O.H.I.P. CARD is also very important. Under the Health Insurance Act, all residents of Ontario receive health coverage. This entitles you to a wide range of free medical services, hospitalization, etc. (except drugs, dental care, some cosmetic surgeries etc.). This coverage may vary in other provinces. In order to get a complete list of information you have to contact the nearest Ministry of Health office. Every member of your family who is a resident of Ontario may need to fill out a separate application form. The officers will normally ask for a S.I.N. card and a valid address confirmed by a building manager or superintendent. Sometimes you may apply by saying that you live with a friend and the apartment is in his/her name. Click here to read more about the O.H.I.P. CARD.

Go early in the morning (before 8:00 a.m.) and take all documents with you. You may find a lot of people waiting. The office opens at 9:00 a.m. This schedule is subject to changes depending on their load.

The Ontario Ministry of Health will inform you when your health coverage begins. The Health Card usually gets delivered in three months. It has your picture and a Number on it. You can take a copy of the card with you and keep the original card in a safe place. You need the original when you visit a doctor or when you go to the hospital.

For the period of 2-3 months when you are not covered you may consider buying insurance. We, as many others, did not buy health coverage for the first few months.

For those who are over 65 years of age the card is called Health 65 and provides more benefits than the regular Health Card. Apply for the O.H.I.P. card at one location of Ministry of Health (some addresses in Toronto Area)

• Toronto, 47 Sheppard Avenue East,4th Floor (416)314-5518
• North York, 4400 Dufferin Street, M3H 6A8 (905) 275-2730
• Scarborough, 2063 Lawrence Ave. East, M1R 2Z4 (416) 482-1111. Click here for the complete list of offices