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The OHIP card is a vital document in Ontario's healthcare system, providing residents with access to essential medical services. It serves as proof of coverage for doctor visits, emergency care, tests, and surgeries, ensuring individuals receive the medical assistance they need.
Without an OHIP card, accessing these crucial healthcare services would be significantly limited. Therefore, it is important that you have an OHIP card, renew it on time, and apply for a new one in case it's stolen. But how do you do it?
In this guide, we take you through all the information you need to know regarding an OHIP card including its coverage, application, renewal, and even replacement.
An OHIP card provides proof of Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage when receiving treatment or other health care services. Ontario residents who are eligible for OHIP will receive an OHIP card within four to six weeks of submitting their application.
You are required to show your card every time you see a doctor, visit an emergency room, have a medical test or surgery. It proves that you have coverage and is requested by participating doctors and health care providers throughout Ontario.
The OHIP health card itself looks like this:
The OHIP card gives you access to OHIP that provides vital medical services encompassing doctor visits, hospital care, diagnostic tests, and more, all without upfront payment. It's important to know that the coverage has limitations, much like public health care programs in other provinces like the MSP in BC. Certain treatments, prescription drugs, and non-urgent procedures may not be included.
It is to be noted that having a valid OHIP health card is essential to access these services. Renew OHIP card if it has expired. The OHIP card renewal process can be done online or in person. Seniors over 80 can do it over mail.
Non-covered services can be expensive and come as an unpleasant surprise when you are least expecting them. We highly recommend getting a private insurance plan. All you need to do is use our comparator to compare plans and get free quotes from multiple providers to help you buy a plan that's perfect for you.
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So where to get OHIP card? To apply for OHIP card as a first-timer you will need to visit a ServiceOntario centre in person. The ohip card requirements and the list of documents necessary depends on your status as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, permanent resident applicant or other.
If you're a first-time applicant and wondering how to get an OHIP card, then:
We emphasise that you must carry original documents. Photocopies will not be accepted for the OHIP card application.
In addition to the documents required for citizens, applicants for permanent residency are also required to provide a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: (IRCC), for OHIP card application.
The letter must:
Applicants with other immigration statuses may be required to have the following documents:
The work permit must be an original document (contract or letter) on a company letterhead signed and dated by your employer, which states the name of the company that you will be working for in Ontario. It needs to confirm full-time employment, your job title, the start date of your employment and that the employer intends to employ you for a minimum of six months.
A full list of accepted documents is at the bottom of this page. Note that original documents are required. Photocopies will not be accepted.
If you're wondering how to get OHIP card online, then you must know that the OHIP card can only be renewed online. First-time applicants are required to physically go to the nearest ServiceOntario centre to apply. To renew your expired OHIP card continue below.
Did your OHIP card expire? You can renew your Ontario health card for free online at ServiceOntario or in-person at a ServiceOntario centre. Both older red and white OHIP cards and newer OHIP photo cards are eligible for renewal. After submitting your renewal request, you can expect to receive your new OHIP card by mail within four to six weeks.
You will need the following documents to renew OHIP card online:
After renewing online, you will be able to print temporary documents to prove your status until your new card arrives in the mail.
If your mailing address is up-to-date, you should receive an OHIP card renewal notice. To use the OHIP card renewal online service you must be eligible for OHIP coverage. Your photo health card must expire within 90 days or have been expired for fewer than 90 days. You will also need to have an up-to-date photo and signature on your health card.
If your address has changed within the last 90 days, you will not be eligible for online renewal. In this case, you will need to renew your OHIP card in person at your nearest ServiceOntario centre. See here to update your address on the ServiceOntario website.
You will need the following documents to renew OHIP card in person:
People between the ages of 76 and 80 are required to renew in person to take a new photo.
People 81 or older are eligible to renew OHIP card by mail.
Getting your OHIP card is a relatively quick process. Once your OHIP application has been received, you can expect to receive your OHIP card by mail within four to six weeks. Before that, you will receive temporary paperwork to prove your coverage.
To replace an unexpired lost, stolen or damaged OHIP card, visit your nearest ServiceOntario centre and start your OHIP card replacement process. Alternatively, you may call 1-800-664-8988 to guide you on how to replace your lost OHIP card.
If you are someone whose Canadian citizenship or immigration status has changed since you received your most recent OHIP card, you will also need to bring your original citizenship or immigration documents for the OHIP card replacement. Remember that getting an OHIP card is extremely essential to have access to healthcare.
The OHIP number is a unique identification number is typically located on the front of the OHIP card, often followed by the individual's name, date of birth, and other relevant information. It's a crucial identifier when seeking medical services and billing through the provincial health care system. The OHIP card number is sensitive information, and you should treat it with care to prevent identity theft or unauthorized use.
If your OHIP card is expired when you seek medical care, doctors and private hospitals may refuse to treat you. While for major medical emergencies, you are still likely to receive care, they could bill you directly if you are unable to quickly renew your OHIP card. Because of this, it is best to always keep your Ontario health card up to date.
Note that as of January 2020, red and white cards are no longer accepted as proof of OHIP coverage. They have been replaced by photo cards.
If you need to replace an expired OHIP card you must visit your nearest ServiceOntario centre along with original documents proving your identity and residency in Ontario.
Remember that OHIP is not comprehensive, you can still have to pay significant costs out of pocket for prescriptions, dental and vision care or a private hospital stay. A private supplemental plan can ensure you are provided with full coverage for the services you need. You could use our comparator tool below and get personalised quotes from the Canada's best health and dental insurances in seconds.
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If you have moved or are considering moving, you will be required to change the address of your OHIP card within 30 days of your move. Making sure that your address is updated will help to ensure that you receive important information regarding your health insurance.
Your OHIP card change of address can be done in the following ways:
Please be aware that if your OHIP health card already displays an address, online address changes are not possible. To update your address, a visit to a ServiceOntario center will be required.
If you have applied for your OHIP card for the first time, or have recently applied for a renewal, your printed documents will act as a temporary card. Four to six weeks after getting these you should receive your card in the mail. You should be sure to carry these temporary documents with you receive until your OHIP card to prove health insurance coverage.
Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you will be assigned a unique 10-digit health number which will be used to provide you with free OHIP insured health services.
Whether you are applying for your OHIP card for the first time or renewing your old red and white card you may be asked to prove your status, your residency and your identity. See below for a list of accepted documents.
To prove you are a Canadian Citizen or have OHIP-eligible immigration status, you will need to provide one of the following original documents:
To provide proof of your identity, you should use a document that is different from the one you provided to show proof of residence, proof of citizenship or OHIP eligible immigration status. It is important to verify that these documents include both your name and signature. Accepted documents include:
To provide proof of your residency in Ontario, documents include:
