Returning to Canada - OHIP coverage

[pete6256]

Hey, I was looking for some help regarding OHIP and I seem to be seeing conflicting information online.

I'm a Canadian citizen returning to Ontario in a couple of months after living abroad in the UK for about 2 years. I need to have some sort of health insurance coverage when I get back. Am I eligible or can I apply for OHIP immediately on my return?

I seem to be seeing something about a 3 month, or possibly 6 month residency requirement before I can apply for an OHIP card. Does this mean I need to buy my own private health insurance for the intervening period while I wait to meet the residency requirements? If anyone has any recommendations on insurance companies, that would be appreciated.

 

[armoured]

You can apply immediately on return. For new residents (and returning is new), the six month (or 153 days or whatever it is) can be in future - that is "I have moved here and am staying."

I don't recall whether Ontario has reinstated the 3 month waiting period before coverage kicks in. (Check the website!). So it may be useful to have interim coverage, like traveller's.

 

[pete6256]

Thanks for response mate. Sounds like all I have to do is apply for OHIP as soon as I arrive.

 

[armoured]

Thanks for response mate. Sounds like all I have to do is apply for OHIP as soon as I arrive.

Pretty much. The way they phrase it is "be physically in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after you began living in the province", i.e. as long as you're staying, you're okay. (Leave and they can come after you for costs incurred)

https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card

And yep, no waiting period: "There is no longer a waiting period for OHIP coverage. If you are eligible, you will have immediate health insurance coverage."

Note, getting a family doctor is not easy. But with the OHIP, you can go to a walk-in clinic (or hospital) and it's covered.

Also: pay attention to what you need to show for an address (basically a lease or driver's license or other post with an address). And to get the driver's license, you'll need something similar anyway, so do both.