Everyone should be able to access healthcare.

Portrait of a woman and a child embracing one another.

Services & Resources in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Being able to access services that keep people healthy is important to the well-being of our communities. There are a variety of healthcare services available to uninsured people. This includes undocumented people and people who do not have OHIP. We have detailed these services below.

Side portrait of a balding, bearded man looking off into the distance.

Primary Care

Primary care is a broad term used in Canada to describe health services provided in the community e.g. seeing a family doctor, nurse practitioner, social worker in a clinic. This includes diagnosis, treatment and management of health problems as well as disease prevention and health promotion services. Seeing these providers in a clinic is often the place of first contact with the healthcare system.

  • Paying for care with a family doctor at a doctor’s office or walk-in clinic.

  • CHCs are non-profit organizations that provide primary health and health promotion programs for individuals, families and communities. These Centres provide services for uninsured. Some have more experience doing this than others. There are 31 CHCs, including satellites, in the GTA each one with a specific catchment area (definition: the clinic’s services are restricted to people living within certain areas) and eligibility criteria (definition: specific rules about who can be registered as a patient. For example: some CHCs are focussed on seeing youth and will only serve people under the age of 29).

    To find the closest CHC, use the Find a Centre Tool on the Alliance for Healthier Communities Website to get connected. It is a good idea to call ahead to confirm eligibility.

What are the options for accessing primary care if uninsured?

  • These clinics have been set up specifically to serve uninsured people. Some operate as a walk-in, others requiring appointments. There are 4 located within the GTA:

    Canadian Centre for Immigrant and Refugee Health
    https://www.healthequity.ca
    Community Volunteer Clinic as well as the Swan Program (for women)
    4158 Sheppard Ave E, Scarborough ON
    For appointments;
    (647) 267-2176 or info@healthequity.ca

    Muslim Welfare Centre
    https://www.muslimwelfarecentre.com/causes/free-clinic/
    Free Medical Clinic for the uninsured. Serve everyone regardless of religion or ethnicity.
    2 locations:
    Scarborough (100 McLevin Ave, Unit 2A)
    Mississauga (796 Burnhamthorpe Rd West, Unit 2)
    For appointments at either location call 647-641-1027

    Access Alliance - Non-Insured Walk-in Clinic (NIWIC)
    https://accessalliance.ca/programs-services/primary-health-care-services/non-insured-walk-in-clinic/
    Offers free health care services on a first come, first served basis as well as appointment basis. - 761 Jane Street, Toronto - walk-in, check website for timings or call 416 760-2810.

    FCJ Refugee Centre - Primary Health Clinic - run by the Inner City Health Associates (ICHA)
    https://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/our-programs/settlement-programs/health-clinic/
    208 Oakwood Ave. Toronto.
    Need to call in order to book appointment: (416) 469 9754 x230

  • https://healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca/static/guest/home
    1-866-797-0000
    Health Connect Ontario is a free, confidential telephone and chat service people can connect with to get health advice or general health information from a registered nurse. You do not need OHIP to use this service and you do not have to provide any personal contact information. Health Connect Ontario is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can offer translation support in multiple languages.

Portrait of a young diverse man laughing who is wearing a blue button up denim shirt.
Portrait of two young black women embracing one another.

Sexual Health Clinics

Sexual health clinics have been set up by the province to provide free sexual health testing, counselling and treatment services to all people, including uninsured people. The clinics are staffed by doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses and all the services are confidential. No referral is required in order to access services.

Services offered include

  • birth control counseling

  • free confidential sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing and treatment

  • anonymous HIV testing and HIV/AIDS Programs

  • immunizations for hepatitis A and B and HPV vaccine

  • pap testing

  • urine pregnancy testing

  • low-cost birth control

  • needle exchange programs

GTA Sexual Health Clinics are run in partnership with Toronto Public Health, with 15 clinics located across the city.

