OHIP, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, pays for medically necessary health care, from doctor visits to emergency care. If you are new to Ontario or never had a health card, learning how to apply for OHIP is an important first step.
At Friendship House in Brantford, we meet newcomers and neighbours who are sorting out their paperwork. We do not run OHIP, but this guide explains who qualifies and what to bring.
Quick answer
How do I apply for OHIP?
Apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre. Bring a completed Registration for Ontario Health Insurance Coverage form and 3 separate original documents: proof of citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status, proof that you live in Ontario and proof of identity. There is no longer a waiting period: if you are eligible, coverage starts right away.
What OHIP covers
According to Ontario.ca’s apply for OHIP page (opens in a new tab), OHIP covers medically necessary services, such as visits to a family doctor or walk-in clinic, emergency room visits, medical tests and surgeries. Cosmetic surgery is not covered.
Some health costs, such as most adult dental care and glasses, are not covered by OHIP. Our guides on free eye exams in Ontario (opens in a new tab) and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (opens in a new tab) explain help with those.
Who is eligible
Ontario.ca says you must meet all of the minimum requirements and at least one additional requirement.
- Be physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period.
- Be in Ontario for at least 153 of the first 183 days after you began living here.
- Make Ontario your primary place of residence.
Additional requirements include being a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a person registered under the Indian Act. Some other groups, such as certain work permit holders and protected persons, can also qualify, and some exceptions apply.
No more waiting period
Ontario.ca says there is no longer a waiting period for OHIP coverage. If you are eligible, your coverage starts right away, so there is no reason to put off applying once you have your documents.
The three documents you need
| Document type | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Proof of citizenship or immigration status | That you are eligible for OHIP |
| Proof of residency | That you live in Ontario |
| Proof of identity | Who you are |
Bring three separate original documents, one for each type. Photocopies are not accepted. Ontario.ca has a list of acceptable documents for each type, so check it before you go.
How to apply, step by step
- Fill out the Registration for Ontario Health Insurance Coverage form.
- Gather your three original documents.
- Visit a ServiceOntario centre in person; you must apply in person.
- Keep any receipt or paperwork you are given.
- Watch your mail for your health card.
Newborn babies
Babies born in Ontario can be registered through the hospital or a registered midwife. Ontario.ca says their health card is mailed within 8 weeks of the infant registration form being submitted.
While you wait for your card
If you are eligible, Ontario.ca says coverage starts right away. If a clinic asks about your coverage before your card arrives, ask ServiceOntario what you can show them.
For health advice any time, call 811. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
After you get your card
- Keep your card in a safe place.
- Register with Health Care Connect to find a family doctor; see how to find a family doctor in Ontario (opens in a new tab).
- Renew your card before it expires.
- Report a lost or stolen card quickly; see how to replace lost ID in Ontario (opens in a new tab).
Tips for your ServiceOntario visit
- Fill out the registration form before you go, to save time.
- Check Ontario.ca’s list of acceptable documents for each of the three types.
- Bring originals, not photocopies, in a folder.
- Bring someone who can help with language if you need it.
- Ask when to expect your card and what to do if it does not arrive.
If you are missing a document, ask ServiceOntario which other documents are accepted before you give up. Our guide on how to replace lost ID in Ontario (opens in a new tab) explains how to replace a birth certificate.
Proof of residency ideas
Proof that you live in Ontario must be a document on Ontario.ca’s list of acceptable documents. Check the list carefully before your visit.
If you are staying with someone else or in a shelter, ask ServiceOntario what you can use. Keep any letters you receive at your address in a safe place, since they may help.
Keeping your coverage
- Keep your address up to date with ServiceOntario.
- Renew your card before it expires.
- Keep making Ontario your primary place of residence, and spend at least 153 days a year in the province.
- Ask ServiceOntario before a long trip outside Ontario, so you understand how it affects your coverage.
What OHIP does not cover
OHIP pays for medically necessary care, but not everything. Cosmetic surgery is not covered, and many other costs, such as prescription drugs for most adults, glasses and most dental care, are paid in other ways.
Programs can help with some of these costs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which programs might fit your situation, and keep your receipts in case you can claim them later. See our guides to the Trillium Drug Program (opens in a new tab) for prescription costs and the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (opens in a new tab).
Children and teens
Each person in your family needs their own health card. Keep everyone’s card number in a safe place at home, so you have it handy for appointments and forms. When you apply for yourself, ask ServiceOntario about applying for your children at the same time.
OHIP covers children too, and teens 19 and under can get a yearly eye exam; see free eye exams in Ontario (opens in a new tab).
Help for newcomers
If you are new to Brantford, our guide on how to welcome newcomers to your community (opens in a new tab) lists local supports. You may also need a Social Insurance Number; see how to apply for a Social Insurance Number (opens in a new tab).
Free help in Brantford
Friendship House at 452 Grey Street serves coffee, tea and a light breakfast from 8 a.m. and a hot meal Monday to Thursday, 10 to 11 a.m., and runs the Food Bank on Wednesdays (opens in a new tab). Everything is free and open to everyone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for OHIP?
Apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre with a completed registration form and 3 original documents.
Is there a waiting period for OHIP?
No. Ontario.ca says there is no longer a waiting period. If you are eligible, coverage starts right away.
What documents do I need for OHIP?
Proof of citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status, proof of residency in Ontario and proof of identity, all originals.
How many days do I need to be in Ontario for OHIP?
You must be physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period, and 153 of the first 183 days after you began living here.
What does OHIP cover?
Medically necessary services, such as doctor and walk-in clinic visits, emergency room visits, medical tests and surgeries. Cosmetic surgery is not covered.
A health card is your key to health care in Ontario. Gather your documents, visit ServiceOntario, and visit our free services at Friendship House (opens in a new tab) whenever you need a warm meal.
