Public Information
Ministry Programs
Ontario Health Insurance Plan
Questions and Answers
What You Need to Know About Your Ontario Health Card? Printable Brochure [PDF]
- On April 1, 2009, changes to the OHIP eligibility rules under Regulation 552 under the Health Insurance Act became effective. How do I know if I am affected by these changes?
- Am I still eligible for OHIP if I temporarily leave Ontario?
- I am frequently away from Ontario, due to my job/studies; am I eligible for OHIP coverage?
- Are open work permit holders and/or participants in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program affected by the regulation change?
- Are internationally adopted children exempt from the 3-month waiting period?
- Am I eligible for Ontario Health Insurance?
- Am I eligible for OHIP right away or do I have to wait?
- How do I get an Ontario health card?
- What documents should I bring when I register?
- What immigration documents must I present to confirm my immigration status as an Applicant for Permanent Residence (previously called an Applicant for Landing) when applying for Ontario health insurance coverage?
- How do I register my children?
- How do I change my name on my health card to my married name?
- How do I change my name on my health card upon dissolution of my marriage?
- I have had my name legally changed, how do I have my new name put on my health card?
- What if my red and white health card is lost, stolen or damaged?
- What if my photo health card is lost, stolen or damaged?
- My photo health card has expired. How do I renew my health card?
- How do I renew my child's health card?
- I have a red and white health card. Do I need a photo health card?
- What if I forget to bring my health card when I go for health care?
- What should I do if I move?
- Why is it important for me to notify the ministry when I move?
- What if I know of someone using a health card that is not theirs?
- What services does OHIP cover?
- How do I submit my medical bills?
- My baby was born in hospital or at home attended by a registered midwife. How do I get a health card for my baby when he or she is born?
- What if my baby wasn’t born in hospital or attended at home by a registered midwife?
- My baby was born in an Ontario hospital but we are only visiting Ontario for a short period. Can we use the Ontario Health Coverage Infant Registration form to register our baby for Ontario health coverage while we are here?
- I don’t live in Ontario. Can my newborn/baby be registered through this process?
- OHIP pre-approved payment for my medical treatment in the United States and during that time I gave birth. How do I register my child for OHIP?
- What should I do if I need to take my baby to the doctor but haven’t received his or her health card?
- Do I need to notify the ministry if my baby and I are leaving the province?
- Do I need to cancel my OHIP coverage if I plan to move to a location outside Ontario?
- Do I need to do anything with a deceased person's health card or health coverage?
- Doesn't the government already know about this death? A death certificate has been issued?
- Can I just throw a deceased person's health card away?
- Should I tell a deceased person's health care providers about the death (e.g., family doctor, specialists, optometrist, dentist)?
- What should I do if I have a question or concern about extra billing or queue jumping?
April 2009
For More Information
Call ServiceOntario, Infoline at 1-866-532-3161
(Toll-free in Ontario only)
TTY 1-800-387-5559. In Toronto, TTY 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm
If you are a member of the media, call Communications and Information Branch at 416-314-6197 or visit our News Room section.