To find a clinic and the details regarding how to access care, please visit the Toronto Public Health Sexual Health Clinic website or the Blue Door Clinic.

Pregnancy Care

  • Midwives are specialists in prenatal care. They provide care in clinics across the province and provide labour and birth care in hospitals, birth centres and people’s homes (they are the only providers trained to deliver babies out of hospital). Midwives can see people who are living in the province who are uninsured and they do not charge any fees for this. They also have arrangements through the government to have fees for lab tests, ultrasounds and consultations with specialists covered so that uninsured people do not have to pay for these services. Midwives look after clients and their babies until 6 weeks after birth. After the delivery, several of the visits take place at home.

    Find a midwife here: https://www.ontariomidwives.ca/find-midwife

  • Family doctors and nurse practitioners may also provide prenatal care. Those that do, may do so all the way until the end of pregnancy and a small number will attend to patients in labour at hospitals. Most will refer to other providers - midwives or obstetricians - midway through the pregnancy. Family doctors and nurse practitioners practicing at Community Health Centres (CHCs) will not charge fees for the prenatal care for uninsured people. Those working outside the CHC system usually charge, and the fees are set by the care provider or the facility they work with.

  • Obstetricians are specialists in high-risk pregnancy (for example a pregnancy complicated by high blood pressure or diabetes). In Ontario, obstetricians also look after healthy low risk pregnancies. They may see uninsured people, charging a fee set by their practice or provider. If someone is referred to an obstetrician by their CHC family doctor or nurse practitioner, these fees will be covered by the CHC in most cases.

When people get pregnant in Ontario and plan to continue their pregnancies, they have 4 primary prenatal care options: midwifery, family doctor, nurse practitioner, or obstetrician. When someone is pregnant, the routine schedule of visits with the primary prenatal care provider is:

  • a visit every 4 weeks until you are 28 weeks pregnant,

  • then a visit every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, 

  • then weekly visits until the delivery.

It is recommended that pregnant people seek this full course of care in order to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Abortion Care

  • In Ontario, OHIP will cover the whole cost of abortions performed in hospitals or clinics licensed as Independent Health Facilities. University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) and Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) will cover the full cost as well. If someone doesn't have access to these insurance plans, they generally need to pay for care, however there are exceptions.

  • The cost of surgical abortion at abortion clinics in the GTA without health insurance ranges from $300-$2300, depending on the procedure, stage of pregnancy, and clinic.
    Here are some ways you can advocate for your client to get the fees reduced or covered

    • Some clinics offer reduced rates for uninsured individuals, or have programs to help support individuals in this position.

    • Action Canada is trusted resource to learn more about abortion services, to find providers near you, and to seek support for financial coverage for abortion services. They can be reached at the Access Line at 1-888-642-2725.

  • Medication abortion is a safe option for many people who want to end an early pregnancy or whose pregnancies may be starting to end on their own (miscarriage). The pills required (Mifegymiso) for this type of care are covered by OHIP, UHIP and IFHP; however they cost nearly $400 if you do not have OHIP. Here are some ways you can advocate to get the cost of the medications covered if uninsured:

    • In the GTA, it’s a good idea to connect with a person’s local Community Health Centre to try and access this care. If your client is already registered with a CHC, you can advocate to have the cost of the pills covered.

    • The MATCH Program out of the South Riverdale CHC can provide medication abortion and early pregnancy loss care to people regardless of health insurance status, no matter where they live in the GTA. The costs of the medication are covered.

Abortion in Canada has been legal for over 30 years, however access to this care is still restricted by financial resources, geographic location, immigration status and providers refusing to provide services based on religious or moral grounds. Under the Canada Health Act, abortion services are covered by provincial or territorial health insurance across the entire country.

There are two types of abortion: 

  1. Surgical or in-clinic abortion (also known as aspiration abortion) 

  2. Medication abortion (where medication is used to induce a miscarriage)

Both are safe procedures with exceptionally low rates of complications that do not impact someone's future chances of becoming pregnant.

