Ontario Health Insurance Plan
OHIP Out of Country Services
Travellers
The Ministry of Health is re-instating OHIP coverage for out-of-country emergency hospital, health facility and doctor services retroactive to January 1, 2020 with the same reimbursement rates and the same coverage criteria that existed prior to the cancellation of the Out-of-Country (OOC) Travellers Program.
The program to fund out-of-country dialysis services will continue to be administered by the Ontario Renal Network through their Out-of-Country Hemodialysis Reimbursement Program.
The government strongly recommends that Ontarians travelling outside Canada purchase the appropriate travel health insurance coverage in the event emergency health services are needed and not rely solely on OHIP coverage.
- Out of Country Health Services
- Ambulance
- Snowbirds
- Students Studying Abroad
- Employees Travelling for Business on a Regular Basis
- Your OHIP Cheque
Out of Country Health Services
The Ministry of Health is re-instating OHIP coverage for emergency OOC hospital, health facility and doctor services retroactive to January 1, 2020 at the same reimbursement rates and the same coverage criteria that existed prior to the cancellation of the OOC Travellers Program (treatment is for medical conditions that are acute and unexpected, arose while outside the country, and require immediate treatment) for Ontarians travelling outside of Canada.
OHIP will only cover a very limited amount of the costs if you receive emergency health services while you’re travelling outside Canada.
OHIP may cover the following OOC emergency services:
- doctor services (e.g. medical assessments, emergency surgery)
- emergency outpatient services (e.g. MRIs, CT scans)
- emergency inpatient services (e.g. hospital stays, nursing services)
Learn more about OHIP coverage while outside Canada
Ambulance
Ambulance service refers to the use of a land, water, or flying vehicle for transporting sick or injured people to and from places of treatment for an illness or injury.
Ambulance services are not covered Out of Country (OOC). Ontarians travelling abroad are always encouraged to purchase the appropriate travel insurance coverage in the event emergency health and doctor services are needed out of country. Many Ontarians already have travel health insurance through their workplace plans or credit cards.
Learn more about ambulance services while outside Canada.
Snowbirds
Snowbird refers to an Ontario OHIP subscriber who winters in warmer locales, such as the Sunbelt region of the southern United States or the Caribbean, or the Southern Hemisphere.
Ontarians travelling abroad are always encouraged to purchase the appropriate travel insurance coverage in the event emergency health and doctor services are needed out of country. Many Ontarians already have travel health insurance through their workplace plans or credit cards.
Learn more about OHIP coverage while outside Canada
Students Studying Abroad
Student refers to an Ontario OHIP subscriber who leaves or plans to leave Ontario to pursue an accredited full-time learning or study opportunity.
Ontarians travelling abroad are always encouraged to purchase the appropriate travel insurance coverage in the event emergency health and doctor services are needed out of country. Many Ontarians already have travel health insurance through their workplace plans or credit cards.
Learn more about OHIP coverage while outside Canada.
Employees Travelling for Business on a Regular Basis
Business Traveler refers to an Ontario OHIP subscriber who leaves Ontario for the sole purpose of work or employment.
If your job requires you to leave Ontario, it is always encouraged to purchase the appropriate travel insurance coverage in the event emergency health and doctor services are needed out of country. Many Ontarians already have travel health insurance through their workplace plans or credit cards.
Learn more about OHIP coverage while outside Canada
Understanding Your OHIP Cheque for Reimbursement of Medical/Hospital Services
To understand your OHIP Cheque and obtain a complete list of Explanatory Codes select the appropriate link :
- Understanding Your OHIP Cheque [PDF]
- Explanation of Codes [PDF]
For More Information
Call ServiceOntario, Infoline at 1-866-532-3161
In Toronto, 416-314-5518
TTY 1-800-387-5559
In Toronto, TTY 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm
