Referring a Patient

UHN's Patient Referral Process

International Patients

The referral process is different for patients who are:

• Non-residents of Canada;
• Canadian citizens living abroad;
• Living in Canada but do not have landed immigrant status in Canada;
• Living in Canada but do not have provincial or federal health insurance.

In addition to providing a referral letter from your doctor and a complete record of your history, the following is required:

• Referrals must flow through a UHN physician, if you do not know which physician to contact you may begin the referral process by contacting International Services by phone (416) 340-4800 ext. 5481 or e-mail; International Services will direct you to an appropriate physician/program.
• Ensure all referral documents are sent from your referring physician directly to the UHN physician;
• Once the physician determines your needs International Services will provide an estimate of all hospital fees. Hospital fees may include all hospital visits, assessments, diagnostics, procedures, treatments, assistive devices, drugs, aftercare and follow-up appointments;
• Financial and Medico-legal requirements must be met in advance of being accepted for a procedure or admission. The Governing Law and Jurisdiction agreement and advanced payment or pre-certification of acceptable insurance of all estimated hospital fees are required before the referral process can continue.

When all estimated hospital fees are paid and your referral has been accepted, you will be scheduled for the next available appointment.

Please Note:

• Pre-payment is not a guarantee or commitment on the part of UHN to proceed with any hospital visit.
• Appointments may be rescheduled until all estimated hospital fees are received by UHN.
• All patients who are accepted at UHN are treated equally, according to our Vision, Mission, and Values; residency status will not affect access to care or quality of care at UHN.

I am an International Patient. How do I get referred to a UHN hospital?