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Reach · Handout

Finding low-cost care: Canada.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Australia.

Moraph for Good · Reach

Finding low-cost care: Canada

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/finding-low-cost-care

This sheet lists the kinds of low-cost care that exist, how to ask about price, and the official places to look where you live. It is general information, not medical advice.

Where to look

  • Community health centers and free clinics.
  • Clinics with sliding-scale or reduced fees.
  • Pharmacists and free health advice lines.
  • Public programs for people on low incomes.

Ask on the phone

  • Are you seeing new patients?
  • What does a visit cost, and is there a reduced fee?
  • What should I bring?
  • Can I have an interpreter?

Bring with you

  • Any ID or health card you have.
  • Proof of income, if they use a sliding scale.
  • A list of the medicines you take.

If it can’t wait

  • If it might be an emergency, call the emergency number first.
  • If you’re not sure where to go, call the free advice line below.

In Canada

  • Walk-in clinics. Anyone who doesn’t have a family doctor can go to a walk-in clinic for non-urgent care. A walk-in clinic might charge fees if you don’t live in that province or territory.
  • Emergencies. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital. Emergency medical services in hospitals are free, even if you don’t have a health card, though there may be restrictions depending on immigration status.
  • Community health centres. In Ontario, Community Health Centres are non-profit organizations that provide primary care with a focus on people who face barriers to care, including people who don’t have health insurance.
  • Health advice lines. Some provinces run health advice lines. In British Columbia, for example, HealthLink BC on 8-1-1 offers health advice and can connect you to a health professional, with translation in many languages.
  • Dental care. The Canadian Dental Care Plan helps make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents. To qualify you must, among other things, have no access to dental insurance, have filed a tax return in Canada and have a family income under the plan’s limit. There is no fee to apply.

Official places to check:

  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/health-care/find-doctors.html
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/health-care/universal-system.html
  • Government of Ontario: www.ontario.ca/page/community-health-centres
  • Government of British Columbia (HealthLink BC): www.healthlinkbc.ca
  • Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html
  • Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/qualify.html

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 19 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/finding-low-cost-care