OHIP Health Cards

 

NOTE: As of July 1, 2020, the red and white OHIP cards will no longer be accepted. If you have a red and white OHIP card, please visit a Service Ontario office to get your new free health card. Locations are listed below. 

 

 

You need to bring your Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card each time you come to the Hospital to receive services.  It must be a valid card for the Hospital to collect payment for your services from the Ministry of Health.  If the request for payment is rejected by the Ministry of Health (i.e. the card has expired, or the number is not valid) the Hospital must spend additional time and money tracking the patient to get a valid health insurance number or get payment directly from the patient.

 

A resident of Ontario must have a health card to show that he or she is entitled to health care services paid for by OHIP. The Ministry of Health pays for a wide range of services, however, it does not pay for services that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery.

To apply for OHIP coverage, you must go in person to a ServiceOntario centre.

 

Most of your Ontario health benefits are covered across Canada. The province or territory you are visiting will usually bill the Ontario Ministry of Health directly for hospital and physician services. In Quebec, you may have to pay for physician services and then submit your receipt to your local ministry office for payment.

 

Eligibility

Ontario residents are eligible for provincially funded health coverage (OHIP). Generally, to be eligible for Ontario health coverage you must:

  • be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or among one of the newcomer to Canada groups who are eligible for OHIP as set out in Ontario’s Health Insurance Act; and
  • be physically present in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period; and
  • be physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after establishing residency in the province; and
  • make your primary place of residence in Ontario.

OHIP coverage normally becomes effective three months after the date you establish residency in Ontario. The ministry strongly encourages new and returning residents to purchase private health insurance in case you become ill during the OHIP waiting period.

 

Did You Know?

As health service providers validate the health numbers of people they treat, it is important to carry your health card at all times.

 

If you have a red and white health card OR the newer photo health card, please carry it. Either card must be validated by your provider.

 

For more information, call the ServiceOntario Infoline at 1-866-532-3161. 
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Local OHIP offices:

Kingston:

1201 Division Street
Kingston, ON K7K 6X4

General Inquiries: 1-800-267-8097
Health Card Inquiries: 1-888-376-5197

 

Ottawa:

Fuller Building 75 Albert Street K1P 5Y9
(613) 237-9100
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.and Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Local Outreach offices:

 

Perth:

99A Dufferin Road K7H 3B6

 

Smiths Falls:

Unit B-88 Cornelia Street West K7A 5K9

Call the Ministry INFOline at 1-800-268-1154 (Toll-free in Ontario only)
E-mail: infomoh@gov.on.ca 
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


For more information, visit the Ministry website.