Health Care Connect

What is Health Care Connect?

Health Care Connect refers Ontarians who don't have a physician to a family health care provider who may be accepting new patients.

How does Health Care Connect work?

Unattached patients can call or go online to ontario.ca/healthcareconnect to register with the program. To successfully register, unattached patients must have a valid OHIP card and complete a health questionnaire to determine their need for family health care services. Priority is given to individuals who have greater health needs.

Once registered, program participants are assigned to a Care Connector.

Care Connectors, who are nurses employed by Home and Community Care Support Services Organizations, will work with family physicians and nurse practitioners who are accepting new patients.

Once an available provider is found, Health Care Connect will give the patient the provider's practice information to schedule their first appointment.

Health Care Connect sends providers a letter to inform them when their referral information has been passed on to a patient.

Physician Incentives

New fees and fee enhancements are available to family physicians participating in a primary care physician enrollment model who accept patients through this program. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will be sending you details on the incentives as soon as they are available.

A Care Connector and you

Local Care Connectors will be your central contact with Health Care Connect. They will work closely with you in your community to understand your practice and your ability to take on new patients. A Care Connector will review a patient's information to facilitate referral to a provider.

A Care Connector will be contacting you to discuss how you can support finding a family health care provider for Ontarians who are most in need, or alternately you may contact your Care Connector directly.

How to join Health Care Connect

Contact the Home Care Coordinator at your Home and Community Care Support Services to become part of Health Care Connect.