Health

We can help with your concerns about health care coverage, drug funding and the Ontario government bodies that are responsible for health and long-term care. Our services are confidential and free.

Please note, we are not the Ombudsman for hospitals or patient care.

Contact the Patient Ombudsman if you have a complaint about:

A hospital
A long-term care home
Direct patient services
Professional, personal support, or homemaking services provided through Ontario Health atHome

We can help you with things like:

Getting or renewing Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage
Drug and medication funding
Assistive devices and medical supplies, like ventilators or ostomy supplies
Assessments and coverage for gender-affirming surgery
Information about long-term care inspections

You can complain to us about:

Ministry of Health
Ministry of Long-Term Care
Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
Ontario Health at Home (formerly Home and Community Care Support Services)
Assistive Devices Program
Exceptional Access Program
Ontario Drug Benefit Program
Ontario Health Professions Appeal and Review Board
Ontario Services Appeal and Review Board
Northern Health Travel Grant
Trillium Drug Program

Make a complaint

There are some things we can’t do. We can’t take complaints about:

Health care professionals (like doctors, nurses and dentists)
Hospitals and long-term care homes (contact the Patient Ombudsman)
Public health units

If we can’t help, we’ll tell you who can.

Still have questions?

See the full list of organizations you can complain about
Read our Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us with your questions

How we’ve helped

Discover how our team has helped people deal with their concerns about health care issues in Ontario:

Service for a smile

A woman whose daughter had to have an emergency root canal procedure – at a cost of $700 – sought our help in obtaining coverage through Healthy Smiles Ontario, a provincial program that covers dental care for eligible children and youth who are 17 and under.

Two people, older and younger, clasping hands

Action reaction

A woman reached out to us after contacting the Ministry of Long-Term Care’s Action Line with concerns about her mother’s death in a long-term care home.

An adult sitting on a couch with a phone to their ear.

Insured in time

A cancer patient who had appealed OHIP’s decision to deny him coverage complained to us when he did not receive a response within the Ministry of Health’s posted deadline.

Still have questions?

How we’ve helped

Service for a smile

Action reaction

Insured in time

Ready to make a complaint?

Learn more about our work in this area