Ontario’s Health Care Plan Health Card Application Information

Whether you live in Ontario or deciding to relocate, it’s crucial to maintain your health and OHIP is the one that ensures your medical coverage. Canada has always been helping its residents or foreigners to be in the best place, healthier and wealthier.

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) can be obtained by completing an application form for OHIP. You may obtain this form from any clinic or provincial health department. Newbies, PR and other immigration status holders can apply by attaching all the documents with the application form. 

You must wait three months after submitting an application to get approval. OHIP covers several treatments and provides a facility to avail of many medical aids free of cost. But still, some treatments are not under its coverage. To avoid any suffering regarding your health, go for private health insurance along with OHIP. These cards may soothe your life in Ontario.

Without dragging, let’s get into details.

What Is Ontario Health Insurance Program [OHIP]?

Canada boasts the best healthcare systems in the world. Most healthcare treatments are free if you have health insurance. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) is funded by your taxes and provides basic health care coverage for this Canadian province.

The OHIP covers a variety of essential health services, including the following:

• Doctor’s appointments.
• Hospitalizations.
• Specialist doctors, and so on.

It’s essential for a newbie to Ontario to must have a health card, or if you come here after a long break, you must have your health card to avail of any health service. Tourists and visitors cannot own OHIP.

Ontario, like other provinces, does not cover the costs of prescription pharmaceuticals, dental treatments, ambulance aid, long-term nursing, and eye tests for individuals aged 20-64. Instead of bearing the expense of these medical services, get private health insurance coverage for most of these expenditures.

Premiums, on the other hand, might be rather costly. Some businesses provide supplementary health coverage to cover such expenses in exchange for a monthly withdrawal from your paycheck. 

OHIP Card

An OHIP card verifies Ontario Health Insurance Plan eligibility when seeking treatment or medical services. If you are a resident of Ontario, then you are qualified to get an OHIP card four to six weeks after submitting your insurance form.

You must display your OHIP card whenever you visit the emergency department, visit a doctor, get a medical test, or have surgery. It verifies your coverage and prescription issued by authorized physicians and health care professionals across Ontario.

OHIP Eligibility

You have to satisfy the following requirements if you want to be eligible for OHIP:

• If you are new to Ontario, you must apply for Canadian citizenship and permanent residency (PR) and meet the government’s qualifying standards.
• You must be a citizen, green card holder, or arrived immigrant in Canada.
• You are a legitimate foreign employee in Canada with having valid job permit. The job permits may be for seasonal agricultural or any caregiver program.
• It would be best if you designated Ontario as your new home to keep your OHIP card active. You must be present in Ontario for about 153 days a year.

Required Documents

If you’re registering for your first OHIP or updating your existing cards, you may be requested to provide proof of your position, address, and identification. A list of approved papers is provided below:

Proof Of Canadian Citizenship

You must apply one of the following authentic documents to verify your citizenship immigration position in Canada:

• Canadian birth registration certificate abroad.
• A Canadian passport that is valid for 5 years.
• Ontario or any other provincial-issued birth certificates.
• Canadian certified birth certificate.
• Naturalization certificate.
• Canadian citizen certificate.
• Registered record of an Indian immigrant.
• The immigration status of an Indian.
• Registration document confirmation.

Proof Of Permanent Residency.

You may require the following documents to verify your permanent residency:

• Permanent resident card – valid or expired.
• An identification card was issued by Canada’s immigration department.
• Proof of permanent residency.
• Report of arrival in Canada.

Proof Of Other Immigrants’ Status

Follow the following list to give proof of eligible immigration status:

• Checking the status, IMM 5715 or IMM 5716.
• Document proving your status as a welfare person.
• Convention refugee issued by the Immigration and Refugee Board.
• IRB’s written certification of eligibility to seek citizenship in Canada.
• A temporary PR.
• A job permit.