Side portrait of a young bearded man laughing who is wearing a blue denim shirt and a winter hat.
Portrait of a South Asian woman sitting on stairs.
Portrait of a young woman with long hair who is wearing a T-Shirt

Tuberculosis Prevention and Control

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be an issue in Toronto. Screening for TB can be accessed via a primary care provider. A family doctor or nurse practitioner can review TB prevention, testing, and treatment, and can refer patients to Toronto TB clinics.

 The Ministry of Health has a program called TB-UP, Treatment Services for Uninsured Person Program. This program covers diagnostic tests and physician care for uninsured people. Diagnostic tests can include chest x-rays, sputum, TB skin tests, and other laboratory tests. This program is eligible for people without OHIP, who are:

  • patients with suspected or confirmed active TB; even if the final diagnosis is not TB, the work-up is still covered; or

  • patients who are/were in contact with a person with active TB; or

  • patients at high risk of developing active TB as determined by the board of health.

People who are eligible for this program:

  • homeless/underhoused individuals who do not have OHIP, Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) or other health insurance coverage

  • international students without OHIP, IFHP or private health insurance coverage

  • visitors without health insurance coverage

  • people without immigration status

  • people recently discharged from prison who are not currently eligible for OHIP

Side portrait of a young man with a short haircut smiling

Dental Services

Dental services are mostly available for a fee; however, there are some low-cost or free options available in Toronto.

  • There are some Community Health Centres (CHCs) that have low-cost or free dental clinics available. People registered with a local CHC can talk with their primary care provider or call the CHC directly for more information. If they are not registered, they can call their local CHC and ask if they have a dental clinic available to the public or non-registered clients.

    Here is a list of dental services offered by CHCs, non-profit organizations, universities and colleges in Toronto that are available to anyone regardless of immigration status. NOTE: The eligibility criteria may be different for each service.

    https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/dental-and-oral-health-services/low-cost-dental-facilities/

  • Evangel Hall is a community agency that also offers dental services to low-income individuals regardless of status.

    To access their services, your clients must:

    • be living at or below Statistics Canada's defined Low Income Cut-Off (click here to see what the cut-off is for this year),

    • not have coverage under an insurance plan,

    • be able to get to the Dental Clinic at 552 Adelaide Street West,

    • be able to provide proof of income. If someone does not have proof of filing taxes (i.e. Notice of Assessment), a service provider can provide a support letter that confirms their income and overall situation.

  • Evergreen Centre for Street Youth is a non-profit organization that offers healthcare and dental services for homeless and street-involved youth who are 16 to 24 years of age. All services are free and confidential, and you do not require OHIP.

  • Toronto Public Health dental clinics are also available to low-income individuals and anyone regardless of status, this includes children younger than 18 years old and senior citizens over the age of 65. Mobile dental clinics run by Toronto Public Health may also be available. Check the link above for further information.

    Adults accessing care will require proof of income in order to access these services. If people do not have proof of filing taxes (i.e. Notice of Assessment), as a service provider, you can provide a support letter that confirms their income and overall situation.

  • If someone is receiving financial assistance from Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), they can ask their case worker about local dental services available to them.

Harm Reduction Programs

  • Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with the criminalization of drug use. Rather than requiring people to stop using drugs, a harm reduction approach is low-barrier and focuses on improving public health and safety and reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with drug use.

  • Harm reduction services include community-based programming for people who use drugs and access to safer consumption services. These sites are called by different names including safe consumption sites, consumption and treatment services, etc. but describe spaces where people can use drugs without the threat of criminalization, under the supervision of qualified staff.

  • Across the GTA, several services are offered to people who use drugs, with harm reduction and public health approach to care.

    Many harm reduction services include the distribution and return of sterile equipment (needles, pipes, water, etc). It is important to note harm reduction services are confidential and do not require people to have identification or healthcare coverage (including OHIP) in order to access services. Most people use the service anonymously, so not even a name is necessary when accessing services.

