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Health insurance and care for your family

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) provides residents of Ontario with free basic health care services (generally excluding dental services) that are medically necessary. Services covered include visits to a family doctor, specialists, and hospital stays.

To obtain a health card for the first time, apply in person at one of the two ServiceOntario locations in Kingston, or . Children do not need to be present to apply.

Questions? Contact the Service Ontario’s INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 TTY 1-800-387-5559 from 8:30am - 5:00pm.

Newcomers to Canada

÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ coverage through UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan)

Prior to the pandemic, newcomers to Canada were required to wait three months before the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage started. **At present, there is for OHIP coverage.

Should there be any exceptional circumstances regarding your eligibility, you and your dependants can sign up for interim coverage with the . You will need to make an appointment to visit the Human Resources department to enroll in UHIP. This must be done within 30 days of your arrival in Kingston, or a $500 fine will apply. There is a cost to the UHIP coverage so make sure you ask the HR Client Service team about the fees and coverage.

Former residents of Ontario returning after a long-term absence

If you are a former resident of Ontario and you have been out of the Province for more than 212 days in any 12-month period, you may have to reapply for OHIP at a specialized ServiceOntario Centre that provides the full suite of health card services. Contact the ServiceOntario information line at 1-866-532-3161 TTY 1-800-387-5559 from 8:30am - 5:00pm for details on your specific case or check the .

Moving to Ontario from another part of Canada?

If you have a valid health card from your former province's or territory's health insurance, you will be covered under it for up to three months until you can obtain coverage from OHIP. As soon as possible after your move to Ontario, apply for an OHIP card. Please see the top of this page for instructions on how to apply. If you need medical services while you are waiting for your OHIP card to be processed, bring your health insurance card from your former province. In some cases, you may have to pay for the service and claim reimbursement from your former Province of residence.

Supplementary health benefits

÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ and the Human Resources Department provides extensive information on supplementary health and dental coverage available to university employees.

Looking for a primary care provider?

Register with Ontario’s Health Care Connect to be connected with a provider accepting new people.  is a service that can help you find a family doctor who is accepting new patients. There is often a shortage of family doctors in our area so finding one who is accepting new patients can be challenging. You can also call to talk to a registered nurse - day or night – for free health advice. You need a valid OHIP card to use the service.

To learn more, visit  or call 1-800-445-1822.

Accessing health services for you and your family

Kingston offers a to take care of urgent, minor, non-life threatening medical problems. You can also get your prescription renewed at a walk-in clinic. Please follow the link for locations and hours. No appointment is necessary, and fees are covered if you are covered under OHIP or UHIP. If you are covered under UHIP, you may need to pay for the service upfront and then claim reimbursement from UHIP.

provides a range of culturally safe primary care services for people who identify as Indigenous as well as their families with a special focus on people at risk for and living with chronic diseases as well as people living with mental health conditions and or/addictions. All services are status blind. There are two primary care team office locations: 45 Meadow Drive, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and 730 Front Road in Kingston.

The is located at 41 King Street West for more urgent care. It is open 24/7, 365 days a year. They handle various illnesses and injuries requiring immediate medical attention. When you first arrive, you will be assessed and triaged to determine who needs to see the doctor urgently.

The is located at 166 Brock Street. It opens daily at 8:00 AM (closes at 8:00 PM on weekdays and 4:00 PM on weekends). It is for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries such as cuts needing stitches, sprains, mild to moderate asthma attacks, and minor broken bones.

Care for babies and children unattached to primary care

The Well Baby Clinic is part of Kingston Community Health Centre. Visit their website to find more information on the services they provide and how to book an appointment: .

Urgent care for children is located at the at Hotel Dieu Hospital at 166 Brock St.

Pharmacies and medications

• List of healthcare services a pharmacy provides for those without a family doctor:
• Drug coverage for children (if they have OHIP already)