Visit our Community Resources page to explore healthcare options available in our region.
Get Primary Care
Sign up for a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner
If you live in Muskoka or the Almaguin Highlands and are looking for a family doctor or nurse practitioner, you can register with Ontario’s Health Care Connect program. This program helps match you with a primary care provider close to home. You can register even if you already have a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
How to Register
You can register for Health Care Connect online or by phone.
A Care Connector will help match you with a family doctor or nurse practitioner in Muskoka or Almaguin as quickly as possible. For more information, visit ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or call 1-800-445-1822.
Need Care While You Wait for a Provider?
If you don’t currently have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, there are still many ways to get the care you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Primary care is the cornerstone of Ontario’s health care system. It’s often your first step when accessing health services and plays a key role in keeping you healthy and supported throughout your life. Family doctors and nurse practitioners are the main providers of primary care in our communities.
Primary care helps by:
- Supporting people at every stage of life
- Promoting overall health and well-being through comprehensive care
- Connecting you to specialists and community resources when needed
- Preventing, identifying, and treating illness early
Health Care Connect is a provincial program that helps Ontario residents find and connect with a family doctor or nurse practitioner close to home.
To register with Health Care Connect, you’ll need:
- A valid Ontario health card
- An up-to-date mailing address linked to your health card
You can register whether or not you currently have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. If you already have a provider, you may still consider registering—for example, if your provider is retiring or you’ve moved and now live too far away to access their care easily.
You can register for Health Care Connect online at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or by calling 8-1-1. You’ll be asked a few simple questions about your health care needs to help match you with the right provider.
Once you’ve registered with Health Care Connect, a Care Connector will work to match you with a family doctor or nurse practitioner in your area as soon as possible.
Matching times may vary based on provider availability, location, and individual health needs. Health Care Connect continues to collaborate with local family doctors and nurse practitioners to ensure residents are connected to primary care as quickly as possible
If you need medical care before being connected with a family doctor or nurse practitioner:
- For emergencies: Call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.
- For non-emergency care: you can access available healthcare services for Muskoka and Almaguin residents by visiting our “Community Resources” web page here.
- Need help finding the right service? Call 2-1-1 for guidance on available care options near you.
For questions about Health Care Connect, please call 8-1-1 or visit ontario.ca/healthcareconnect.