    The only time people might need healthcare coverage is if they are accessing treatment (opioid medications, rehabilitation, or seeing an addictions counselor in an agency that requires coverage).

    For more information regarding harm reduction in Toronto, check out https://harmreductionto.ca/

An elderly person out of focus holding a pair of reading glasses.

Optometrist (Eye Care)

The “Gift of Sight” (or OneSight) program is offered by LensCrafters and provides free eyeglasses and eye exams to people who are low-income, including uninsured people.

To access this program, a registered charity or an organization with a charitable registration number must write a letter requesting free eyeglasses and/or an eye exam for a specific client. The letter must include the client’s name and date of birth. Once clients have this letter, they can call or visit their nearest LensCrafters location requesting to book an appointment under the OneSight program.

If someone is receiving financial assistance from Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), they can ask their case worker about eye care services available to them.

A nurse wearing a face mask applying a band-aid on the right arm of a woman patient who is wearing a face mask.

Immunization

There are Community Health Centres (CHCs) that provide services to people and families without immigration status. If registered with a CHC, they can speak with their primary care provider regarding vaccines. 

Toronto Public Health also offers free vaccine clinics for adults and children that need vaccines for school. If you do not have OHIP, make an appointment at one of their clinics.

Accessing Emergency Healthcare

  • From March 2020 to March 31, 2023, uninsured people did not have to pay in order to seek essential medical care in hospitals, including going to the emergency department. As of April 1, 2023, the provincial government unfairly cut this vital program.

    This means that people without valid OHIP cards might now have to pay in order to access care in hospitals, including going to the emergency department. The fees that hospitals charge vary, with each hospital charging different amounts.

    Some hospitals are asking people who are uninsured to pay fees for care upfront, even before any care is provided. This is an unethical and dangerous practice as the financial barrier prevents many people from being able to access any care at all. The Ministry of Health only requires hospitals to record the following information for people without OHIP in order to seek care: name, gender, and date of birth or age.

    Some hospitals will present a bill to people after the care is provided. This approach is preferable because it ensures that people get the healthcare they need first. Read below to learn more about what you can do if an uninsured person receives a bill.

  • The Ministry of Health only requires hospitals to record the following information: patient name, gender, and age. This means uninsured people should be able to access services without ID or identification.

  • With the cuts to uninsured funding for hospital care (starting April 1, 2023), uninsured people might receive bills from the hospital when they seek care. The fees people are asked to pay will include physician and hospital fees and vary from hospital to hospital.

    Here are some tips on how to respond to these bills:

    1. If an uninsured person is registered with a Community Health Centre (CHC) for primary care, the physician fees may be covered by the CHC. In most cases, the uninsured person will need a letter from the CHC indicating they are a patient with the centre in order to not receive a bill from the hospital doctor. The hospital fee is not covered, even for uninsured people registered at CHCs, and might be asked to pay out-of-pocket.

    2. If the uninsured person chooses to pay out-of-pocket, they or their advocates can contact the hospital business office to:

      1. Negotiate to be billed under OHIP rates instead of non-resident rates, which are often triple the amount;

      2. Arrange to pay back a manageable amount each month (i.e. $5 or $10 a month).

    3. Ideally, the uninsured person would have only provided their name, gender and age when they went to the hospital, or have provided alternate or false contact information. We have heard that this is a way uninsured people have avoided receiving hospital bills after they receive care. In some cases, uninsured people have simply ignored the bill because of the minimal risk involved with not paying.

Portrait of a woman wearing glasses looking off into the distance.
Portrait of a woman wearing a hijab (Islamic head scarf) looking off into the distance.

Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic violence (DV) are forms of gender-based violence.  They refer to abuse or aggression that causes harm by a current or former intimate partner or spouse, immediate family members, other relatives, people someone lives with, or family friends.  

