The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
Do you know what OHIP is? Find out everything you need to know about the Ontario health insurance plan from this blog. Keep reading to know more.
Source: Pexels
It is a Canadian government-backed plan and takes full custody of providing their citizens with the best insurance plans in every sector, including health, insurance, life insurance, etc.
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) is a Canadian government-starting and managed program. It offers every citizen of Ontario access to various health services covered under the plan.
What is OHIP?
The OHIP plan is a government-run health insurance program funded through taxes. It focuses on all medical services and medical facilities for the citizens.
Eligibility for the OHIP
You must fulfill all four points to be eligible for the OHIP plan.
- Have a residence in Ontario.
- You must live in Ontario for 153 days (about five months) minimum in the last 12 months.
- During the first six months of staying in Ontario, you must have lived in Ontario for a minimum of 30 days (about four and a half weeks).
- A Canadian permanent resident.
The OHIP card
The OHIP card, also known as a health card, is a document needed to avail yourself of the medical services covered under the OHIP plan. The Community Health Center usually issues the OHIP card.
You need to follow a straightforward process to get an OHIP card. An application form needs to be filled out with relevant documents and submitted at the local Ontario service center. A three-month waiting period is what it usually takes to complete a health card for any citizen.
Documents required for an OHIP card
- Legal permanent Canadian citizenship.
- A permanent residence in Canada.
- Identity proof of their Canadian citizenship.
Services offered by the OHIP
The OHIP covers many services under many categories in the medical field. Here is a quick look at all OHIP services under distinct sections.
1. Doctor services
The OHIP covers doctor visits or even clinic visits under medical ground for any OHIP cardholder.
Under the hospital services, all these below-mentioned medical facilities are covered under the OHIP plan.
- Diagnosis services
- Doctors and nurses tending services
- Medication costs while in the hospital and not after being discharged.
- Abortion services
- Accommodating frees depending on the room chosen.
2. Optometry (eye check-up) services
The OHIP plan covers general vision eye care problems. It caters to those under 19 or above 65 years of age. The OHIP covers one major eye problem as described under the plan requirements.
3. Ambulance services
Depending on the current situation, the OHIP plan covers either partial or the entire cost of an ambulance availed of by a health cardholder.
Services not covered under the OHIP plan.
The OHIP does not cover certain medical services.
- Medications that are not prescribed inside the hospital premises but by any private doctor or medical representative.
- Dental services are given at private dental clinics.
- Cosmetic and beauty surgeries.
- Contact lenses and eyeglasses services
- Eye surgeries are conducted with laser.
The OHIP services run and started by the Canadian government aims to simplify and make medical services easily accessible for its citizens. The OHIP plan offers many medical services under the OHIP card.
