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, apply in person at the Kingston office of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, 1055 Princess Street, 4th floor.
Questions? Contact the Ministry's INFOline at 1-800-268-1154 TTY 1-800-387-5559 from 8:30am - 5:00pm. For details about eligibility and application forms, visit the OHIP website.

Newcomers to Ontario - Queen's covers you through UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) 

Newcomers to Ontario must wait three months before  the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage starts. The waiting period begins on the date you establish residence in Ontario.  During the waiting period, the university requires you and your dependants to take out interim coverage with the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). Follow the link for enrollment information, forms and fees, and where to go to enroll. You will need to make an appointment to visit the Human Resources department to finalize your UHIP enrollment. This must be done within 30 days of your arrival in Kingston, or a $500 fine will apply.

Former residents of Ontario

If you are a former resident of Ontario and you have been out of the Province for a long period of time, you may also have to wait for three months under certain circumstances - contact the Ministry's information line at 1-800-268-1154 TTY 1-800-387-5559 from 8:30am - 5:00pm for details on your specific case or check the information on the OHIP web site.

Moving to Ontario from another part of Canada?

If you are an eligible resident, your former province's or territory's health insurance will cover you for up to three months until you can obtain coverage from OHIP.

Supplementary health benefits

Queen's Human Resources Department web site provides extensive information on supplementary health and dental coverage available to university employees.

Accessing health services for your family

As everywhere in Canada, family doctors who take new patients can be difficult to find in Kingston. If you have not been able to locate a family physician accepting new patients, please contact the Faculty Recruitment and Support Program.
Kingston offers several walk-in clinicsto 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.

New to Canada? Need to know more about how the health system works?
This comprehensive guide on Canada's health systemwill help you navigate the health system.