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CIRCULAR NOTE 2008/3 (May 5, 2009)
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TO: ALL DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIVES IN ONTARIO
Subject: Health Care for Diplomats In Ontario
The Office of International Relations and Protocol has received a number of enquiries from the diplomatic and consular corps regarding access to health care facilities in the province. Many have expressed frustration that they do not enjoy the benefits of the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and, in the absence thereof, occasionally have difficulty finding physicians who will accept cash payment. The purpose of this document is to clarify the services available to all foreign government and international agency representatives In Ontario and to provide guidance on how these resources may be identified.
In a July 1, 1991 Ontario Ministry of Health ruling, foreign diplomatic, International agency and consular personnel and their dependents ceased to be considered as a class of eligible persons for OHIP coverage. Since then, foreign government representatives have been considered as "non-residents" for the purpose of health insurance, services and hospitalization. As a result, direct payment for such services has been required. Enquiries at the Ontario Ministry of Health reveal that it is regrettably not possible to introduce a payment system in the province as some have suggested.
Members of the diplomatic and consular corps, international agencies, and their dependents are required, as a result, to make arrangements for private health insurance or to negotiate mechanisms with their respective home government for medical expense coverage.
A related concern is that some foreign government representatives who have been willing to pay for medical assistance have had difficulty locating family doctors, general practitioners or specialists.
Accordingly, the Office of International Relations and Protocol has prepared the attached guide for identifying a physician (see "Doctor Search" websites). Also attached is a sample list of private medical clinics that accept walk-in patients, as well as information on medical assistance for children; and sample sources of private health insurance (Note: the lists are not exhaustive and may be expanded as additional providers are identified).
Medical Information for Diplomats Serving in Ontario
Any comments or remarks regarding the content of this document are greatly appreciated
Doctor Search:
To conduct a doctor search, the following website: The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario provides information about family physicians, including their practice addresses, telephone numbers, qualifications and whether they are accepting new patients.
Ministry of Health, Government of Ontario:
Use this website to explore the different health care choices available in various communities, including walk-in and after hours clinics Web: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care click on "Your Health Care Options" and on "Medical Services Directory"
If the situation is not an emergency and only health advice or general health informatlon from a Registered Nurse is required, one may wish to contact Telehealth Ontario - 1-866-797- 0000. Free Access to a Registered Nurse - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
One does not need to provide a health insurance number and all information is confidential.
This number will provide easy access to a qualified health professional, who can assess symptoms and help with deciding a best, first step.
The Telehealth Ontario service is provided in English and French, with translation support for other languages and a direct TTY number for those with hearing and speech difficulties. Callers can also be connected to medication information and health information audio tapes.
A call to Telehealth Ontario does not replace 911 - that is always the first number one should call in emergency situations.
Find Private Clinics:
The following website Find Private Clinics provides lists of privata clinics in Canada.
The following guidelines may be helpful in understanding how the Ontario system works:
- all patients must generally be referred to specialists by a general practitioner;
- all doctors have the ability to accept pay-for-service patients;
- all doctors have the right to refuse new patients who do not have OHIP coverage;
- OHIP has no jurisdiction over the fees charged to patients not covered by the health plan;
- in emergency situations (eg. car accident, heart attack, stroke, etc.) hospitals cannot refuse medical assistance to non-OHIP patients.
We trust this information may be of assistance to diplomats who have faced challenges identifying health care services.
Original signed by:
L. Richard Kohler
Assistant Deputy Minister, International Relations and Chief of Protocol
Government of Ontario
Sampling of Private Medical Walk-In Clinics in Toronto
Albany Medical Clinic - one location only
200 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, ON M4K 1N5
Tel. 416-461-9471
Web: Albany Medical Clinic
- Open 365 days a year
- Accept cash, credit and debit cards
- Will make referrals to specialists.
Bathurst Walk-in Clinic and Family Practice
4430 Bathurst Street
North York, ON M3H 3S3
Tel. 416-633-3629
- Open 7 days a week
- Cash only
- will make referrals to specialists
- Walk-in only
- Full service clinic.
Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostic
790 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M5G 1N8
Tel. 416-929-1900
Web: Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostic
- Accept cash, credit and debit cards
- Will make referrals to specialists
- Clients may use walk-in services indefinitely
- All clients may make an appt to see the clinic on-call doctor, rather than walking in and waiting
- Full service clinic including dental, physiotherapy, optometrist and X-Ray.
Cleveland Clinic Canada
Toronto Health and Wellness Centre
Brookfield Place, Suite 3000
181 Bay Street, Box 81B
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3
Tel. 416-507-6600
1-888-507-6885 (toll-free)
Fax 416-507-6610
Web: Cleveland Clinic Canada
The clinic, located in downtown Toronto, is a medical and health & wellness facility providing care based on three strategic pillars: clinical excellence, prevention and service. The Clinic offers a personalized international health program for diplomats and their dependents (over the age of 18) that can include a physician consultation for annual health examinations, blood work, radiology services, travel immunizations & medications, and diagnosis and follow-up care for minor illnesses. Other programs at the Center include: comprehensive executive physicals, lifestyle management and wellness & rehabilitation. For additional information please see attached summary document
MCI The Doctor's Office (Medical Clinics Inc.)