Proof Of Identity

You should use a separate document to prove your identification than the one you used to demonstrate your place of abode, nationality, and OHIP-eligible immigrant status. It is crucial to make sure your name and signature are on these documents. Among the approved documents are the following:

• Valid passport from Canada or abroad.
• A permanent residence card, a driving license for Ontario, a temporary license, or an Ontario photo card.
• A driving permit for Ontario.
• Identification document for Canadian immigrants.
• A plastic card citizenship certificate for Canadians.
• Proof of Indian citizenship.
• Professional license as of today.
• Id card of an active employee.
• Senior security card.
• ID card for students.
• A credit or debit card.
• Union ID.
• List of Landings _IMM 1000.

Proof Of Residency

The following papers can be used as evidence of your residency in Ontario:

• Ontario’s picture ID card or driving license.
• Utility, phone, or property tax bills.
• A bank or credit card statement each month, a registered plan of retirement and income funds and a registered plan for home savings are all the things that may be set up at a bank, trust firm or credit union.
• Car, home, flat, or life insurance coverage.
• Property tax invoice.
• Agreement for a lease, rent, or mortgage.
• The most recent assessment notice of income and child tax relief.
• Employees should provide a document from their employers on the business address.
• Students must provide a scorecard or academic record of any institute they’re studying.

Check Out Understanding (OHIP,) Ontario Health Insurance Plan for Current Residents and Those New to Ontario:

Health Coverage Under OHIP

OHIP totally or partially covers the following costs:

• An appointment with a doctor.
• Hospitalization.
• Walk-in clinic.
• HealthcareHealthcare professionals.
• Screening procedures like x-rays.
• Prescriptions.
• Food.
• A single eye exam in a year for everyone under 20 and above 65.
• You’re entitled to free healthcare transportation if you are a Northern Ontario resident.
• Oral surgery.
• Emergency medical services.
• Podiatric care.
• Items That Are Not Covered

Most of the time, OHIP may only cover the required medical treatments, like a visit to a hospital or doctor. Some basic benefits are not provided by the Ontario Healthcare system. These are as follows:

• Prescription drug prices if you are under 65.
• Dental treatment.
• Glasses, contact lenses, and eye tests for adults aged 20-64.
• Medical examinations for PR applications.
• Missed scheduled appointments and doctor’s reports.
• Travel vaccines and immunizations.
• Wheelchairs or casts.
• Private therapy or psychoanalysis.
• Massage, physiotherapy, reflexology, and acupuncture are all forms of alternative medicine.

How To Apply For An OHIP Card?

It’s crucial to apply for an OHIP card for yourself and your family ASAP, preferably during the first weeks of your arrival in Canada. Because after applying, you still have to wait three months to get an OHIP card. We must recommend you apply in person.

You may get an application form from a hospital, a doctor’s clinic, an immigration community group, or a ServiceOntario outlet. Forms are also available on the provincial department of health.

First Time Applicants

If you are a newbie to Canada and want to register yourself for OHIP, then memorize the following terms:

• You should visit the nearby Service Ontario Centre.
• Get the registration form and fill it out.
• Attach all the essential documents with the form:
• Passport, PR card, seniors card. 
• Ontario residency.
• Citizenship.

• Attach a marriage certificate if you are married.
• Take your original documents while applying, as photocopies are not allowed.

Permanent Resident Applicants

Suppose you are a PR holder and want to apply for OHIP. You must present a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This letter must:

• It should be on IRCC letterhead and delivered to you as an applicant.
• Declare that the IRCC has validated your ability to apply for PR, and you are not supposed to refuse it.
• Contain IRCC paperwork like visiting records, work permits, or study permits, together with the statement stating that you have filed for PR and satisfied the qualifying condition.

Other Immigrants Status

Persons having other immigration statuses may apply for OHIP with the following documents:

• Documentation of protected person status.
• Status verification.
• A permit for temporary residence.
• A work permit, giving proof of your employment in Ontario for full-time.
• The work permit should be an authentic document with a sign from your employer stating the name of the firm for which you work in Ontario.
• It must indicate the full-time job, title and starting date of your work, and the employer’s intention to hire you for at least six months.
• An IRCC-issued confirmation letter stating that you are qualified to get Canadian citizenship.

How To Renew Your OHIP Card?

