Guide for international students · September 2026
Studying in Ontario without OHIP? Most universities and colleges automatically enrol international students in a mandatory health plan. Here's generally what that means — and what to do when you're sick and the campus clinic is closed.
Key facts at a glance
Almost every international student runs into the same surprise: having mandatory health insurance doesn't mean you have a family doctor, and it doesn't shorten the wait when your campus health centre is booked out or closed for the evening. Insurance pays the bill after you've been seen — it doesn't get you seen. Some clinics bill your insurer directly; many don't, which means paying upfront and claiming the receipt back afterward.
So the practical question when you're sick isn't just "am I covered?" — it's "who can actually see me today?"
Because plans, administrators, portals and claim processes differ by institution and change from year to year, the most reliable source is always your own school. Your international student office or student portal can tell you: the exact name of your plan, how much it costs this policy year, where to download your coverage card, which local clinics bill your insurer directly, and how to submit a claim for a visit you paid for yourself.
Where Doctor Fran fits. A physician licensed in Ontario and registered with the CPSO calls you by phone, typically the same day, for a flat $82 — evenings, weekends and holidays included. No OHIP, no health card, no referral. You get an itemized receipt to submit to your student insurance. If your concern needs a hands-on exam, the physician will refer you to a walk-in clinic near you. Download the app.
No. OHIP is only one way of paying for care in Ontario. With Doctor Fran you pay for the consultation directly in the app, and a physician licensed in Ontario calls you — no health card required.
Many plans reimburse eligible phone or video visits with an Ontario-licensed physician, but terms vary by school and plan. Submit your Doctor Fran receipt and check with your plan directly.
Sick notes and medical forms are uninsured services in Ontario, so the cost is generally out of pocket no matter what insurance you hold. A physician can issue one after a phone assessment where clinically appropriate — see our guide to doctor's notes in Ontario.
Campus health centres are typically weekday-only. For a phone-solvable problem outside those hours, telemedicine is usually the fastest route to an actual doctor. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
General information only, not insurance or medical advice — every school's plan, coverage and claims process differs and can change each policy year, so confirm current details with your own institution. In an emergency, call 911.
Consultations are a flat $82 and follow-up appointments to review results are $59; a doctor could call in as little as 10 minutes, and you get a receipt for your insurance claim.
Download the appAvailable on iOS & Android · Ontario, Canada only