Question about OHIP 3 months wait

[profiler]

Experts,
I landed in December 2016 (& thus my COPR is December 2016) and came back India in January' 2017.
For OHIP eligibility for Permanent Residency, webiste ( http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/ ), says:

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.[/i]



My question is that since I landed around 4 months back (my COPR is 4 months old), am I eligible for OHIP or I have to wait for 153 days?

If it's the first Canadian health insurance that you've had, you must also be physically present in Ontario for the first 6 months with no more than 30 days absent, or it can affect your wait period.

From:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/ohip_eligibility.aspx :
"
...
you are in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately following the date you establish residence in Ontario (you cannot be absent for more than 30 days during the first 6 months of residence); ...
"

So I would gather up the documents required and apply. Once you apply, they can tell you if or what the wait time will be.

 

[Rob_TO]

My question is that since I landed around 4 months back (my COPR is 4 months old), am I eligible for OHIP or I have to wait for 153 days?

You do not currently qualify for OHIP. Once you return to Canada to live permanently, you will then need to wait 3 months in Canada and only then will your OHIP be active. You will need to follow all of the eligibility rues from the date you actually return to Canada to establish residency.

 

[profiler]

You do not currently qualify for OHIP. Once you return to Canada to live permanently, you will then need to wait 3 months in Canada and only then will your OHIP be active. You will need to follow all of the eligibility rues from the date you actually return to Canada to establish residency.

I read that as they returned from India in January...

@OP: If you are not in Canada, then you will need to start the 3 months wait over. Once you are able to prove you are in Ontario physically, then your 3 month wait starts.

 

[Rob_TO]

I read that as they returned from India in January...

@OP: If you are not in Canada, then you will need to start the 3 months wait over. Once you are able to prove you are in Ontario physically, then your 3 month wait starts.

I think they're saying they landed in December, then returned to India in January where they still currently are. But yes they should clarify this.

 

[talkto_vinay]

Landed 1st time in canada in december (COPR month) and came back to India in January.
So assuming I land back in Canada now again in April, I will be eligible for OHIP after 3 months.

 

[profiler]

Landed 1st time in canada in december (COPR month) and came back to India in January.
So assuming I land back in Canada now again in April, I will be eligible for OHIP after 3 months.

3 months from when you can prove that you are physically in Ontario (utility bills, etc). Also, do not leave Ontario for more than 30 days in the first 6 months.

 

[Rob_TO]

Landed 1st time in canada in december (COPR month) and came back to India in January.
So assuming I land back in Canada now again in April, I will be eligible for OHIP after 3 months.

Yes.
Assume that on the day you come back to Canada in April, that will be the first day of residency for OHIP purposes so you must follow the residency rules from that day on.

Also you should get a necessary document that proves your residency (must be 1 from "List 2" here: http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/GetFileAttach/014-9998E-82~5/$File/9998-82E.pdf) as soon as possible, to go and register at Service Ontario office. I'm not sure if they will consider you a resident as of the date you arrived back in Canada, or the date you actually register with them to start the 3 month waiting period.

 

[talkto_vinay]

3 months from when you can prove that you are physically in Ontario (utility bills, etc). Also, do not leave Ontario for more than 30 days in the first 6 months.

Your statements are confusing me.

Since I have already left Ontario in January (for more than 3 months) after landing in December thus staying there for 21 days, what is the residency requirement for me.
(I made bank account when I landed which is active, however, I did not make any transaction)

 

[profiler]

Your statements are confusing me.

Since I have already left Ontario in January (for more than 3 months) after landing in December thus staying there for 21 days, what is the residency requirement for me.
(I made bank account when I landed which is active, however, I did not make any transaction)

You must be in Ontario for 3 months before you can use OHIP. Additionally, you must be physically present in Ontario for at least 6 months. No more than 30 days out of the province. You must be able to prove to Service Ontario when you took up residency in Ontario. See: http://settlement.org/ontario/health/ohip-and-health-insurance/health-ohip-card/what-documents-do-i-need-to-apply-for-a-health-card-ohip/

 

[Rob_TO]

Your statements are confusing me.

Since I have already left Ontario in January (for more than 3 months) after landing in December thus staying there for 21 days, what is the residency requirement for me.
(I made bank account when I landed which is active, however, I did not make any transaction)

Bank account is irrelevant. You can though use a "Monthly mailed bank account statement" from them obtained after you returned to Canada as proof of your residency. Only thing that really matters for OHIP is physical residency in Ontario, not how many accounts you have here.

So when you arrive back to Canada in April, that will be day 1 for OHIP qualifying. You must follow the residency rules from that day (so don't spend more than 30 days outside Canada for 6 months after April, and spend at least 153 days in 12 months after April.