Primary care refers to routine and ongoing health care services provided by family doctors or nurse practitioners. It is the first point of contact in the health system for most non-emergency health needs. Primary care supports people at all stages of life, helps prevent and treat illness, connects patients to specialists when needed and promotes overall health and well-being.

Health Care Connect is a provincial Ontario program designed to help residents without a family doctor or nurse practitioner find one who is accepting new patients.

To use Health Care Connect, you must:

• Be a resident of Ontario with a valid Ontario health card (OHIP).
• Have an up-to-date mailing address associated with your health card.
• Be in need of a family doctor or nurse practitioner

Health Care Connect is for anyone, with or without a primary care provider who is need of one. You can register if you currently have a family doctor.

You can register:

• Online via the Health Care Connect registration form, or
• By phone by calling 8-1-1, 24/7.

Health Care Connect requires a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card in order to register; your OHIP number is needed to submit your information and be added to the Health Care Connect waitlist. If you do not currently have a valid OHIP card — for example, if you have never applied, your coverage has not yet started, or your card has expired — you will need to apply for or renew your OHIP card before registering with Health Care Connect.

To apply for OHIP or to renew/replace an expired card, visit a ServiceOntario centre and bring the required identification and residency documents. Once you have a valid health card, you can complete your Health Care Connect registration online or by calling 8-1-1.

If you have questions about your eligibility for OHIP, or which documents you need to apply, contact ServiceOntario at 1-866-532-3161 (TTY: 1-800-387-5559) for assistance and guidance.

Yes. If you have a family member, caregiver, or friend helping you, they can register for you with your consent using your health information.

 Once registered, your information will be reviewed by Health Care Connect and local Care Connectors. They will work with primary care providers in the Barrie and Area who are accepting new patients to find the best match for you based on availability and your health care needs.

We understand that in the past it has taken a long time to connect to a primary care provider, however, with new providers in our area, local patients are being attached more quickly. Connection times can vary based on factors such as provider availability, your specific health care needs, and local demand. While the BAOHT and Health Care Connect strive to make connections as quickly as possible, a match is not guaranteed within a set timeframe.

 Yes. People with greater health needs — including chronic conditions or complex health issues — may be prioritized based on Ministry of Health clinical guidelines.

If you find a primary care provider independently, notify Health Care Connect or your Care Connector so your waitlist status can be updated or withdrawn. Keeping registration up to date ensures others in need are prioritized appropriately.

If you’ve already registered and have changes, users have the ability to update contact information/health conditions online via the self serve portal.

Ideally, yes — you should be formally removed from your previous family doctor’s list (de-rostering) before registering. You can contact your former provider directly or call ServiceOntario to update your status. If uncertain, your Care Connector can help guide you.

When registering by phone, you can share preferences such as language or specific care needs. Although preferences cannot always be guaranteed, Health Care Connect will strive to consider them when matching you with a provider.

 If your primary care provider is no longer able to care for you, contact 8-1-1 to confirm your de-rostering status and register (or re-register) with Health Care Connect. Your Care Connector will support you in finding a new provider.

If you require medical care before being connected to a family doctor or nurse practitioner:

• Visit a walk-in clinic or an urgent care centre as appropriate.
• Call 8-1-1 for advice from a registered nurse.
• For emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.
• Check out baoht.ca/guide to find care if you don’t have a primary care provider.

For questions about Health Care Connect:

• Call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-800-855-0511).