OHIP is Ontario’s health care plan. Through OHIP, the province pays for many of the health services you may need. You need to apply and, once you’re approved, you’ll get an Ontario health card. Your health card proves you’re covered by OHIP – that’s why you’ll need to show it every time you see your doctor, visit an emergency room, have a medical test or go for surgery.
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) pays for many health services you may need.
There is no longer a waiting period for OHIP coverage. If you are eligible, you will have immediate health insurance coverage. Find out if you qualify.
Services Covered by OHIP
OHIP covers part or all of the following services:
- visits to doctors
- hospital visits and stays
- medical or surgical abortions
- eligible dental surgery in hospital
- eligible optometry (eye-health services)
- podiatry (foot-health services)
- ambulance services
- travel for health services if you live in northern Ontario
OHIP Does not Cover:
- Prescription drugs for 25 years and older
- Dental care
- Eye care or eyeglasses
- Services that are not medically necessary (e.g. cosmetic surgery)
The Ontario Government’s website includes a list detailing what is covered by OHIP
Does OHIP Cover Physiotherapy?
In some cases, yes!
Government-funded physiotherapy helps patients recover from illness, surgery or injury.
The Ontario government covers physiotherapy for seniors, youth and some other patients.
To be eligible you must have a doctor’s referral and be younger than 19 or older than 65 years old, be receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program or family works or have stayed overnight in a hospital for a problem that requires physiotherapy care.
Not all clinics are authorized to provide government-funded care so it’s important to do your research.
Visit the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario website: www.collegept.org and search OHIP in the search bar Or call 1-800-583-5885 extension 241 or email [email protected].
What Does the O in OHIP Mean
We take for granted that the Ontario health card or OHIP covers many of our medical expenses here in Ontario, but what kind of coverage does it get us in other Canadian provinces? We put travel insurance on our list for international travel but do we need it within Canada? Let us answer some of those questions as to why travel insurance is important and share with you what you need to know when traveling within Canada. Should we purchase supplementary travel insurance when traveling within Canada? OHIP recommends you get travel insurance for out-of-province travel. It is important that while traveling you have adequate coverage and it’s not just insurance providers recommending additional coverage. OHIP recommends it too.
Should we carry my OHIP card when traveling within Canada? The answer is yes, you should carry your health card with you and be prepared to show it. Keep in mind that OHIP may not provide you with the same coverage in other provinces that it does at home. Here are three tips to help you travel with confidence across Canada.
- Check your OHIP card before you go. Check that your card hasn’t expired and won’t expire while you’re away. If you’ve moved, make sure your address is correct on your card.
- Be prepared to pay upfront for any medical costs. For the most part, any medical costs that you incur while you’re away will need to be paid upfront. You may be covered by OHIP for things such as an appointment with a doctor or walk-in clinic or a hospital visit. You may not be covered by OHIP for ambulance services, including air ambulance, which can be very costly and may be required to bring you back to Ontario, prescription drugs other than at the hospital, vision wear and dental emergencies, diagnostic or lab services other than if you’re at the hospital.
- Consider supplementary travel insurance. You may have to pay for services on-site while you’re away, even if you show your card as your doctor may charge you upfront. This is something you should especially be aware of when traveling in Quebec as there is no reciprocal agreement between Ontario and Quebec. Having supplementary travel insurance coverage may prevent you from paying out-of-pocket expenses.
What is the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
At some point in our lives, many of us will need to see a physiotherapist.
If you’re recovering from an illness, an injury, or an operation, you might already be a patient.
Physiotherapy is one of Ontario’s self-regulated health professions. This means it has a governing body, which is called the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
As a regulatory college, our mission is to ensure that all patients receive safe, competent, and ethical care.
This does by licensing and registering physiotherapists; developing the rules and standards that all physiotherapists must follow; investigating complaints or concerns, taking action when needed; and giving the public access to information they require by maintaining a Public Register, which is an online list of all licensed physiotherapists in the province.
the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario offers a physiotherapy information advisory service to anyone who has questions or needs advice.
This is open to patients, caregivers, employers, insurers, physiotherapist assistants, students and physiotherapists.
Advisors respond by phone or email and the service is free and confidential.
Like other health professions, physiotherapy is continually evolving.
The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario protects patients by making sure that all physiotherapists continue to grow, adapt, and learn.
To learn more about a physiotherapist, to make a complaint or express a concern, or ask for advice about your care, visit the website at collegept.org.
