Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) provides Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) to Ontario residents. To be eligible for Ontario health coverage you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or have immigration status as set out in Ontario’s Health Insurance Act.
• Make your permanent and principal home in Ontario.
• Be present in the province for 153 days in any 12-month period.

OHIP funds medically necessary hospital and physician services. However the province goes beyond its legal obligations to cover a wide range of other health services. These include:

• A variety of community and mental health services.
• A portion of the cost of care at long-term care homes.
• Most of the cost of prescription drugs for seniors, people on social assistance and Ontario residents who face high drug costs.

There are no insurance deductibles or co-payment fees on basic health care.

OHIP coverage normally becomes effective 3 months after the date a person establishes residency in Ontario. Health cards are issued to residents, which they present in hospitals, clinics and physicians' offices to show they are entitled to health care services paid for by OHIP.

OHIP information changes. Be sure to check the OHIP website for the latest updates.