Canada Health Insurance

With a population of approximately 13 million residents, there is no wonder that it is difficult to find a doctor with only 26,000 practicing physicians in Ontario. Out of that number, less than half of them are family doctors!

There are several ways for you to find a doctor in your province:

1. Sign up with Health Care Connect.

As long as you have a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan card, updated mailing address and currently do not have a family doctor, you are eligible to join the program.

How does it work?

1. Once you have successfully signed up online or by phone, a questionnaire will be provided to you to determine what your level of need is for a family doctor.
2. A nurse in your community, also called a Care Connector, will contact you for any follow up questions and will begin a local search for doctors accepting new patients.

Note that:

1. Finding a doctor is unfortunately not guaranteed, so you’re strongly encouraged to continue your own search.
2. Individuals with higher level needs will be placed as a priority over your situation.

For more details, visit the Health Care Connect website.

1. Contact a Community Health Centre.

With over 30 offices across Ontario, your doctor search might be successful with one of these locations accepting new patients.

1. Visit The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario website.

You have the ability to search a doctor by name, practice address and phone number. Other information available includes the doctor’s registration status (whether he is authorized to practice or is still in training), qualifications and more importantly, any previous history of misconduct or incompetency.

1. Search OpenCare.com

This website allows you to search for family doctors and other specialists including massage therapists, chiropractors, dentists and more in the cities of Toronto, London, Mississauga and Brampton. The doctors’ schedules are posted online with their upcoming availabilities.

1. Sign up on the Ontario Doctor Directory

This website allows for a free search by doctor’s name but asks for a one-time fee of $9.95 to be able to access their advanced doctor search by city, language, gender, specialty or new patient availability.

These resources will hopefully assist you with your search for a doctor in Ontario.

Good luck!