Government-Funded (OHIP) Physiotherapy
Government-Funded (OHIP) Physiotherapy
The Ontario government funds physiotherapy care in certain situations in your home or at designated Community Physiotherapy Clinics.
If you have questions about Ontario Community Physiotherapy Clinics, you can contact the College’s Patient and Caregiver Help Team at 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241 or email advice@collegept.org.
Community Physiotherapy Clinics
Community Physiotherapy Clinic programs cover physiotherapy for seniors, youth and some other patients. These government-funded clinics help patients recover from illness, surgery or injury.
You do not need a referral to receive care at a Community Physiotherapy Clinic.
Who Is Eligible for Government-Funded Physiotherapy?
With a valid health card:
- Seniors, 65 years or older
- Youth, 19 years or younger
- People of any age after an overnight hospital stay or an outpatient/day surgery procedure (within the last 12 months) for a condition requiring physiotherapy
Health card not required:
- Recipients of the Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
When to Use This Option
Use this option after experiencing:
A recent illness, injury, accident or surgery that led to a decline in function or movement
A flare-up or worsening of symptoms from a previous fall, accident, surgery, or chronic condition that led to a decline in function or movement
Find a government-funded physiotherapy clinic near you:
Ontario Government – About Community Physiotherapy Clinics
Ontario Government – Community Physiotherapy Clinic Locations
If you are not eligible or cannot access Ontario Community Physiotherapy Clinics, there may be other options to access publicly-funded physiotherapy care.
Community Health Centres
Some community health centres in Ontario provide physiotherapy services to people who meet their eligibility criteria.
Family Health Teams
Some family health teams provide physiotherapy services to their patients and others in the community.
Student-Run Clinics
Student-run clinics offer a variety of healthcare services, including physiotherapy.
Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program (AREP)
The Arthritis Society’s AREP provides treatment and education services for adults and children with arthritis. Services are free if you have an Ontario Health Card and a confirmed diagnosis of arthritis.
Aboriginal Health Access Centres
Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs) are Indigenous community-led, primary health care organizations offering traditional healing, primary care, cultural programs, health promotion programs, community development initiatives, and social support services. There are currently ten AHACs in Ontario, providing services in the community, or in urban, rural and northern locations. Contact your local centre to see if they offer physiotherapy.
In-Home Physiotherapy
If you are 65 or older and require physiotherapy in your own residence or in a retirement home, contact Ontario Health atHome:
- 310-2222 (no area code required)
- Find your local Home and Community Care Support Services organization
Find Physiotherapy Care with Ontario Health811
You can also use Health811 to find physiotherapy services. This is a free, secure and confidential service that you can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get health advice from a registered nurse or find health services or information.
Health811: Find a Service
Bundled Care
Bundled care is a provincial funding model that is designed to promote greater integration in healthcare delivery, drive high-quality, efficient care and improve patient outcomes and experience.
If you recently had surgery for a total hip, knee or shoulder replacement, your hospital will connect you with physiotherapy clinics that are participating in bundled care.
After surgery, you can access no cost physiotherapy through these providers that are bundled with your surgeon’s hospital. Contact your hospital’s Patient Care Coordinator or your surgeon’s office for more information.