I badly need a health card, can I get it?

[canadadreamernew]

When I go to Service Ontario, they press me for a "letter of employment" when I ask for a health card.

I am currently unemployed and on an open work permit, which I got in April (a BOWP).

I have a closed WP from Oct 19 to July 2022.

When I go to Service Ontario,can I get my health card with Closed work permit? When I present open work permit, they ask for employment letter.
Do they check the current status using their computers?

I just got a very bad sprain, what other options do I have?

 

[scylla]

When I go to Service Ontario, they press me for a "letter of employment" when I ask for a health card.

I am currently unemployed and on an open work permit, which I got in April (a BOWP).

I have a closed WP from Oct 19 to July 2022.

When I go to Service Ontario,can I get my health card with Closed work permit? When I present open work permit, they ask for employment letter.
Do they check the current status using their computers?

I just got a very bad sprain, what other options do I have?

You need an employment letter regardless.

If you are on a temporary work permit, then you need proof of employment to get an OHIP card or get one renewed. See below:

Other immigration status

• letter from Immigration and Refugee Board confirming Convention Refugee or Protected Person status
• Protected Person Status document
• temporary resident permit (case types 86 through 95 only)
• work permit (proof of full-time employment in Ontario is required – restrictions apply)
  • this must be an original document (contract or letter) on employer company letterhead signed and dated by the employer and state:
    • that the employee is working full-time
    • the title/occupation of the position
    • that the employee will be working for the company within Ontario
    • the start date of employment, and
    • that the employer intends to employ the employee for a minimum of six (6) months (the letter can state the employee is permanent. However, this does not replace the criteria to confirm “Full Time”)
• Verification of Status (IMM 5716 or IMM 5715)
• written confirmation from IRCC that you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship under section 5.1 of Canada’s Citizenship Act

https://www.ontario.ca/page/documents-needed-get-health-card#section-0

 

[canadadreamernew]

You need an employment letter regardless.

If you are on a temporary work permit, then you need proof of employment to get an OHIP card or get one renewed. See below:

Other immigration status

• letter from Immigration and Refugee Board confirming Convention Refugee or Protected Person status
• Protected Person Status document
• temporary resident permit (case types 86 through 95 only)
• work permit (proof of full-time employment in Ontario is required – restrictions apply)
  • this must be an original document (contract or letter) on employer company letterhead signed and dated by the employer and state:
    • that the employee is working full-time
    • the title/occupation of the position
    • that the employee will be working for the company within Ontario
    • the start date of employment, and
    • that the employer intends to employ the employee for a minimum of six (6) months (the letter can state the employee is permanent. However, this does not replace the criteria to confirm “Full Time”)
• Verification of Status (IMM 5716 or IMM 5715)
• written confirmation from IRCC that you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship under section 5.1 of Canada’s Citizenship Act

https://www.ontario.ca/page/documents-needed-get-health-card#section-0

Sure thanks! Would pay stubs from my six months of employment help me? I was employed first six months on my closed WP.
This might be unrelated, but are there private insurance plans better than OIHP?

 

[scylla]

Sure thanks! Would pay stubs from my six months of employment help me? I was employed first six months on my closed WP.
This might be unrelated, but are there private insurance plans better than OIHP?

You need an actual letter from your employer. Unfortunately pay stubs won't cut it.

I'm not sure what you mean by private insurance plans being better than OHIP. Private insurance plans normally only cover emergencies (unless you pay very high premiums) and also won't cover any pre-existing conditions before you purchased your coverage. So almost certainly your sprain would not be something they cover since it's already happened.

 

[YVR123]

When I go to Service Ontario, they press me for a "letter of employment" when I ask for a health card.

I am currently unemployed and on an open work permit, which I got in April (a BOWP).

I have a closed WP from Oct 19 to July 2022.

When I go to Service Ontario,can I get my health card with Closed work permit? When I present open work permit, they ask for employment letter.
Do they check the current status using their computers?

I just got a very bad sprain, what other options do I have?

Depends on how bad is the sprain. If it doesn't involve surgery, you may visit a physio and pay that out of pocket. (Most physio are not covered by provincial healthcare not sure about OHIP)

 

[kikstaroxy]

I believe all temporary workers are covered by ohip at the hospital regardless of ohip card due to the pandemic. I don't think the hospital will charge any fee

 

[canuck78]

I believe all temporary workers are covered by ohip at the hospital regardless of ohip card due to the pandemic. I don't think the hospital will charge any fee

That is incorrect. Covid treatment will be covered for free. It has also been a week so treatment would have already been accessed at this point.

 

[kikstaroxy]

That is incorrect. Covid treatment will be covered for free.

Well i was seen twice at Osler and thats what i was told they didn't charge me anything. ‍

 

[canuck78]

Well i was seen twice at Osler and thats what i was told they didn't charge me anything. ‍♀

What is your status in Canada? Are you working? Were you seeking treatment for anything similar to covid?

 

[kikstaroxy]

What is your status in Canada? Are you working?

Maintained status since jan 1 2020

 

[canuck78]

Maintained status since jan 1 2020

What does maintained status mean? Are you on a WP, SP, are you working? Did you seek treatment for anything covid related? Why do you not have OHIP?

 

[kikstaroxy]

What does maintained status mean? Are you on a WP, SP, are you working? Did you seek treatment for anything covid related? Why do you not have OHIP?

Its the new term for implied status. I was a student and applied to become a worker and pr. So i didnt have ohip and cant apply until my permit comes.
No nothing covid related

 

[canuck78]

Its the new term for implied status. I was a student and applied to become a worker and pr. So i didnt have ohip and cant apply until my permit comes.
No nothing covid related

So you should still have UHIP. You got lucky they should have charged you. If they allowed any temporary visitor to use healthcare for free they would still need OHIP card # or the hospital can’t bill OHIP and absorbs the cost. Maybe they don’t bother billing people if charge is minimal because it costs more to bill people.

 

[kikstaroxy]

So you should still have UHIP. You got lucky they should have charged you. If they allowed any temporary visitor to use healthcare for free they would still need OHIP card # or the hospital can’t bill OHIP and absorbs the cost.

I dont know how they worked it. But that was what the lady said. Due to the pandemic theyre not charging and then i thought thats what i read in the news too. Because many essential workers are out of status or have maintained status and cant renew their health cards. Im grateful regardless

 

[Copingwithlife]

I dont know how they worked it. But that was what the lady said. Due to the pandemic theyre not charging and then i thought thats what i read in the news too. Because many essential workers are out of status or have maintained status and cant renew their health cards. Im grateful regardless

As mentioned you got lucky . I was at a hospital in East Toronto yesterday. Person in front of me did not have an ohip card, the intake receptionist quoted the fees to be seen, and cash, credit cards or Interac accepted for payment.
There maybe a pandemic, but it’s still not a free for all in the province when it comes to healthcare.
If it was free , then there would not have been a sign posted that stated ;

Holding a valid ohip card amount xxxxx
Not holding a valid ohip card or no card
Xxxxx
Why should I of had to pay for a uninsured service , if it was going to be nothing for a non ohip covered individual?

( The amount SIGNIFICANTLY less expensive if holding a VALID OHIP card )