OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan): apply for an Ontario health card

Ontario's public health insurance. With a health card, OHIP pays the full cost of medically necessary doctor visits and covers hospital visits and stays, lab tests and other services. You apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre.

Program in Ontario-wide. Health & care Newcomers

When: Apply any time. There is no waiting period, so you can apply as soon as you arrive in Ontario. For a baby born in an Ontario hospital or with a registered midwife, the health card is mailed within 8 weeks after the Infant Registration form is sent in.

How to reach them

1. Apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre (search by postal code).
2. Say who you are and what you are offering or asking.
3. Come back here and tell us if they answered.

Other ways, if that one is quiet

• FormGo to their application form
  It workedNo answer

• PhoneGo to the phone line
  It workedNo answer

• PhoneCall 1-866-532-3161
  It workedNo answer

Where else they are

Their website is ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card.

Good to know

• For whomPeople who make Ontario their main home, are physically in Ontario at least 153 days in any 12-month period (and at least 153 of the first 183 days after starting to live here), and are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a registered Indigenous person, a convention refugee or other protected person, an applicant for permanent residence whose application IRCC has confirmed meets the eligibility requirements to apply, or a valid work permit holder working full time in Ontario for an Ontario employer for at least 6 months (some other groups also qualify). Visitors do not qualify. There is no waiting period: if you are eligible, your coverage starts right away.
• CostNo fee to apply is listed. OHIP pays the full cost of medically necessary doctor visits. Renewing a health card is free.
• LanguagesEnglish, French
• Their stepsFill out the Registration for Ontario Health Coverage form (014-0265-82). Gather 3 separate documents from the official list (no photocopies): one original that proves your citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status (for example a PR card or work permit), one that proves you live in Ontario (for example a pay stub, bank statement or utility bill), and one original that proves your identity (for example a passport). Take the form and your 3 documents to a ServiceOntario centre. Use the location finder to search by postal code. If you are eligible, your coverage starts right away. Call ServiceOntario at 1-866-532-3161 if you have questions.

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