Health card for New Immigrant (OHIP) for Ontario

[Rob_TO]

So that is why I say wait til you get back after 5 months absence. If you got your ohip card while away, ontario service may take your original card and you end up waiting 3 months for new card again.

I thought you always kept your original card and number as long as it was before expiry date, and it would just be inactivated or activated when required.

If they will possibly take entire card to issue you a new one on re-establishing residency, then yes it's best to just wait until you return to Canada for good to apply.

 

[screech339]

I thought you always kept your original card and number as long as it was before expiry date, and it would just be inactivated or activated when required.

If they will possibly take entire card to issue you a new one on re-establishing residency, then yes it's best to just wait until you return to Canada for good to apply.

Each OHIP card has a special 2 letter code at end of the numbers. This changes every time you renew or update new address change or replaced. Since the 2 letter code changes every time, it required a new card.

 

[Rob_TO]

Each OHIP card has a special 2 letter code at end of the numbers. This changes every time you renew or update new address change or replaced. Since the 2 letter code changes every time, it required a new card.

Ahh i see. I still use the old-fashioned red & white OHIP card that has no photo and never needs to be renewed

 

[screech339]

Ahh i see. I still use the old-fashioned red & white OHIP card that has no photo and never needs to be renewed

So basically your old ohip card is valid while you are stuck in your residence until you move. Once you move and update address, good bye old white and red card. Hello picture ID fraud preventive measure OHIP card.

 

[truesmile]

I've moved MANY times (since the new ones came out), and I still haven't been told to get a new card.

 

[screech339]

I've moved MANY times (since the new ones came out), and I still haven't been told to get a new card.

You are right. They will replace your ohip card if it has an address on back. They will send you a new one with no address on card. This will help remove the cost of replacing the card every time you move.

I had an older (photo id ohip card) released after the re and white cards. They had an address on it. So any time we moved, we had a new ohip card. This happens until the latest ohip card out now had the address removed from the card. This remove the cost and need to replace the card everytime you move. No address change on card to do. But your address gets pulled up on the computer when swiped. This is why they always asked people what's their current address.

 

[Rob_TO]

I've moved MANY times (since the new ones came out), and I still haven't been told to get a new card.

Ya me too. Red & white non-photo OHIP card never needs to be replaced for address change.

However i've heard they are slowing forcing everyone to change, and eventually we will get a notice in the mail with a notice to switch to new photo OHIP card, as they will cancel out your red & white one. No clue what the timeframe is to switch all of Ontario though.

 

[screech339]

Ya me too. Red & white non-photo OHIP card never needs to be replaced for address change.

However i've heard they are slowing forcing everyone to change, and eventually we will get a notice in the mail with a notice to switch to new photo OHIP card, as they will cancel out your red & white one. No clue what the timeframe is to switch all of Ontario though.

They are not going to arbitrary cancel your red and white card. But if they have security issues with your card, they will cancel it without your knowledge until you go visit the doctors office when you find out it has been cancelled.

You will then have to go get a new card and you would get reimbursed for any out of pocket cost due to card cancellation.

 

[Rob_TO]

They are not going to arbitrary cancel your red and white card.

It appears that has indeed happened. http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/health-headlines/ontario-stepping-up-phase-out-of-old-red-and-white-health-cards-1.894253

So if OHIP has your wrong address on file and you don't get the notices in the mail, you could indeed show up at a hospital just to be told your card is not valid anymore. I'm sure you would eventually be compensated, but would still be a pain to go through to have to pay cash up-front while it's being fixed.

 

[screech339]

It appears that has indeed happened. http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/health-headlines/ontario-stepping-up-phase-out-of-old-red-and-white-health-cards-1.894253

So if OHIP has your wrong address on file and you don't get the notices in the mail, you could indeed show up at a hospital just to be told your card is not valid anymore. I'm sure you would eventually be compensated, but would still be a pain to go through to have to pay cash up-front while it's being fixed.

They could in theory claim that all the red and white cards all have security issues and cancel them all at same time. But that would cause an uproar from the people.

One way to incite people to switch to new ohip id card is to say some new service coverages are only available on the new ohip card but not under the red and white card. Those that claim discrimination will lose argument as they can switch to the new card id and get access. No one is stopping them.

Want to keep the old red and white cards, by all means keep using it. But don't expect to get all the "new service coverage" until you get on the new ohip card.

Much like some foreign passports. If you have a non-biometric passport, you have to apply for visa to enter Canada. But if you have biometric passport, you can enter canada visa free.

 

[Rob_TO]

They could in theory claim that all the red and white cards all have security issues and cancel them all at same time. But that would cause an uproar from the people.

One way to incite people to switch to new ohip id card is to say some new service coverages are only available on the new ohip card but not under the red and white card. Those that claim discrimination will lose argument as they can switch to the new card id and get access. No one is stopping them.

Want to keep the old red and white cards, by all means keep using it. But don't expect to get all the "new service coverage" until you get on the new ohip card.

Much like some foreign passports. If you have a non-biometric passport, you have to apply for visa to enter Canada. But if you have biometric passport, you can enter canada visa free.

I'm not sure what possible services you could be referring to, that would apply to photo card but not the old red & white card?
If you go to a docs office or hospital, you show your card, and you get healthcare. I don't think there is much more to it or any "extras" beyond that.

Sounds like they are forcing everyone to switch by randomly sending out notices and then deactivating old cards, but just are doing it verrrrrrry slowly.

 

[screech339]

I'm not sure what possible services you could be referring to, that would apply to photo card but not the old red & white card?
If you go to a docs office or hospital, you show your card, and you get healthcare. I don't think there is much more to it or any "extras" beyond that.

Sounds like they are forcing everyone to switch by randomly sending out notices and then deactivating old cards, but just are doing it verrrrrrry slowly.

There were health coverages that were dropped due to cost cutting measures. For example: annual hearing tests. They could introduce the coverage back on but only on the new ohip cards. Not on the old red and white cards.

 

[mrashid123]

Here's a question for while we're on the topic of OHIP for new immigrants....
My wife just recently made her landing in March..... I have her added to my health benefits from work.... we had to go in for a dental check this past weekend.... she still hasn't completed her 3 months yet.... would my insurance company reject the claim if I claimed the dental visit?.... does the insurance company even have anything to do with whether or not she has OHIP?

 

[screech339]

Here's a question for while we're on the topic of OHIP for new immigrants....
My wife just recently made her landing in March..... I have her added to my health benefits from work.... we had to go in for a dental check this past weekend.... she still hasn't completed her 3 months yet.... would my insurance company reject the claim if I claimed the dental visit?.... does the insurance company even have anything to do with whether or not she has OHIP?

Your wife wasn't suppose to be on your work benefits until she is on OHIP coverage. I think, most if not all, insurance company providers dictates that they have to be on OHIP before they are qualified to be getting dental benefits.

If your wife has been getting benefits so far, the insurance company may come back to you to pay for the expenses not entitled to back to them if they discovered this.

Most insurance companies at least in ontario have a policy that those receiving work benefits such as dentals must be on OHIP.

Screech339

 

[mrashid123]

Your wife wasn't suppose to be on your work benefits until she is on OHIP coverage. I think, most if not all, insurance company providers dictates that they have to be on OHIP before they are qualified to be getting dental benefits.

If your wife has been getting benefits so far, the insurance company may come back to you to pay for the expenses not entitled to back to them if they discovered this.

Most insurance companies at least in ontario have a policy that those receiving work benefits such as dentals must be on OHIP.

Screech339

O ok.... Thanks for ur reply.... I had no idea that was the case..... cuz they never asked at any time if she had OHIP