Health, including mental health, health card (OHIP), addictions, alternative health...
OHIP and Living outside Canada
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megatitus Posts: 1
Posted On: 11/25/2014
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Been in europe For about 1.5 years now not for pleasure but getting medical treatments and surgeries etc which OHIP and Canadian doctors failed to help me with. I still have everything including permanent residence in Ontario and even renewed my drivers license in May 2014.
My problem is that in Canada I received a Health card re-registration form which I think I have to travel back to do. On this form it wants me to prove my identity, citizenship status and residence in Canada.
Now I read that if I lose my OHIP due to travel I can get it within 3 months of my return to Canada, the problem is that in Europe I got diagnosed with something and need weekly injections. So if I lose OHIP I'll be really in trouble for 3 months after my planned return in January 2015.
I am also receiving other ongoing treatments for PTSD from Canada so any break from treatments might be a real health concern.
I am really stressed out with this situation and hope someone can give me some pointers on how to proceed. I have a couple treatments planned in December in Europe for my shoulder but should I skip them and return to Canada asap? Or can I stay till beginning of January and fly back then?
On the re-registration form there is no due date written so not sure how much time I have.
Thank you.
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Moderator Moderator Posts: 4142
Posted On: 11/26/2014
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Hello,
Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us. We are sorry to hear that you have experienced this.
We can appreciate that you would be very concerned and stressed about this situation.
As you already know, there are certain OHIP eligibility requirements.
They are:
- that you make your primary place of residence in Ontario; and generally, you are in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately following the date you establish residence in Ontario (you cannot be absent for more than 30 days during the first 6 months of residence); and
-you are in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period.
You may be temporarily outside of Canada for a total of 212 days in any 12 month period and still maintain your OHIP coverage as long as your primary place of residence is still in Ontario.
As you mentioned, generally, there is a three-month waiting period for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage. It applies to most new residents and former residents returning to Ontario.
It would not seem that re-registration for OHIP coverage would change the three-month waiting period requirement if the other requirements have not been fulfilled.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care does have extended absence provisions.If it does not apply to you already, it may be helpful to find out if you would be eligible for Continuous OHIP coverage.
Continuous OHIP coverage means that while you are away and upon your return to Canada, there will be no interruption to your insured status with OHIP.
To be eligible for continuous OHIP coverage during your first absence of this type, you must typically be physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days in each of the 2 consecutive years before the absence.
Unfortunately, in order to find out if you are eligible for this type of coverage it is important to confirm your eligibility before you leave Ontario.
It may be best for you to try and contact ServiceOntario directly to find out what your options are in your situation. You may want to try and contact ServiceOntario here:
ServiceOntario
Toll free : 1-866-532-3161
In Toronto, (416) 314-5518
TTY : 1-800-387-5559
Since you are outside Canada, it may be necessary to call the (416) 314-5518 number. Long distance charges will likely apply.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
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Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
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