Multiple locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area
Web: The Doctor's Office
This website provides links to 23 Greater Toronto Area walk-in clinics including:
- The Doctor's Office
2251 Lawrence Avenue East
Scarborough ON M1P 2P5
Tel. 416-759-5251 - The Doctor's Office
6435 Erin Mills Parkway
Mississauga ON L5N 3P3
Tel. 905-821-1406 - The Doctor's Office
500 Sheppard Avenue East
Willowdale ON M2N 6H7
Tel. 416-222-4000
- All locations accept cash
- Some locations accept credit cards
- Will make referrals to specialists
- Clients may use walk-in services indefinitely.
Mississauga Wellness
5030 Tenth Line
(Winston Churchill Blvd and Eglinton Ave)
Mississauga ON L5M 7Z5
Tel. 905-607-0700
- Accept cash and credit
- Will make referrals to specialists
- Traditional and naturopathic medicine.
One Care Medical Clinic
1755 Brimley Road
Scarborough ON M1P OA3
Tel. 416-290-0361
Web: Medical Clinic One Care
- Cash only
- Will make referrals to specialists
- No appointments for family doctor, only walk-In services
- Specialists available by appointment
- Also offer pediatrics, cardiology, and rehabilitation services.
Regal Health Services
123 Edward St. Suite 1106
Toronto, ON M5G 1E2
Tel. 416-340-0700
Web: Regal Health Services
- Accept cash, debit, and credit
- Will make referrals to specialists
- For a yearly fee clients are entitled to various health and lifestyle services
- All clients may make an appointment to see a physician, rather than walking in and waiting
- Full service clinic including EKG testing, visual assessment and physiotherapy.
Wellpoint Health Services
1240 Bay St.
Toronto, ON M5R 2A7
Tel. 416-969-3269
Web: Wellpoint Health Services
- Accept cash, debit, and credit
- Will make referrals to specialists
- For a yearly fee clients are entitled to various health and lifestyle services
- All clients may make an appointment to see a physician, rather than walking in and waiting
- Full service clinic including cardiac health risk assessment, physiotherapy and X-Ray.
Medical Assistance in the City of Ottawa
Sampling of Private Medical Walk-in Clinics
Apple Tree Medical Group
Downtown Ottawa Locations:
225 Preston Street
Tel: 613-731-0497
368 Slater Street
Tel: 613-731-0497
Kanata Locations:
150 Katimavik Road
Tel: 613-592-1539
Ottawa West Locations:
2573 Baseline Road
Tel: 613-731-0497
*At Greenbank
2948 Baseline Road
Tel: 613-731-0497
1296 Carling Ave
Tel: 613-731-0497
1309 Carling Ave
Tel: 613-731-0497
3001 Carling Ave
Tel: 613-731-0497
1580 Merivale Road
Tel: 613-731-0497
Ottawa East Locations:
Shoppers City East
Tel: 613-731-0497
Ottawa South Locations:
1582 Bank Street
Tel: 613-731-0497
(near Heron)
Accepts Credit Cards (Visa - Master Card), Debit Cards and Cash for out of Province (Ontario) and non OHIP clients.
Consultations for walk-in for a General Physician cost $60.00.
Dental consultations are available; the charges however are variable.
All Appletree Clinics may be reached through one central Telephone Number: 613-731-0497
Website: Appletree Medical Group
This site provides wait times for Specialists and Dental Consultations for each location as well as for MRI service.
Accident Injury Management (Aim) Health Group
Ottawa East Locations:
16 Green Street, Barrhaven
Tel: 613-825-9799
Accepts Credit Cards (Visa - Master Card), and Cash for out of Province (Ontario) and non OHIP clients.
Cash only and the Cost for a Consultation for non OHIP Clients is $50.00.
Carlingwood Shopping Centre
2121 Carling Ave
Tel: 613-761-6898
Does not accept Credit Cards and Debit Cards. Cash only and the Cost for a Consultation for non OHIP Clients is $60.00.
Gateway Plaza at March Road
4048 Carling Ave, Kanata
Tel: 613-254-9777
Accepts Credit Cards: Visa and Master Card and Cash for out of Province (Ontario) and non OHIP
*New Active Care Establishment opening in Rothwell Heights.
Note: Active Care Medical Group does not have a web page.
Other Walk-in Clinics in the Greater Ottawa - Area:
Medical Care Clinics
Unit 100-1385 Bank Street
Tel: 613-523-7440
(Near Billings Bridge)
Accepts Credit Cards: Visa and Master Card and Cash for out of Province (Ontario) and non OHIP Clients. Consultations $75.00.
Southbank Medical Centre
Unit 3-2430 Bank Street
Tel: 613-736-6946
Does not accept Credit Cards and Debit Cards. Cash only and the Cost for a Consultation for non OHIP Clients is $60.00.
The following web sites are noteworthy. Appletree Medical Group
Intraspec.ca - City of Ottawa Walk-In Clinics
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
The following Walk-in Clinics do not accept Patients other than OHIP Members.
Carlingwood Family Medical
Centre 348 Woodroffe Ave
Tel: 613-728-4640
College Square Medical Centre
1980 Baseline Road
Tel: 613-224-6606
Strandherd Crossing Medical Centre
Unit 305 3161 Strandherd
Tel: 613-823-7766
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