Healthcare in York Region

Canada's healthcare system is admired around the world. As a resident of York Region, you have access to our public healthcare system.

OHIP

The Ontario government pays for most basic healthcare. As a resident of York Region, you are eligible for the Ontario  Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). You will receive an Ontario Health Card. Keep this card safe.

OHIP covers medical services such as:

  • Family doctor or walk-in clinic visits
  • Hospital visits
  • Some dental surgery

If you are new to Ontario, one of the first things you need do is apply for an Ontario Health Card, also called an OHIP card.

You have to wait three months before you are eligible for coverage under OHIP. While you wait, you can receive short-term health insurance. There are companies that sell this type of insurance. You can find them in the yellow pages.

Finding a Family Doctor

In Ontario, it can be hard to find a family doctor accepting new patients. You might have to wait several months before finding a doctor. In the meantime, you can go to a walk-in clinic for a check-up while you wait. You can call Health Care Connect at 1-800-445-1822, a program that  refers people to doctors accepting new patients.

There are many walk-in medical clinics in York Region. Each clinic has doctors who can help you.

You need to show your Ontario Health Card each time you visit a doctor.

Family doctors or general practitioners (GPs) keep a history of your medical records and can refer you to specialists if you need specific medical care.

Hospitals

York Region has three hospitals:

Each hospital has an emergency department where you can go if you have an urgent medical problem. You will need to show your health insurance or your Ontario Health Card.

Finding a Dentist

Finding a dentist is easy in York Region. You have to pay for dental care unless you have additional insurance or are receiving government assistance. The Regional Municipality of York provides free dental programs for children in need.

Medications / Prescriptions

If your doctor or dentist wants you to take medicine, they will write you a prescription. York Region has many drugstores and pharmacists. You have to pay for your own medicine unless you have additional insurance or receive government assistance.

Links

For more information about healthcare in York Region and Ontario:

  • York Region’s Public Health department - provides excellent information about such health matters as pregnancy, parenting, eating correctly, and many more  health-related issues.
  • Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) - questions and answers on what you need to know about your Ontario Health Card.
  • Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - for more information about Ontario’s public health program.
  • Settlement.org - information about the location and programs offered by Community Health Centres. Community Health Centres are  non-profit organizations that provide primary health care for individuals, families and communities.
  • Ontario Doctors Search - the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario provides information about all family doctors and specialists, including practice addresses, telephone numbers, and  qualifications.
  • Interim Federal Health (IFH) Program - provides temporary health insurance to refugees, protected persons and refugee claimants, as well as to their dependants, who are not yet covered by a  provincial health insurance plan.
  • York Region Dental Services - list of the dental services available in York Region.
  • Yellow Pages - find walk-in clinics, dentists and private health insurance providers in your local municipality.

Facts

In case of an emergency – fire, police, or ambulance – dial  9-1-1 on your telephone. An emergency operator will send help.

If you are new to Ontario, one of the first things you need to do is apply for an Ontario Health Card.

It is very important to know that you cannot get an Ontario Health Card for the first three months that you live in Ontario. You can receive private health insurance for those three months.

OHIP does not cover the cost of prescription drugs. In Canada, the chemist is called a pharmacist. In some countries, you go to the chemist for your prescriptions, but in Canada you go to a drugstore or pharmacy.

Alternative health treatments, such as homeopathy and  naturopathy, are not covered by OHIP.

Many employers offer health benefits for medical costs that are not covered by OHIP, for example, eye examinations. You can also buy private health insurance.

The Ontario Government has a free service called Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. You call this number to speak with a qualified, registered  nurse and get health advice or information. You can call any time, day or night. The Telehealth service is in English or French with translation available  for other languages.