When traveling outside of Canada, most Canadians are aware of the significance of acquiring travel protection such as cancellation and medical insurance. When traveling within Canada, however, many Canadians do not consider getting medical insurance.
TICO does not sell travel insurance, however we do encourage that travelers consider acquiring travel protection to ensure that their travels are FANTAS-TICO.
Do I need insurance to travel between provinces?
Yes, albeit it depends on your particular health status, as not all provinces provide the same level of coverage. Because of the disparity in coverage between regions, you may have to pay for services yourself. Some expenses may be reimbursed by your home province, however this is not always the case.
Does OHIP cover travel within Canada?
An insured person can continue to get OHIP coverage for up to 12 months after leaving Ontario to travel or work temporarily within Canada. If you decide to make another Canadian province or territory your permanent home, you should apply for health insurance there.
Does OHIP cover travel to another province?
To be clear, when you travel from Ontario to other provinces or territories, your OHIP coverage follows you.
If you have OHIP, you are covered for basic health care in most of Canada. Even if you are not in Ontario, keep your OHIP card with you. To receive medical treatment and perhaps have your costs covered, you must show this card to the doctor.
You’ll be covered for some of the same services you’re insured for in Ontario when you show your valid Ontario health card in another Canadian province or territory, including:
- In a public hospital, services are offered (e.g. emergency, diagnostic, laboratory)
- To be covered by OHIP, any service or treatment you obtain in another Canadian province or territory must be medically essential.
Do Canadians need out of province medical insurance?
All provinces and territories are required by the Canada Health Act to give GHIP coverage to people who are temporarily outside of Canada. Each province has its own set of rules on how long you can be away from home and still be covered.
Should I get travel insurance for domestic trips?
Travel insurance is designed to suit the unique demands of travelers in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. It safeguards them against financial damages in the event of a medical emergency, death, or the loss of a passport or baggage, among other things. Travel insurance becomes more or less required if you are traveling abroad, as many countries make it mandatory to obtain travel insurance. Travelers who are traveling overseas ensure that they purchase travel insurance, but most people who are traveling domestically do not. Domestic travel insurance, on the other hand, is just as important as international travel insurance.
Your imagination begins to envision joyful moments whenever or wherever you travel, but in fact, things can occasionally become confusing and unwanted. Travel insurance protects not only you but also your stuff. If something unexpected happens on your journey, whether it’s a domestic or foreign trip, insurance can provide some relief and make dealing with emergencies less stressful. Consider the following reasons why insurance is required even for domestic travel:
Domestic travel insurance becomes extremely important in some cases such as:
Trip cancellation: To prevent additional inconvenience, most individuals nowadays prefer to book their tickets, hotels, and cabs in advance. If you get sick or face an unforeseen circumstance, travel insurance will cover you and provide a reimbursement of your trip costs.
Luggage loss: The risk of losing luggage on a local flight is the same as it is on an international aircraft. However, an insurance policy can protect you against this.
Medical emergencies: Medical treatment, evacuation, and personal accidents are all covered by domestic travel insurance.
What Domestic Travel Insurance Offers:
Medical or accidental coverage: Travel insurance covers medical situations such as accidents or other health difficulties. This function is especially important for those who do not have or have minimal medical coverage.
Flight cancellation or delay: When your flight is delayed or cancelled, it is not only inconvenient, but it can also be expensive if you miss your connecting flight or hotel reservation. You will be compensated for any delays or cancellations if you have travel insurance.
Loss of baggage: If you are concerned about losing your luggage while traveling, travel insurance may be a solution for you. Even though most airlines have compensation plans in place for lost luggage, this may not be enough to cover the cost of your things. In the event that your luggage is lost, travel insurance provides total coverage.
Personal liability insurance is a relatively new product offered by insurance providers. This feature protects you from causing damage to other people’s property by accident. It is perfect for individuals traveling with children, as youngsters are naturally curious and can often cause damage to other people’s property.
Travel insurance comes in a variety of forms, including one-time travel, frequent travel, and so on. You can choose the ones that best fit your needs. If you’re going on a brief vacation, for example, you won’t need long-term travel insurance. Long-term travel insurance, on the other hand, will be a better alternative if you are a frequent traveler.
