OHIP coverage for Ontarians while outside Canada

On January 1, 2020, the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) coverage for medical emergency services for Ontarians while outside Canada is ended.

Ontarians urged to get travel insurance as out-of-country OHIP coverage is officially cancelled.

Here, you’ll find out what OHIP covers when you’re temporarily outside Canada.

Out-of-Country OHIP Coverage for Travellers

Ontarians travelling abroad are always encouraged to purchase the appropriate TRAVEL INSURANCE coverage in the event emergency health and doctor services are needed out of country. Many Ontarians already have travel health insurance through their workplace plans or credit cards.

From now on, there are no reimbursement for medical emergency services required to treat conditions that are acute, unexpected, arose outside Canada, and require immediate treatment for the out-of-country travellers (it used to be a maximum of $400/day).

Ambulance services are not covered out of Canada

Ambulance service refers to the use of a land, water, or flying vehicle for transporting sick or injured people to and from places of treatment for an illness or injury.

Out-of-Country Hemodialysis Reimbursement Program

Every Ontarian deserves the opportunity to safely travel abroad. Starting January 1, 2020 Ontario is launching a new program to fund out-of-country dialysis services, ensuring that Ontarians living with kidney failure can continue to receive support for the dialysis care they need when they are travelling outside of Canada.

The Out-of-Country Hemodialysis Reimbursement Program is available to Ontario patients who have hemodialysis treatments at a facility while travelling outside of Canada. It helps offset the costs of these treatments.

The program is effective as of January 1, 2020. It is funded by the Government of Ontario and all funds go towards reimbursing patients.

You will receive the Canadian dollar equivalent of what you paid for each treatment, up to a maximum of $210 Canadian dollars per treatment. There is no maximum number of treatments for which you can submit a claim. You can expect to receive your reimbursement within 6 to 8 weeks after we receive your claim.

Out of Canada for more than 7 months

If you plan to be outside Canada for more than seven months in any 12-month period you can keep your OHIP coverage for up to two years if you:

• have a valid health card
• make Ontario your primary home
• will be in Ontario for at least 153 days a year in each of the two years immediately before you leave the country

Check your health card before you go

You should bring your health card with you if you’re planning to travel outside of Canada, but first, make sure it’s still valid and it will not expired while you are away. A valid Ontario health card has:

• your correct personal information on it (e.g. name, birthdate)
• your current address that’s on file with ServiceOntario

If you’ve moved, you can update your address online with ServiceOntario.

If your name has changed since receiving your current health card, you will need to visit ServiceOntario and bring a form and specific documents.

Before you leave

Before you leave, take the following items to the nearest ServiceOntario centre to make sure your OHIP coverage stays active:

• your health card
• proof of residency (e.g. mortgage, lease or rental agreement, property tax bill, valid driver’s licence)

OHIP coverage while studying outside Canada

If you’re planning to study outside Canada, you can keep your OHIP coverage if you:

• have a valid Ontario health card
• are registered in a full-time academic program (proof is required – e.g. letter from international university or college confirming your enrollment)
• will be in Ontario for at least 153 days a year in each of the two years immediately before you leave the country
• make Ontario your primary home (proof is required – e.g. most recent income tax assessment, utility bill, valid Ontario driver’s licence)

Before you leave

Before you leave, take the following items to the nearest ServiceOntario centre to apply for an academic absence:

• your health card
• proof of residency (e.g. mortgage, lease or rental agreement, property tax bill, valid driver’s licence)
• proof of registration in a full-time academic program outside of Canada (e.g. letter from the international school)

OHIP coverage while working outside Canada

If you’re planning to work (including for a charity) outside Canada on a full-time but temporary basis, you can apply for this coverage if you:

• have a valid Ontario health card
• have proof of full-time position from your employer or sponsoring registered charity (e.g. offer of employment, contract or letter from the charity)
• will be in Ontario for at least 153 days a year in each of the two years immediately before you leave the country

Before you leave

Before you leave take the following items to the nearest ServiceOntario centre to make sure your OHIP coverage stays active:

• your health card
• proof of residency (e.g. mortgage, lease or rental agreement, property tax bill, valid driver’s licence)
• proof of employment or charity work (e.g. contract/letter from employer/charity)

OHIP coverage for family members

If you’re leaving Canada for full-time study or work only, immediate family members who travel with you may also be able to keep their OHIP coverage. This includes:

• your spouse
• dependent children under 22 years of age
• adult children over 22 years of age if they depend on you financially due to mental or physical disability

Sources:

• https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=29390&language=en
• https://www.ontario.ca/page/ohip-coverage-while-outside-canada
• http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/outcountry_services.aspx
• http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/outofcountry/travellers.aspx