Ontario has several kinds of primary care clinics, and the names can be confusing. The first thing to know is whether a clinic offers team-based care or not. In every type, your care from a doctor or nurse practitioner is covered by OHIP.
Team-based care
Team-based care happens in a Family Health Team (FHT) or a Community Health Centre (CHC). In these clinics, family doctors and nurse practitioners usually work with other health professionals, such as dietitians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and social workers. These team members add to the care the clinic can offer.
- FHTs are professionally managed, and their teams are funded.
- CHCs are similar, and their teams are funded too. The difference is that all the providers, including the doctors, are paid a salary. This is a smaller share of clinics in Ontario.
Family Health Organizations (FHOs)
Beyond those two, many regular clinics belong to a Family Health Organization (FHO). These clinics pay for their own space and staff from their earnings, and they roster patients. This is the most common type of clinic. What does "rostered" mean?
Some FHOs are spread out, with several separate doctors' offices, sometimes with just one doctor in each. They work together by sharing some of the after-hours care in the evenings and on weekends.
Walk-in and mixed-model clinics
Walk-in clinics see patients who are not rostered to them, either with no appointment or by booking ahead. Some clinics are a mix. They roster some patients and also offer walk-in care.
What to think about as a patient
The most useful question is what supports are available at the clinic. That may matter to you a great deal, so ask before you enroll. Our guide on what to ask when you call has more questions to start with.
What about cost?
Care from a doctor or nurse practitioner is covered by OHIP, and you should not be charged extra for it. The exception is uninsured services, such as writing a sick note or filling out certain forms.
You can find all of these types of clinics through our Find a Family Doctor page.