Travel insurance is more common for overseas vacations because they are more expensive. However, unforeseen costs incurred as a result of medical emergency, accidents, trip cancellation, baggage loss, and other factors might create aggravation during domestic travel. Domestic insurance is not required, but it can be quite beneficial. So, anytime you travel within the country, remember to purchase cost-effective travel insurance. A small investment in travel insurance might save you a lot of money if you find yourself in an unexpectedly difficult circumstance.
The preceding information is provided solely for the purpose of illustration. Before finalizing the sale, please see the policy wordings and prospectus for further information.
What happens if you get sick in another province?
If you become unwell while traveling within Canada, it is usually rather simple to obtain quick medical care without having to pay for it. The reason for this is that, with the exception of Quebec, all provinces and territories signed an Interprovincial Billing Agreement under which the host province promises to cover the cost of any medically necessary service and then bill the home province for reimbursement.
However, when you travel outside of your home province, there are certain variances in your coverage. Understanding these distinctions can save you money by preventing you from incurring unneeded costs.
Medically essential health care services are normally covered when traveling inside Canada, according to the Canada Health Act. In other words, if you become ill or have an accident in another province, you will most likely be covered for hospital and medical services. Additional services, such as ambulance transport, hospital transfers, or transportation back to your home province, will not be paid. If you have access to private group insurance (for example, through your employment), check to see if your plan covers you. If you wish to avoid paying for these services out of pocket, a private insurance firm may be able to help.
Because Quebec did not sign the interprovincial billing agreement, any medical services you obtain there will almost certainly be paid upfront. When you return home, you can usually file a claim for reimbursement with your local provincial ministry of health. Remember that your provincial ministry may demand special paperwork, such as service receipts. For more information, you should contact your home province. You may have to pay the difference in cost because the cost of medical treatments differs by province. Despite the fact that Quebec is not a member of the interprovincial billing agreement, Quebec residents who become ill while visiting another province are likely to be paid for hospital and physician treatments. A doctor, on the other hand, may request that you pay for your treatment in advance. You must submit your receipts to the Régie upon your return to Quebec, and the Régie will compensate you for applicable services at Quebec rates.
When traveling, have your provincial health card with you at all times because you will be asked to display it. Your health card serves as confirmation that you are covered by a provincial health plan. If you don’t produce your insurance card, the doctor’s office may require you to pay for services in advance. If this happens, your province of residency may be able to reimburse you. Just keep an original copy of the receipt and proof of payment on hand in case your province requests them. All provinces and territories have their own regulations, and you may be required to fill out additional documents in some situations.
How does OHIP know if you are out of province?
What exactly is OHIP? It is a privilege that Ontarians enjoy: they have free access to a wide range of medical treatments thanks to OHIP, which is funded by Ontario and federal taxes. The wonders of publicly sponsored health care!
You will still have access to certain hospital services if you are outside of Ontario, such as in some other Canadian provinces, but they must be medically required. A walk-in clinic or a public hospital are both available to you.
All services not covered by OHIP in the province will not be covered by OHIP outside of the province or nation, as the name implies.
One question that Canadians have is if OHIP knows when they are out of province or out of the nation; as previously stated, OHIP has no way of knowing unless you submit your travel plans to them.
However, a scheme is being implemented that will send exit passport data to OHIP in order to combat health care fraud by snowbirds and other Canadians.
These people no longer live in Canada, but they return on occasion to use the health-care facilities and services, putting a strain on Canadian health-care resources.
For the time being, there is no indication of when the program will be implemented, but it is a good reminder to consider travel insurance for those days when you will be out of the nation for an extended period of time.
OHIP-covered services are eligible for reimbursement, especially if you paid for them after January 1, 2020.
You can claim your expenses back by filling out a form on the Ontario government’s website. You can also submit your claim via email or mail.
Out of Country Health Services
The Ministry of Health is restoring OHIP coverage for emergency OOC hospital, health facility, and doctor services retroactive to January 1, 2020, at the same reimbursement rates and coverage criteria that were in place prior to the cancellation of the OOCTravellers Program (treatment is for medical conditions that are acute and unexpected, arose while outside the country, and require immediate treatment) for Ontarians traveling outside of Canada.
If you obtain emergency health services while traveling outside of Canada, OHIP will only cover a portion of the costs.
