Important OHIP eligibility info for all PR applicants residing in Ontario

[rotato]

Sorry to bump such an old thread, but my fiance and I are going to be going to Canada soon after we marry and are most worried about OHIP coverage. Since it seems to be that you can get the coverage with an appeal, am I understanding it correctly that applying outland means you can get the coverage and just that most service offices don't understand it correctly? Hence the need to appeal?

Is there anything we can prepare in advance, such as a letter or getting a consent form or something so that we don't have to go through the appeal process? It's going to be a big enough job just rearranging our lives in Canada, let alone having to deal with lengthy government processes.

Thank you!

 

[Panamai]

Ok, I went to the Service Ontario office here in Kingston today and they denied me because I did not have a COPR. I had my AOR, SA, and statutory declaration of common-law union, but they wouldn't accept those. I got the refusal in writing and will try the appeal. My application is in Ottawa right now (my visa office), but I don't think it's been touched. ECAS still says 'application received.' At what point in the process will the appeal even work? Is it too early to do it now? What sort of things should I include in the letter? How do you know if the Service Ontario office you go to is 'corporate' or not? There is one other office here in Kingston I could try and a couple in the nearby towns of Gananoque and Napanee. I'm really disappointed. I tried to get US insurance coverage, thinking I could drive to Alexandria Bay or Watertown, but the site isn't working and it seems that I need a US address anyway. I've been pretty sick lately. I really need OHIP.

 

[ashia]

Panamai, any news?

I will try to get OHIP next week. I already was yesterday at one office, but they told me that I have to go to some other one, because they can't deal with my case.
So, next week I am going to get my refusal

Any news from anybody else, who tried this way?

 

[Panamai]

I got a letter a month or so ago from the OHIP appeal office with the form to allow them to contact CIC. A week or so later, a really friendly lady from the OHIP appeal office called and said she was working on my case and wanted to know if I had any proof of my visitor status in Canada. I'm visa-exempt and came in with a NEXUS card, so I have nothing. She said she was still waiting on CIC to get back to her and I could call back and check on the case anytime. I'm trying to be patient and not bother them. lol I think they said the whole process takes 4-6 weeks at minimum. Depends a lot on how long it takes CIC to get back with them. I'll definitely keep you posted! If I can't get OHIP whilst I'm waiting, I'm hoping that all this will at the very least eliminate the 3 month waiting period when I do get the COPR.

 

[ashia]

yes, this is basically my point as well: to avoid this 3-month waiting period after landing, and to start the clock already, heh
ok, I will write more after my visit as well

 

[ashia]

ok, I went to service ontario yesterday, and same story: they didn't know, they doubted if it works, but the lady called her boss and asked for guidance, and finally gave me some paper with refusal. I am sending it today and will see, what the response will be. In meantime I've got DM, so I hope this whole thing will help me to get health coverage earlier, as I would love to go to eye doctor

 

[ruffy11]

I am planning to land in toronto in august. My wife will be 4 month pregnant. I have checked the eligibility for OHIP card. I understand one requirement where i have to wait for OHIP card for three months but there is another criteria where i have to spend at least 153 days after establishing residency in ontario. so does that means the coverage will start after 153 days or five months although i will have OHIP card after three months. Please clarify.

 

[tofuboi]

You coverage starts 3 months after you land. You must stay in Ontario for a minimum of 153 days within a 12 month period for your OHIP to remain active.

 

[bartjones]

ok, I went to service ontario yesterday, and same story: they didn't know, they doubted if it works, but the lady called her boss and asked for guidance, and finally gave me some paper with refusal. I am sending it today and will see, what the response will be. In meantime I've got DM, so I hope this whole thing will help me to get health coverage earlier, as I would love to go to eye doctor

Your coverage will come sooner if you persist in the appeal process. It doesn't really surprise me that the Service Ontario folks are so poorly informed. Don't worry, the people at the OERC will know exactly what to do.

 

[ashia]

Your coverage will come sooner if you persist in the appeal process. It doesn't really surprise me that the Service Ontario folks are so poorly informed. Don't worry, the people at the OERC will know exactly what to do.

Today I've got mail from OERC, they asked me to fill some form, which gives them access my data from CIC. So I am sending the form back tomorrow, and will see how long it will take. Should I go and apply for health card anyway, or just wait for OERC to come back to me? I also landed 2 days ago, not sure if I should let them know about that in my letter.
Any advice?

 

[bartjones]

Today I've got mail from OERC, they asked me to fill some form, which gives them access my data from CIC. So I am sending the form back tomorrow, and will see how long it will take. Should I go and apply for health card anyway, or just wait for OERC to come back to me? I also landed 2 days ago, not sure if I should let them know about that in my letter.
Any advice?

Just wait until you get a letter from the OERC. It should only take a few weeks and it will tell you exactly what date your coverage commenced. You then take that letter to Service Ontario and they will issue your coverage.

You may need to be persistent when you take that letter to Service Ontario. When I took the OERC letter there with my wife, they still put up a fight, notwithstanding the OERC letter directing them to grant coverage. Stick with it and you'll succeed.

You don't need to tell the OERC that you have now landed. They will see that when they view your history with CIC.

 

[ashia]

ok, thanks for advice

good to know somebody took this path and won with their lack of knowledge

 

[Panamai]

I made my OHIP appeal in April and still haven't heard a decision.. is this typical? Wondering if I should give them a call and find out what's going on..

 

[bartjones]

Yes, call them. That seems too long.

 

[Panamai]

Thanks! I just called and she said a decision letter had been mailed on July 7. Maybe it will arrive today.