Patient’s Eligibility Criteria

Must be referred by a doctor or nurse practitioner and have experienced:

  • 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 of chronic condition that led to a decline in function or movement,

You also must:

  • Have a valid Ontario health card and
  • Be 65 years or older;
  • 19 years or younger;
  • Any age after overnight hospitalization for a condition that requires physiotherapy (and for which you are not otherwise eligible through other publicly funded programs);
  • A recipient of Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). In that case an Ontario health card is not required and there are also no age requirements;

Who is Not Eligible for the Ontario Community Physiotherapy Clinic Program?

You are not eligible to participate in the Program if you:

  • Want to keep an existing level of function or ability to move
  • Want long-term rehabilitation (talk to your health care provider for options)
  • Need specialized services (e.g. for stroke and heart attack recovery)
  • Receive other physiotherapy services funded through auto insurance, the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) or by other government-funded healthcare programs (e.g. in-home physiotherapy).

Note: a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner does not mean you are automatically approved to receive physiotherapy under this Program.