How long does OHIP cover you out-of-province?
If you continue to make Ontario your primary place of residence, you can be out of the province for up to 212 days in any 12-month period and still keep your Ontariohealth insurance coverage.
You must be an eligible resident of Ontario to remain eligible for OHIP coverage.
As a result, you must:
- be physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days following the province’s establishment of residency; and
Please refer to the Longer Absences from Ontario fact sheet if you will be away of the province for more than 212 days in any 12-month period.
Q. I am frequently away from Ontario, due to my job/studies; am I eligible for OHIP coverage?
You may still be eligible for OHIP coverage as a mobile worker or mobile student if your employment or studies require you to leave Ontario frequently and you are unable to be present for 153 days in any 12-month period. If you want to keep your OHIP coverage, you need do the following:
- be able to establish that your job needs regular travel in and out of Ontario, or that your full-time academic program in Ontario necessitates travel outside of Ontario; and
- be able to present suitable paperwork demonstrating how you make Ontario your primary residence (refer to OntarioHealth Coverage Document List).
New or returning residents to Ontario who qualify as a mobile worker or mobile student are excluded from having to meet the 153-day physical presence requirement within the first 183 days of residency.
Q. Are open work permit holders and/or participants in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program affected by the regulation change?
Open work permit holders (including those in CIC’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program) may be eligible for Ontario health insurance coverage if they work full-time for a minimum of six months for an employer in Ontario, have a valid work permit throughout that period, and:
- In every 12-month period, you must be physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days; and
- After establishing residency in Ontario, you must be physically present in the province for 153 of the first 183 days.
A fact sheet titled “Temporary Foreign Workers” has more information on the changes affecting temporary foreign workers.
Q. Are internationally adopted children exempt from the 3-month waiting period?
Regulation 552 of the Health Insurance Act was amended on April 1, 2009, to exempt children adopted overseas by Ontario residents from the three-month waiting period for Ontario health insurance coverage (OHIP).
- If a child under the age of 16 is adopted outside of Canada by an Ontario resident, the three-month waiting period for Ontario health insurance coverage will be waived if they match the following two criteria:
- The child is eligible for OHIP because of his or her citizenship or immigration status.
- Regulation 552 of the Health Insurance Act lists OHIP-eligible citizenship/immigrationstatuses; more information on this topic can be found in the fact sheet OHIPEligibility.
- The adoptive parents can show that they have gotten director approval of their overseas adoption under Ontario’s IntercountryAdoption Act, which is supplied by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
- If a kid under the age of 16 will be adopted in Ontario from another country, the three-month waiting period for Ontario health insurance coverage will be waived if they match the following two criteria:
- Under Ontario’s Childand Family Services Act, adoptive parents can present proof that they have gotten director permission from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services for their foreign adoption (CFSA).
A fact sheet titled International Adoptions and OHIP Eligibility provides more information on the changes affecting adoptions. The above is merely a summary of Regulation 552’s OHIP eligibility rules for your convenience. For the exact regulations that apply to you, you should study the actual rule. This summary is superseded by the provisions of Regulation 552.
Q. Am I eligible for Ontario Health Insurance?
If you fall into one of the following categories, you may be eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP):
- You are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a landed immigrant, or an Indian as defined by the Indian Act;
- You have applied for permanent residence in Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada has determined that you match the eligibility conditions;
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for citizenship (i.e. children adopted internationally by Canadian citizens); you have applied for citizenship under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act (Canada), and Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for citizenship (i.e. children adopted internationally by Canadian citizens);
- You are a “protected person” under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which means you are a Convention Refugee or a person in need of protection.
- You are a foreign worker with a valid work permit for at least six months that allows you to work in Canada, and you are working full-time for an employer in Ontario under a documented agreement that specifies the employer’s name, your occupation, and that you will be working for at least six months;
- you will be giving services to a religious congregation in Ontario for at least six months as a foreign clergy member;
- you have a Temporary Resident Permit with case type 80 (for adoption only), 86, 87,88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, or 95; you have a Temporary Resident Permit with case type 80 (for adoption alone), 86, 87,88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, or 95; you have a Tempo
- You are the spouse, same-sex partner, or dependent child (under 22 years old or 22 years and above if dependant owing to a mental or physical handicap) of an OHIP-eligible foreign clergy member or foreign worker;
- you have a valid Seasonal Agricultural Worker Permit from the federal government;
- you are in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days following the date you establish residence in Ontario (you cannot be absent for more than 30 days during the first 6 months of residence); you are in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days following the date you establish residence in Ontario; you are in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days following the date you establish residence in Ontario; you are in
Your continued eligibility for Ontario health insurance coverage is completely determined by your OHIP-eligible citizenship or immigration status, as well as your ability to:
being physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period
The above is merely a summary of Regulation 552’s OHIP eligibility rules for your convenience. For the precise criteria that apply to you, you should reference the actualregulation. This summary is superseded by the provisions of Regulation 552.
