Family doctors are the cornerstone of primary care in Ontario, and they provide continuity of care by following your health over time. A family doctor knows your medical history, manages chronic conditions, and coordinates referrals to specialists.
Family doctors operate under different practice models, which affects how patients can access other healthcare services. In Ontario, the two main types are traditional family doctor practices and Family Health Teams. Each model has specific rules about using walk-in clinics, which can change your options when you need quick medical help.
Do Family Doctors Allow You To Use Walk-in Clinics? – It Depends
Whether you can use a walk-in clinic depends on the type of family doctor practice you are part of. Traditional fee-for-service practices generally allow patients to visit walk-in clinics, while Family Health Teams discourage or block this option. The Ontario government sets funding models that shape these rules, and the doctor’s pay structure changes depending on whether you stay within the team or seek care elsewhere. Understanding these differences helps you make better decisions about your healthcare.
Traditional Family Doctor Practices Allow Walk-in Clinic Use
Traditional family doctors are usually paid through a fee-for-service model, which means they bill the government for each appointment. Patients rostered under these practices are still free to visit walk-in clinics when their family doctor is not available. The government does not restrict these visits in the same way it does for Family Health Teams. Many patients rely on walk-in clinics for minor illnesses, prescription renewals, or urgent but non-emergency issues when their family doctor’s schedule is full. This flexibility benefits patients who need timely care without waiting days or weeks for an appointment.
In this model, there is no financial penalty to the doctor if you use a walk-in clinic. The main drawback is that continuity of care can be interrupted because the walk-in doctor does not know your full medical history. However, traditional practices often accept that patients will use walk-in services from time to time. For you as a patient, this means greater freedom to seek care where and when you need it.
Family Health Teams Don’t Allow Walk-in Clinic Use
Family Health Teams work differently, and they discourage or block patients from using walk-in clinics. These teams receive a fixed pool of funding to care for their rostered patients, and they must provide availability for after-hours care within the team. If you belong to a Family Health Team and you go to a walk-in clinic, the government may reduce the team’s pay. As a result, many teams have rules that require you to contact them instead of visiting a walk-in clinic.
In practice, this means that if you are part of a Family Health Team, you are expected to call your team first, even during evenings or weekends. They must arrange care for you within the group, whether through on-call doctors, nurse practitioners, or other team members. This model is designed to keep care within the team, ensure continuity, and reduce unnecessary use of walk-in services. For you, the tradeoff is less freedom but more structured access to coordinated care.
Can You Pay For a Walk-in Clinic Out of Pocket? – Yes
Patients in Ontario can pay out of pocket to use a walk-in clinic, even if they belong to a Family Health Team. Clinics may charge a fee for uninsured visits, such as if you do not have a valid OHIP card or if you want to avoid the restrictions of your family doctor’s funding model. Paying privately does not involve government billing, so the penalties to your family doctor or team do not apply.
Out-of-pocket visits are uncommon because most patients rely on OHIP coverage, but they remain an option. This choice may appeal to you if you need immediate care and cannot reach your family doctor or Family Health Team in time. While private payment ensures access, it also means you are responsible for the full cost of the visit.
Book a Same-Day Walk-in Appointment at Infinity Health
Same-day access to care is one of the main reasons people use walk-in clinics. At Infinity Health, we offer same-day walk-in appointments for patients who need immediate medical help. You can book online or walk in directly, and our clinics in Toronto and Oakville are designed to handle non-emergency conditions quickly and effectively.
Infinity Health Locations
Toronto: 39 Lower Simcoe Street, Toronto, ON M5J 3A6
Oakville (Bronte Village): 2441 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville, ON L6L 5V5