Health Care Connect is a free Ontario government program through the Ministry of Health that helps connect people who do not have a primary care provider with a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or health care team.
If you do not currently have a primary care provider, or if your existing provider is not in the area, you can register with Health Care Connect by following the steps below. You can keep accessing care at your existing provider until you are connected to a new provider.
How to sign up
Register with Health Care Connect to be matched with a family doctor or nurse practitioner accepting new patients in your area.
- Apply online anytime: Health Care Connect Registration
- Call 811: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Who can use Health Care Connect?
To register, you must:
- Have a valid Ontario health card
- Have a current mailing address linked to your health card
What you need
Before you register, have the following information ready:
- Your name and address
- Your Ontario health card number
- Basic health information
You can register for yourself, your family, or someone else with their permission.
What happens next
Once you register:
- A Care Connector reviews your request.
- They look for a family doctor or nurse practitioner accepting patients near you.
- You will be contacted if a match is found.
- While you wait, you may be connected to other local health services and supports.
Good to know
- When signing up, residents can request a specific doctor, clinic, or location. Residents may also request a provider who speaks their preferred language. Please note that these requests can take longer to fulfill.
- You can keep accessing care at your existing provider until you are connected to a new provider.
- Finding a match may take time.
- People with urgent health needs are prioritized.
- If you decline a provider match, you must register again to continue your search for a provider.