugs may be covered at no cost. OHIP+ covers over 5,000 medications on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary — no co-pay, no deductible, no private insurance required.
Sometimes the system doesn't work the way it should.
When you've done everything right and still can't get the help you need, our constituency office can look into it. We work directly with provincial ministries and service providers to move things forward.
Been on the Health Care Connect waitlist for months with no match?
Had an OHIP claim denied or delayed without a clear explanation?
New to Ontario and confused about the three-month waiting period?
Struggling with an OHIP issue?