The Financial Barriers to Accessing Healthcare for Newcomers in Ontario

Overview

Navigating the Ontario healthcare system can often be confusing and costly for newcomers, immigrants, and marginalized communities who are unfamiliar with the system. Despite Canada's reputation for providing publicly funded healthcare, financial challenges still hinder many individuals from receiving the care they need.

How Payment Works

Ontario residents' healthcare is covered by a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), which pays for most hospital and doctor visits. However, OHIP excludes many individuals, such as:

  • International students
  • New permanent residents during the three-month waiting period
  • Refugees

In such cases, individuals may rely on private insurance, which is often associated with employment, or purchased independently, which is not always financially accessible.

Healthcare Settings

  • Hospitals: Covered by OHIP for eligible residents.
  • Walk-in Clinics: Coverage varies. Some accept OHIP, while others charge privately.
  • Private Clinics: Services like therapy or dentistry require private insurance or personal payment.

Why Financial Barriers Matter

For newcomers, the Canadian healthcare system likely differs significantly from their countries of origin. With limited resources outlining how to navigate the system, there is increasing uncertainty and confusion regarding potential healthcare costs.

Key Challenges
  • Language barriers
  • Transportation
  • Cultural beliefs regarding healthcare

Additional Challenges

Shame, discrimination, or assumptions that immigrants, refugees, international students, etc., do not deserve care further discourages marginalized groups from seeking care. Additionally, low health literacy—the ability to access, understand, and use health information—amplifies these challenges.

What Needs to Change

Addressing financial barriers requires better health literacy education, culturally sensitive resources, and systems that prioritize equity. Navigating healthcare should not come at the cost of one's well-being or become an additional source of stress.

References

  1. Closing the Gap Healthcare. (2018, May 30). Healthcare in Ontario: How does it work and how is it funded? https://www.closingthegap.ca/healthcare-in-ontario-how-does-it-work-and-how-is-it-funded/
  2. Khandor, E., McDonald, J. T., Hwang, S. W., & Muntaner, C. (2011). Access to primary health care among homeless adults in Toronto, Canada: Results from the Street Health survey. Open Medicine, 5(2), e94–e103. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3762743/
  3. World Health Organization. (2023). Health literacy. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-literacy