COVID-19: Important Updates for OHIP Coverage
- April 3, 2020
- Posted by: olinsadmin
- Categories: Coronavirus, Covid-19, Health Care Ontario, Insurance Toronto, Travel Medical Insurance
Coronavirus pandemic: No one will be discouraged from seeking screening or treatment for coronavirus for financial reasons.
Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
Ontario’s health care system is one of the best in the world. Ontarians who qualify can access a variety of health care services in their community. The ministry covers a wide range of health services; however, it does not pay for services that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery. OHIP pays for most basic medical and emergency services you receive anywhere in Canada as long as you need them for medical reasons. 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.
In the COVID-19 pandemic Ontario expands coverage for care to insure that no one will be discouraged from seeking screening or treatment for coronavirus for financial reasons.
COVID-19: No one will be left without medical care for COVID-19
In the COVID-19 pandemic Ontario expands coverage for care to insure that anyone in need of care can receive it.
Ontario is:
- extending validation periods for OHIP cards: Ontarians with expiring and expired health cards will continue to have access to insured health services
- waiving the three-month waiting period for Ontario Health Insurance Plan coverage
- covering the cost of COVID-19 services for uninsured people who do not meet the criteria for OHIP coverage
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
If you are directly affected by the COVID-19 because you are sick or quarantined and you have not yet applied for EI benefits, please submit your application before contacting us. This will allow us to better serve you and prevent delays in establishing your claim.
If you have already completed the application for EI sickness benefits whether you are sick or quarantined and would like to have the one-week waiting period waived, call the new toll-free phone number below. It is important to note that no other request will be actioned on this phone line. We will take action only for sick or quarantined clients affected by the COVID-19 for which the application for sickness benefits has been filed.
- Telephone: 1-833-381-2725 (toll-free)
- Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-529-3742
Notice on visiting Service Canada offices if you are sick: If you are experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing or you are in self-isolation or quarantine, do not visit or enter any Service Canada office. As an alternative, you may access our services online or by calling 1-800 O-Canada.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is addressing the country as the government considers penalties for Canadian travellers who don’t follow the government’s advice to self-isolate when they return home.
- Individuals who violate the social distancing rule could be fined up to $1,000 while corporations could face fines of up to $500,000, OPP said in a news release.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province protects Ontarians from COVID-19.