For many Ontarians, especially seniors, people with mobility challenges, or those receiving palliative care, house calls from family doctors are a lifeline. While less common than in the past, several providers in Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Hamilton, Milton, and Brampton still offer home visit services.
This guide explains how house calls work in Ontario, what OHIP covers, and where you can find providers in your city.
What are house calls?
House calls are in-person medical visits made by a licensed family doctor to a patient’s home. They are designed for people who:
- Cannot easily travel to a clinic due to mobility issues or chronic illness
- Require end-of-life care or palliative care
- Need urgent but non-emergency primary care at home
What services can family doctors provide at home?
During a home visit, family doctors can:
- Conduct physical exams
- Review medications and manage prescriptions
- Provide chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, COPD)
- Offer palliative and end-of-life support
- Administer basic treatments like wound care or injections
- Refer patients to specialists or hospital care when needed
Are house calls covered by OHIP?
Yes — OHIP covers medically necessary house calls when patients are unable to travel to a doctor’s office. However:
- Not all family doctors offer house calls
- Coverage depends on medical need (not for convenience)
- Private home-visit services may charge additional fees for faster access
House call and home visit options by city
Burlington
Some independent family doctors still provide home visits, especially for seniors. Community-based palliative care teams also cover the area.
Oakville
Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital supports home-based care through affiliated doctors and palliative services.
Mississauga
Home visits are more available through corporate programs like WELL Health VirtualClinic+, which integrates virtual and in-person home care.
Hamilton
Hamilton Health Sciences offers outreach and home-based primary care programs, particularly for elderly patients.
Milton
Home visits are limited, but mobile nursing and family medicine teams are growing with Milton’s population.
Brampton
High demand makes access difficult, but some family doctors and community teams still provide house calls, particularly for seniors and palliative care.
Private home-visit doctor services
Several private providers operate across Ontario, offering same-day or next-day home visits for a fee. These may include:
- Executive health programs
- Concierge medicine options (covered in Direct Primary Care in Ontario)
- On-demand doctor services available in larger cities
Benefits of house calls
- Comfort: Receive care in a familiar environment
- Safety: Reduced exposure to infections in waiting rooms
- Accessibility: Essential for patients with limited mobility
- Continuity: Doctors can better understand living conditions and provide holistic care
Challenges and limitations
- Not widely available in every city
- Appointment availability is limited
- Some services may require out-of-pocket payment
- Emergency-level care still requires a hospital visit
Conclusion
House calls remain a vital option for patients across Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Hamilton, Milton, and Brampton who cannot travel to a clinic. Whether you’re looking for OHIP-covered services or premium private options, home visits ensure that no patient is left behind.
👉 Register now at doktr.ca to see which doctors in your city provide home visits or can connect you with palliative and community care teams.