A resident of Ontario must have a health card to show that he or she is entitled to health care services paid for by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care pays for a wide range of services, however, it does not pay for services that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery.

Most of your Ontario health benefits are covered across Canada. The province or territory you are visiting will usually bill the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care directly for hospital and physician services. In Quebec, you may have to pay for physician services and then submit your receipt to your local ministry office for payment.

You should contact the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care with any change of address.

If you move to a location outside Ontario, you should inform the ministry of your new address and the date of your move as soon as possible. To inform the ministry of your move, you can either:

•  Obtain a "Change of Information" form and return it by mail. Forms are available from your local OHIP office or from the Forms Online, OR
•  Send a letter to your local OHIP office. You must include your name, health card number, telephone number, current address and new address including postal code.

The ministry will end your OHIP coverage based on the information that you provide.

For further information call the ministry INFOline at 1-800-268-1154.

Additional Information available at: Ontario Health Insurance Plan