If someone is experiencing imminent danger or their life is at risk, advise them to call 911 immediately. In most cases, a police officer will go to them wherever they are, assess the risk and bring them to a place of safety such as a shelter or a hospital. 

It is important to know that the police in some instances can and do contact immigration authorities to verify someone's legal status. As a service provider, following up with the client to ensure they have not been detained would be best practice.

If someone is experiencing violence and their life is not at imminent risk, there are organizations that can help them regardless of their immigration status. Below are some free and confidential services and supports with trained counselors to help individuals experiencing violence:

  • Assaulted Women’s Helpline: a 24-hour crisis line and services available in more than 150 languages, 24 hours/7 days a week. Services include counseling, housing and shelter referrals.

    • 416-863-0511 (in Toronto)

    • 1-866-863-0511 (toll free)

    • 1-866-863-7868 (TTY line)

    • To access services exclusively in French in the community, contact: La Maison D’Hébergement pour Femmes Francophone at 647-777-6433 or Oasis Centre des Femmes at 416-591-6565.

  • Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic: Counseling, legal help and interpretation, information and referral services for women survivors of violence.   

    • 416-323-9149 (Toronto)

  • Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: A National referral directory to connect victims and survivors of forced sex work or forced labour to emergency, transitional and long-term services.

    • 1-833-900-1010

  • Central Intake 24/7 Shelter Line: To access emergency shelter space, call the City of Toronto’s Central Intake line at 416-338-4766 or 1-877-338-3398 (no website, only a phone line). There are also specific shelters for survivors of domestic violence and these can be accessed by calling the Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 416-863-0511 or 1-866-863-0511.

  • Toronto Rape Crisis Centre / Multicultural Women Against Rape: A grassroots feminist organization, providing crisis intervention and culturally sensitive counselling.

    • 416-597-8808 (Toronto)

  • Women’s College Hospital - The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre: a comprehensive service that assists women, men, and trans people, over the age of 14 who are victims/survivors of sexual assault and domestic/intimate partner violence. For more information call 416-323-6040.

Side portrait of a young woman standing in front of a blue background.

Mental Health Resources

Mental health is a state of well-being, including our emotional, psychological, social and spiritual selves, that affects how we think, feel, and act. If someone has poor mental health, they may benefit from accessing professional crisis or ongoing counseling and/or distress services. Here is a list of free services that are mostly accessible to anyone regardless of immigration status.

Emergency and Crisis Options

  • Gerstein Centre Crisis Line
    https://gersteincentre.org/
    24-hour crisis phone line
    416-929-5200

  • Distress Centres of Greater Toronto
    https://www.dcogt.com/
    24-hour crisis phone lines
    416-408-4357 (GTA)
    905-459-7777 (Peel)

    Online Chat and Text support (4 pm to 12 midnight daily)
    Dial 45645

  • Family Service Toronto
    https://familyservicetoronto.org
    416-595-9618
    Weekdays 9am - 6pm
    Single session telephone counselling
    Eligibility: Adults 18 years old and up


    WoodGreen
    https://www.woodgreen.org/programs/walk-in-counselling-wic
    416-645-6000 ext. 1990
    Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4:30pm - 8:30pm
    Single session online or phone Eligibility: Adults 16+ years old


    Wellness Together
    www.wellnesstogether.ca
    Online support resources
    24-hour phone counselling line
    1-866-585-0445

  • Kids Help Phone
    https://kidshelpphone.ca/
    1-800-668-6868
    24-hour crisis phone line
    Text crisis support
    Text CONNECT to 686868


    What’s up Walk-in
    https://www.whatsupwalkin.ca/
    1-866-585-6486
    Monday to Friday 9am - 7pm
    Saturday 10am - 4pm
    Same day virtual or phone counselling for children, youth, and young adults up to age 29


    Stella’s Place
    https://stellasplace.ca/
    416-461-2345
    connect@stellasplace.ca
    Free mental health services for youth aged 16 to 29 living in Toronto (with M postal code)
    Includes same-day drop-in programs accessible through chat, phone and online