Everyone, including babies and children, is required to have a health card.
Carry your health card with you at all times. You should be able to present it whenever you require medical assistance.
Q. How do I get an Ontario health card?
If you’ve never had an Ontario health card, you’ll need to apply for OHIP before you can acquire one. To apply, follow these steps:
Inquire about office locations by calling ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-532-3161.
What documents should I bring when I register?
You must present three original documents to show your OHIP-eligible citizenship/immigration status, your residence in Ontario, and your identity when applying for a new health card.
- A list of documents required to register can be found in the Ontario Health Coverage Document List (PDF).
Refer to the fact sheet MilitaryFamily Members and the MilitaryFamily Member Document List if you are a member of a military family.
Contact ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 or visit your local ServiceOntario Centre if you have any questions regarding what documents to bring with you when you register for OHIP coverage.
Q. What immigration documents must I present to confirm my immigration status as an Applicant for Permanent Residence (previously called an Applicant for Landing) when applying for Ontario health insurance coverage?
If you’re applying for Ontario health insurance as a Permanent Resident, you’ll need to show formal certification from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that you’re qualified to apply for permanent residency in Canada, which might be one of the following:
- CICConfirmation Letter – a letter on CIC letterhead addressed to the Permanent Resident Applicant that confirms the applicant’s eligibility to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
- A CIC immigration document, such as a Work Permit, Visitor Record, Temporary Resident Permit, or Study Permit, with a remark in the “Remarks Section” indicating that you have filed for permanent residence in Canada and that CIC has confirmed that you match the qualifying requirements.
Q. How do I change my name on my health card to my married name?
To update your health card with your married name, go to a ServiceOntario center, fill out a Change of Information (form 0280-82), and bring the original of one of the following documents:
- Marriage Certificate (signed by a Clergy member, Judge or Justice of the Peace or Canadian government)
- The names of both spouses are listed on the original marriage document, which was issued outside of Ontario.
- A marriage record form (signed by the Clergy member, Judge or Justice of the Peace of Canadian government)
If you want to change your name to reflect a ‘common-law’ marriage, go to a ServiceOntario center, fill out a Change of Information (form 0280-82), and bring the original of one of the following documents:
- Affidavit of the facts supporting the use of the ‘common-law’ surname that has been notarized
In order to change your name, you must convert to a photo health card if you do not already have one. Three original documents proving citizenship, residence in Ontario, and identity will be required.
Call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 if you have any questions about your individual circumstance.
Q. How do I change my name on my health card upon dissolution of my marriage?
To alter your name on your photo health card to reflect your maiden name or a prior married name, go to a ServiceOntario center, fill out a Change of Information (form 0280-82), and bring the original of one of the following documents:
- A divorce certificate that includes both your previous and desired names.
- A marriage certificate that incorporates both your previous and desired names.
You must also produce three original documents to show citizenship, Ontario residence, and identification if you do not already have a photo health card.
Call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 if you have any questions about your individual circumstance.
Q. I have had my name legally changed, how do I have my new name put on my health card?
To change your legal name on your health card, go to a ServiceOntario Centre, fill out a Change of Information (form 0280-82), and bring the original of one of the following documents:
Q. What if my red and white health card is lost, stolen or damaged?
You’ll need to switch to a photo health card to replace your red and white health card. To convert your card, follow these steps:
- Three original documents proving citizenship/immigration status, Ontario residency, and identification are required. You may be requested to supply extra documents, such as a marriage certificate or a change of name certificate, if your name has changed.
Visit ServiceOntario.ca/locations for information on ServiceOntario locations in your region, or call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-532-3161.
