Does OHIP cover me when I am outside Ontario? (2024)

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The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) pays for most of your health care costs when you are outside of Ontario but still in Canada. OHIP only pays for some services when you travel outside of Canada.

Outside of Ontario, In Canada

If you have OHIP, you get basic health care for free when you are in most other parts of Canada.

When you are in Quebec, you might have to pay for services. When you get back to Ontario you can send your receipt to your local Ministry of Health office. If you are eligible, they can send you back the money you paid for that service. However, they will only send you back an amount that equals what that service costs in Ontario.

Keep your OHIP card with you, even when you are not in Ontario. You need to show the doctor this card to have your costs paid for by OHIP.

Outside of Canada

If you travel outside of Canada, you should consider getting additional private health insurance coverage. OHIP coverage is limited when you are outside of Canada.

When you travel outside of Canada, OHIP will pay for insured, emergency health services that meet specific criteria. OHIP pays a set amount for these services.

There are many health services that are not covered by OHIP when you are outside of Ontario. For example, OHIP does not pay when you:

  • Use an ambulance
  • Get medical services that you can plan for and get in Ontario

Generally, you have to pay for the services upfront and OHIP will reimburse you, if you are eligible. Find out more about how to make a claim to OHIP.

How do I pay for my health care when I travel outside of Canada?

You can buy private health insurance when you travel. This can help you pay for services that OHIP does not cover.

The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) has information about what type of insurance you can get when you are outside of Canada. Call CLHIA:

  • 1-888-295-8112
  • In Toronto: 416-777-9002

How long can I stay outside of Canada and keep my OHIP coverage?

You can be outside of Canada for 212 days in a 12-month period and still be covered by your OHIP.

If you will be away for more than 212 days, you can apply for continuous OHIP eligibility. This means that you want to keep your OHIP benefits, even though you will be out of the country for more than 212 days. OHIP might cover you for a longer period of time if you are out of the country because you are:

  • Studying
  • Working
  • Vacationing
  • Doing missionary work

To apply for continuous OHIP eligibility, you might need to show documents explaining why you will be absent. Contact your local Service Ontario OHIP office for information about what documents you will need.

For the most up-to-date, official information, call the Ministry of Health INFOline:

  • In Ontario:1-866-532-3161
  • In Toronto: 416-314-5518
  • TTY: 1-800-387-5559

Many community agencies can help answer your questions about OHIP. To find help, go to Services Near Me and search for "community health centres" or "settlement services" in your area.

For More Information

Last updated: June 12, 2023 4001241

Does OHIP cover me when I am outside Ontario? (2024)

FAQs

Does OHIP cover me when I am outside Ontario? ›

You can be outside of Canada for 212 days in a 12-month period and still be covered by your OHIP. If you will be away for more than 212 days, you can apply for continuous OHIP eligibility. This means that you want to keep your OHIP benefits, even though you will be out of the country for more than 212 days.

Does OHIP cover you outside of Ontario? ›

If you're moving permanently to another province or territory in Canada, OHIP will cover you for the same services as when you are going away temporarily until the last day of the second full month after you leave Ontario. Remember to apply for coverage in your new province or territory.

What does the Ontario health Card not cover? ›

OHIP does not cover:

Prescription drugs for 25 years and older. Dental care. Eye care or eye glasses. Services that are not medically necessary (e.g. cosmetic surgery)

How long do you have to live in Ontario to qualify for OHIP? ›

To be eligible for OHIP, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Be physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period. Be physically in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after you began living in the province. Make Ontario your primary residence.

Can you go to a hospital in Ontario without OHIP? ›

Patients that are not covered by Canadian provincial health plans are expected to pay their hospital bills directly since the Hospital does not have the resources to provide care free of charge. The care that is being provided to you is costly and requires payment at the time the care is provided.

How long can I be out of Canada without losing benefits? ›

Your provincial or territorial health plan will cover only part, if any, of medical expenses outside Canada and will not pay up front. Furthermore, it will become invalid if you live elsewhere beyond a certain length of time—generally six to eight months, depending on your province or territory.

How many days can you be out of Canada in a year? ›

How long are you welcome to visit another country? A Canadian can stay for up to 182 days per calendar year (without paying U.S. income tax). Visitors can stay for maximum of six months in each 12 months (not a calendar year, but counting backwards 12 months from your date of entry).

Are CT scans covered by OHIP? ›

In Ontario, OHIP will cover your CT scan appointment if: It's medically necessary. Your accredited physician has provided a requisition.

Why can't i use Ontario health card as ID? ›

By law, no one can be required to produce the Ontario Health Card, nor can the health number be collected. You should not ask for the Ontario Health Card as identification, but if offered voluntarily you may accept it at your discretion.

Does everyone have to pay Ontario health Premium? ›

You have to pay the Ontario health premium if both of the following conditions apply: You were a resident of Ontario at the end of the year. Your taxable income on line 26000 of your return is more than $20,000.

What qualifies you as an Ontario resident? ›

Residency Requirements

You are considered an Ontario resident if as of the first day of their study period, Ontario is the most recent province in which you have resided for 12 consecutive months, not including any time as a full-time postsecondary student.

How long do you have to be in Ontario to be a resident? ›

A person who can establish bona fide residency in Ontario as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) for a period of 12 consecutive months (excluding periods spent in a post-secondary institution) prior to registration in the year for which application ...

How do I prove residency in Ontario for OHIP? ›

In order to apply for an OHIP card, you will need the following: Proof of Canadian citizenship or immigration status (e.g. Permanent Resident card, work permit) Proof of residency in Ontario (e.g. Ontario driver's license, utility bill, rental agreement, or pay stub)

How long can I be out of Ontario and keep OHIP? ›

If you plan to be outside Canada for more than 7 months in any 12-month period you can keep your OHIP coverage for up to 2 years if you: have a valid health card. make Ontario your primary home.

Can I use OHIP in the USA? ›

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) is a government-funded health insurance program that provides coverage for essential medical services to eligible residents of Ontario, Canada. However, as of January 1, 2020, OHIP has made a significant change by eliminating coverage for out-of-country emergency care.

What's not covered by OHIP? ›

NON-OHIP INSURED SERVICES
  • Cosmetic procedures i.e.: removal of warts, age spots or skin tags.
  • Travel medicine advice and services for travelling outside of Canada.
  • Examinations/diagnostic tests requested by employers, insurance companies, government agencies, etc.
  • Pre-adoption examinations.

What does OHIP cover in Canada? ›

OHIP covers part or all of the following services:
  • visits to doctors.
  • hospital visits and stays.
  • laboratory testing in community labs or hospitals.
  • medical or surgical abortions.
  • eligible dental surgery in hospital.
  • eligible optometry (eye-health services)
  • podiatry (foot-health services)
  • ambulance services.
Apr 21, 2017

What is the OHIP equivalent in Ontario? ›

GSHIP is the equivalent to the Ontario Provincial Government's Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage. It provides the registered International Students with the medically necessary coverage for services and treatments normally covered by the OHIP for an Ontario resident in all of Canada.

What is OHIP called in BC? ›

The Government of B.C. health plan is called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). It pays for basic, medically required health services.

What happens if you have no health insurance in Canada? ›

Canadian residents without valid provincial or federal health insurance plan, considered uninsured residents of Canada, and non-residents of Canada are responsible for all Hospital fees. Hospital fees are in addition to attending physician fees as billed by the physician.

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