    Friends of Ruby
    https://www.friendsofruby.ca/
    416-359-0237
    489 Queen Street East (Lower Level LL01)
    Free counselling, drop-in and other services for 2SLGBTQIA+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and gender non-conforming) youth aged 16-29

Long-Term Counselling Options

  • Community Health Centres (CHCs) offer free counselling and social work services to registered patients. CHCs can also connect patients with other community mental health resources and psychiatrist support. Getting registered at a CHC is likely the best way to get connected to community mental health support (see info in the primary care section). There may be a waitlist for services.

  • Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT)
    https://ccvt.org/
    416-363-1066
    Mental health counselling and support for survivors of torture, maltreatment and war.

    Mennonite New Life Centre
    https://mnlct.org/
    416-699-4527
    Community mental health program for newcomers in Toronto, including counselling and group programs. English, Arabic, Farsi, Spanish and Turkish counselling services available.

    Across Boundaries
    https://www.acrossboundaries.ca/
    416-787-3007
    51 Clarkson Ave.
    info@acrossboundaries.ca
    Mental health and addiction services for residents of the GTA who identify as racialized. OHIP is not required. Can self-refer.

    Oasis Dufferin Community Centre
    https://www.oasisdufferin.org/counselling-for-spanish-women
    416-536-4431
    info@oasisdufferin.org
    Provide individual counselling for Spanish speaking women with the goal of improvement in psycho-social health and well-being.

  • Bounce Back
    https://bouncebackontario.ca/
    Free guided self-help skill-building program managed by CMHA.
    Help for adults and youth 15+ dealing with anxiety, depression or stress. Delivered through online videos and over the phone with a coach. English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi and Spanish available.
    *No OHIP necessary but do need a primary care provider to access phone coaching (online videos are available to everyone).

    Mind Beacon
    https://www.mindbeacon.com
    Guided CBT program includes readings and exercises and secure messaging with a therapist. No live sessions.
    French and English
    Free for all Ontario Residents

Palliative Care

What is palliative care?

Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life for people with serious, life-threatening illnesses, including cancer, lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, and many others. It is provided by nurses, doctors, social workers, personal support workers and other healthcare workers. Click here to learn more about palliative care.

  • In a hospital: while admitted, people may be visited by a palliative care team, which works with other specialties to help with symptom management and care planning.

    At a clinic: people who are still able to get to in-person appointments may be followed in palliative care clinics, which are usually run outside of hospitals.

    In your home or community: for those who cannot get to appointments, palliative care can also be provided where people live (home, long-term care, shelters, etc).

    At a palliative care unit/hospice: for people who need 24 hour care in the last weeks or months of their lives, hospices and palliative care units provide comfort-focused medical care. Palliative care units are sometimes inside hospitals, but are usually in a separate, more peaceful area. Click here to learn more about palliative care units and hospices.

  • In a hospital (not in the palliative care unit): hospitals determine the cost of this care on a case-by-case basis.

    At a clinic: some palliative care clinics may be available at low or no cost, on a case-by-case basis.

    In your home: some palliative home care teams provide doctor services at no cost. Other services, like nursing care or personal support worker care, are usually available at an added cost. A case manager may be available at no cost and can help navigate these services. Medications and supplies are not covered and are paid for out of pocket. Some home care teams may find ways to decrease these costs.

    At a palliative care unit/hospice    : some palliative care units and hospices care for people at low or no cost, usually on a case-by-case basis. Medications and supplies would likely be low or no cost.

What specific options are available at low or no cost if uninsured?

Low or no-cost services are available from these organizations on a case-by-case basis:

Need more information?

The palliative care system can be confusing. If you have questions, or need help navigating the system, please reach out to your healthcare providers or contact us at uninsurednetwork@gmail.com and we will do our best to assist you.

Do you have questions about access to healthcare that aren’t answered here?

Email Us