Step 1 · Is it an emergency?
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now if you see:
- Chest painor pressure
- Trouble breathing
- STROKE? ACT FAST
Face drooping · Arm weak · Speech slurred · Time to call 911 - Seizure
- Serious injury
- A baby 6 months or youngerwho is sick
- Thinking of suicideor harming yourself
Hospitals cannot turn away a life-threatening emergency, with or without a health card.
Step 2
Not sure how serious it is? Call 811 and talk to a nurse.
Health811 is free, any time, day or night. You don't need a health card.
Call 811
9-8-8Suicide or mental health crisis. Call or text, any time.
2-1-1Help with housing, food, benefits and local services.
Step 3 · Find your situation
Tap a situation to see where to go.
Feeling stuck? Ask for a social worker. Many community health centres and hospitals have one, and it's free. Students and families: ask your school about its social worker or settlement worker.
I feel sick or I'm hurt, but it's not an emergency
- Pharmacist: can assess and prescribe for 28 common problems, like pink eye, UTIs and rashes. The assessment is free with a health card.
- Your family doctor or nurse practitioner, or your community health centre.
- Walk-in clinic or urgent care: sprains, small cuts, fevers, earaches.
I'm struggling with my mental health
- In crisis or thinking of suicide? Call or text 9-8-8, any time. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Free therapy for anxiety and depression, age 18+: Ontario Structured Psychotherapy. Ask your doctor, or sign up yourself.
- Your community health centre or family doctor can help you start.
I need a prescription or a refill
- Your pharmacist can often renew an ongoing prescription, for up to a year.
- Can't afford it? OHIP+ covers age 24 and under with no private plan. The Ontario Drug Benefit covers people 65+, and people on Ontario Works or ODSP. The Trillium Drug Program helps with high drug costs.
- Ask the pharmacist which program fits you.
I don't have a family doctor
- Sign up with Health Care Connect by calling 811 or online. You need your health card number.
- While you wait: a community health centre, walk-in clinic or pharmacist can help.
- People with urgent needs are matched first.
I don't have a health card, or I'm new to Canada
- Apply for OHIP at ServiceOntario. There is no waiting period.
- Refugee claimant? The federal Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) covers basic care. Show your IFHP document.
- No coverage? Community health centres serve people without insurance. Call ahead. Emergencies are never refused.
I'm pregnant
- A midwife is free, and you don't need a referral. Call early, spots fill up.
- Or see your family doctor, nurse practitioner or community health centre.
- No health card? Ask a midwife or community health centre what help is available.
My parent or loved one needs help at home
- Ontario Health atHome: anyone can call. Nursing, personal support (PSW) and physio at home, paid by OHIP after an assessment.
- They also handle long-term care applications.
I got a bill or a letter I don't understand
- Care that OHIP covers should not be billed to you.
- Doctors can charge for extras, like sick notes and forms, and must tell you first.
- Ask what it's for, in writing. Ask about a payment plan.
- A social worker can help you sort it out.
I want to make a complaint about my care
- Start with the place: ask for patient relations.
- Hospital, long-term care or home care: the Patient Ombudsman, free.
- About a doctor: the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
Wherever you go, bring
- Your health card or ID
- A list of your medicines
- Someone you trust
- Your questions, written down
You can ask for an interpreter, and you can ask for a copy of your records.