If you find your reported lost or stolen health card, store it until your new photo health card arrives in the mail, then discard it because it is no longer valid. Before deleting the old health card, make sure you have your new photo health card.
Q. What if my photo health card is lost, stolen or damaged?
The ServiceOntario INFOline can be reached at 1-866-532-3161. To report a lost, stolen, or damaged health card, call 1-800-387-5559 for TTY access.
If the card is a photo health card, you will receive a replacement straight quickly, but if you have any other changes to your information, such as a change of residence or name, you must visit a ServiceOntario center.
Call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 for information about ServiceOntario locations in your area.
Q. My photo health card has expired. How do I renew my health card?
The expiration date on your photo health card is related to your date of birth. When you apply for a photo health card for the first time, the expiration date can be anywhere from two to seven years away. The renewal date for your photo health card will always be five years in the future and connected to your date of birth.
Renewal letters for photo health cards are mailed around two months before the expiry date displayed on the front of the card; however, you can renew up to six months before the expiry date if it is more convenient.
Q. How do I renew my child’s health card?
Children under the age of 15 1/2 are free from both photo and signature requirements on their health cards.
The renewal notice for your child’s photo health card will be mailed approximately two months prior to the expiration date printed on the front of the card.
In most situations, children under the age of 15 1/2 can renew their health card by filling and signing the reverse of the renewal notice for the kid and returning it to the ministry in the pre-addressed envelope.
Following receipt of the completed application, you will receive your child’s renewed health card in the mail in about six weeks. Until the replacement card comes, display your child’s current health card while accessing insured health services.
If a parent or guardian must visit a ServiceOntario Centre or Outreach location to submit their own proof of residency and identification to support the renewal of their child’s health card, the notice will state so on the child’s renewal notice.
If your child’s health card is about to expire around the age of 16, he or she must go to a ServiceOntario center in person to have their photo and signature taken.
Original paperwork specified on the Ontario Health Coverage Document List must be brought by your child (form 9998E-82).
Q. I have a red and white health card.Do I need a photo health card?
Both a red-and-white and a photo health card are acceptable as long as they are current.
and they are yours.
When you receive a letter recommending that you switch to a photo health card, you must do so.
Q. What if I forget to bring my health card when I go for health care?
If you don’t have a health card, you might be charged for a service. If it was an OHIP-insured service and you can later establish that you were covered by OHIP at the time of the service, the ministry requests that the provider compensate you for the service.
Your health care provider may ask you to sign a Health Number Release (form 1265-84) to give them permission to share your health number with the ministry.
Q. What should I do if I move?
It’s critical that ServiceOntario has your current address in order to keep your coverage active and to communicate with you directly.
- Obtain a Change of Address form (1057-82), fill it out, and mail it back to us. Forms can be obtained at your local ServiceOntario center or online at Forms Online.
- Send a letter to the ServiceOntario center in your area. Your name, health number, phone number, present address, and new address with postal code must all be included.
You will obtain a new card if you have a photo health card and change your home address. The reverse of the card will not include your address.
If you have a red and white health card or a photo health card with no address on the back, you can keep it and the ministry’s database will be updated with your new address.
Q. Why is it important for me to notify the ministry when I move?
To keep your coverage active, it’s critical that the ministry has your current address.
Your current address is required by ServiceOntario in order for you to get information that is mailed to you, such as renewal notices.
Although you can alert your health-care provider of a change of address, this information is not always forwarded to the government or ServiceOntario. You should notify ServiceOntario of your new address directly.
Q. What if I know of someone using a health card that is not theirs?
Receiving insured health treatment while you are not covered by insurance is illegal.
Call the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Fraud Line at 1-888-781-5556 to report it.
Q. What services does OHIP cover?
For those under the age of 20 and those 65 and above, an annual eye checkup is covered by OHIP. For people aged 20 to 64 who have medical issues that necessitate regular eye tests, OHIP additionally covers a major eye checkup once every 12 months.
Does OHIP cover me when I am outside Ontario?
In a 12-month period, you can stay outside of Canada for up to 212 days and still be covered by your OHIP. You can apply for continuous OHIP eligibility if you will be absent for more than 212 days. This means that even though you will be away of the nation for more than 212 days, you wish to preserve your OHIP coverage.