Is your OHIP card about to expire? You may renew your OHIP card online or in-person method for free. Renewal is available for OHIP cards and current OHIP picture cards. You may get your OHIP card within 4-6 weeks after submitting your renewal application. 

Check out the following ways through which you may apply for OHIP renewal:

Online

The two documents that you need while applying online are the following:

• Your current medical OHIP card.
• Your most current driving license.

While waiting for your renewed card via mail, you may have a printed copy of interim documentation. You may get a renewal notification if your mailing address is current. It would help if you were qualified for OHIP coverage to utilize the online renewal program.

You can renew your picture health card if it’s going to be expired within or less than 90 days. Your Ontario health card must also have a current photo and signatures.

In Person

Following are the documents that you may need while applying in person:

• Your existing health insurance card.
• Original paperwork proving your citizenship and eligibility for OHIP.

You must renew your health card if you are between 76-80.

Replacing A Lost OHIP Card

You may replace an OHIP card that has not expired but was lost, stolen, or damaged. You have to visit the local Ontario service station. You may also dial 1-800-664-8988. 

You must provide your original documentation regarding immigration or citizenship after you acquire your most current OHIP card.

OHIP Card Expiration

The hospitals and physicians may not examine you if your health card is expired. Even in a serious medical situation, you must pay the bill if you can’t renew your health card immediately. Today photo cards have taken the place of white and red cards as OHIP coverage.

Now you have to replace your expired OHIP health card. For this purpose, you must go to the Ontario Service station and provide original documentation showing your identification and Ontario citizenship.

As you already know that OHIP does not cover everything. You still have to pay for medicines, dentistry, eye treatment, and private hospitalization. We always recommend that newbies get private health insurance in addition to Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card. 

Private health insurance can guarantee that you have complete coverage for the treatments you require. 

Changing The Address In The OHIP Card

Want to relocate inside Ontario? You can! But you have to update the address on your health card. The updating must be done within 30 days of your relocation. Your updated address is crucial to obtain vital information about your OHIP health card.

You may update your address in the following ways:

Online

You may change your address online.

In-Person

You may also visit the nearest Ontario Service centre to change the address on your health card.

Letter

You can also submit a letter to the Ontario Service location by providing the following information:

• Name.
• Cell number.
• Health number.
• The exact new address with postal code.
• Old address.
• Mail

Get the address updating form, fill it out, and submit it via mail.

OHIP vs UHIP

You may get an OHIP card after enrolling in it, and this OHIP card will serve as your permanent health card. Everyone in Canada has his own insurance card, whether it is an adult, senior, or child. You have to present this card if you seek any medical care. The expiry date on your picture health card is connected to your work permit and birth date.

Your OHIP or UHIP card plays a vital role in your medical services. The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) covers you and your dependents, equivalent to OHIP, which requires membership.

Any association with whom an employee is connected or the employee himself can pay for UHIP premium. Generally speaking, academic staff and worker’s coverage starts on the initial of the month to correspond with ‘the effective start date,’ provided that all of your registration paperwork is in order.

Within 30 days of your arrival in Canada, it is mandatory to enroll your dependents in UHIP. If you enroll after the deadline, a late enrollment charge and premium may go back to the beginning of the month when your university job starts.

Many medical facilities can take UHIP, but you’ll need to show them your UHIP card and pay the administrative charge, which varies by location and can be anywhere between $15 and $50. If you do not show your UHIP card, you must substantially pay extra charges. 

Since you purchase it from your wallet, you can obtain a refund from UHIP. When you file your yearly income tax return, the government may refund you for the administrative fee.

FAQs

Conclusion

Although, the processing method of OHIP is very lengthy and requires a list of documents to be attached. But to enjoy a healthy and comfortable life in Ontario, it’s crucial to follow each step with great consideration so that you may not face any error or objection in getting OHIP.

OHIP approval demands three months waiting period, so getting private health coverage in addition to OHIP can also be another option. Go and explore again if you miss any point in this guide. You may also explore OnTheMoveCanada for other immigration guides. Stay Healthy, Stay Happy!