Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
The provincial government sponsors basic health care under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), paid through income taxes.
Please take a moment to read “What you need to know about Healthcare”, provided by Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
Eligible Foreign Nationals and eligible family members each require their own health card. This card needs to be presented every time you visit a health care professional who bills through OHIP (e.g. University Staff/Faculty Family Practice Clinic, emergency room at London Health Sciences, visit to a specialist). Your OHIP card will have your photo and an expiry date linked to your date of birth.
Applications for OHIP can be made at the Service Canada Office:
217 York Street (corner of Clarence and York)
5th Floor
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Wednesday 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Documentation
You must bring three pieces of valid identification that show:
- Validated work permit (if Foreign National)
- Proof of Ontario residency (e.g., Driver’s license, bank statement, must be an original document)
- Proof of identity (e.g., Social Insurance Number, with signature, passport)
There is a mandatory three-month “waiting period” after you have registered for OHIP before this coverage begins (with the exception of newborn babies born in Canada and living in Ontario); however, you may apply immediately upon entering Canada. For individuals who are not covered by OHIP, coverage will be provided to you and your family through The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) until the end of your three-month waiting period.
Canadians returning to Canada after living abroad must reapply for OHIP coverage and will need to apply for UHIP coverage for the 3 month waiting period.
For Canadians who previously resided in another province, your previous insurance should cover you until the Ontario health coverage begins without the need to purchase additional coverage.
Family Clinic for Faculty/Staff at Western
Western operates a Faculty/Staff Family Practice Clinic on the lower level of the University
Community Centre. This Clinic provides health care services to University faculty and staff
members and their spouses and children who do not currently have a family physician. This
clinic operates in the same capacity as Family Practice Clinics throughout the city.
Staff and faculty are asked to register for the Clinic on the web at http://www.sffpc.uwo.ca/
List of Doctors in London Accepting New Patients
HEALTH CARE CONNECT
1-800-445-1822
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Telephone referral service connecting people in Ontario without a family
health care provider with doctors/nurse practitioners accepting new patients.
Hospitals
London Health Sciences Centre
LHSC is located across three campuses, South Street Hospital, University Hospital and Victoria
Hospital and home to the London Regional cancer Program, the Children’s Hospital, CSTAR
(Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics) and Lawson Health Research Institute.
St. Joseph’s Health Centre
St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Parkwood Hospital and the London/St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital
serve the residents of London and Southwestern Ontario, and the Veterans of Canada.
Walk-in Medical Clinics
Walk-in medical clinics provide immediate medical care who individuals who require medical
attention and do not have a family doctor or unable to reach their family doctor. Appointments
are not necessary; however, clinic hours are variable and need to be confirmed prior to going to
a specific clinic. These clinics are busy and wait times are variable.
The following PDF contains most, if not all, walk in medical clinics in London along with contact
information and hours of operation.