
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) provides health care services to residents of Ontario. If you are a resident of Ontario and have been for at least three months, you are entitled to health care services paid for by OHIP. OHIP covers medically necessary services, including doctor's visits, virtual visits, and certain medications and tests. However, it does not cover all tests and procedures, and there may be out-of-pocket charges for some services. In Toronto, if you do not have OHIP, you are considered uninsured and will need to pay for the services you receive at hospitals and clinics. Some private clinics in Toronto may accept OHIP, but it is important to note that there have been concerns raised about the potential impact on staffing and the public healthcare system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do private hospitals in Toronto accept OHIP? | Private clinics in Toronto are allowed to conduct OHIP-covered surgeries. |
| What is OHIP? | OHIP stands for Ontario Health Insurance Plan. |
| Who is eligible for OHIP? | If you have been a resident of Ontario for three months, you are entitled to health care services paid for by OHIP. |
| What does OHIP cover? | OHIP covers the full cost of medically necessary services, including in-person and virtual visits. It also covers certain medications and medically necessary lab tests. |
| What is not covered by OHIP? | OHIP does not cover some specialized, non-routine tests and certain prescription drugs provided in non-hospital settings. |
| What are the alternatives if someone is ineligible for OHIP? | Community Health Centers and the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provide alternatives for those who are ineligible for OHIP or do not have private insurance. |
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What You'll Learn
- OHIP covers medically necessary services, including virtual visits
- Private or semi-private rooms are not covered by OHIP
- OHIP covers lab tests in hospitals, but non-routine tests may not be covered
- OHIP might help cover travel and accommodation for specialized medical care
- OHIP covers eye treatments for eligible patients with certain conditions

OHIP covers medically necessary services, including virtual visits
OHIP, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, is the public health care plan of the province of Ontario. It provides free healthcare services and benefits to residents of Ontario who have been living in the province for at least three months and possess an OHIP card. OHIP covers medically necessary services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, diagnostics, certain dental surgeries, and more.
OHIP covers the full cost of medically necessary services, including in-person and virtual visits delivered by video or telephone. This means that if you visit your doctor or see one in a walk-in clinic, OHIP will cover the full cost of your services as long as they are deemed medically necessary. OHIP also covers medically necessary lab tests taken in hospitals and non-hospital settings, such as community labs.
It is important to note that while OHIP covers many essential services, there are also limitations and exclusions. For example, OHIP does not cover non-hospital prescription drugs, routine dental care, eyewear, cosmetic surgery, or specialized, non-routine tests unless certain eligibility criteria are met. Additionally, if you require a private or semi-private room during your hospital stay, you or your private insurance will have to pay some or all of those fees.
OHIP also provides coverage for seniors in Ontario, including doctor visits, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, hospital stays, eye exams, and medically necessary dental surgeries. Seniors who are 65 years or older and members of OHIP with a valid health card automatically qualify for the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program, which provides expanded coverage to ensure they have access to the healthcare they need.
Overall, OHIP offers comprehensive coverage for medically necessary services, including virtual visits, to residents of Ontario. However, it is always recommended to familiarize yourself with the OHIP coverage list to understand the scope and limitations of the plan.
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Private or semi-private rooms are not covered by OHIP
If you have been a resident of Ontario for three months, you are entitled to healthcare services paid for by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). OHIP covers medically necessary services, including medically necessary in-person and virtual visits, certain medications, and medically necessary lab tests. However, it is important to note that private or semi-private rooms in hospitals are not covered by OHIP.
If you prefer to stay in a private or semi-private room during your hospital stay, you will need to pay for it yourself or through private insurance. The cost of these rooms can vary depending on the hospital and the specific type of room you choose. For example, at the Waterloo Regional Health Network, a semi-private room costs $300 per day, while the standard ward with four beds per room is covered for Ontario residents with valid provincial health insurance (OHIP).
When requesting a private or semi-private room, you will typically be asked to provide your insurance information during admission or pre-registration. An imprint of your credit card may be requested to cover any balances not covered by your insurance plan. It is always a good idea to check with your insurance provider beforehand to understand what type of room accommodations are covered and to what extent.
In some cases, if your insurance company only covers a portion of the private or semi-private room cost, you will be responsible for paying the remaining balance to the hospital. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the terms of your insurance plan to understand your financial responsibility for these room accommodations.
It is worth noting that if you are ineligible for OHIP, there are alternative options for receiving healthcare services in Toronto. Community Health Centers and Toronto Public Health Sexual Health Clinics offer services to those without insurance coverage. Additionally, the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides limited, temporary coverage of healthcare benefits for specific groups in Canada who lack provincial, territorial, or private healthcare coverage.
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OHIP covers lab tests in hospitals, but non-routine tests may not be covered
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) provides health care services to residents of Ontario, Canada. To access these services, one must be a resident of Ontario for at least three months and have a health card. OHIP covers medically necessary services, including doctor visits, virtual visits, and certain medications. In terms of laboratory tests, OHIP covers medically necessary lab tests taken in hospitals or non-hospital settings, such as community labs. However, it is important to note that not all lab tests are covered by OHIP.
OHIP covers lab tests that are medically necessary and taken in hospitals or community labs. Hospital patients are advised to have their tests done at the hospital to avoid any potential out-of-pocket charges. OHIP also covers medically necessary lab tests in non-hospital settings, such as community labs, as long as certain eligibility criteria are met. This includes having a lab order from a licensed physician, midwife, or nurse practitioner.
While OHIP covers a range of laboratory tests, there are some specialized, non-routine tests that are not covered. For example, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing is only covered by OHIP for patients with diagnosed or suspected prostate cancer. Similarly, the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is only covered by OHIP under specific conditions, such as certain medical issues affecting the eyes. Other tests that are not covered by OHIP include general vitamin D testing, which is only covered under very specific circumstances, and certain eye tests, such as those for glaucoma or cataracts, which are not covered unless specific vision requirements are met.
It is important to note that the coverage of laboratory tests under OHIP can vary, and some tests may be covered for certain individuals but not for others. Additionally, the list of tests covered by OHIP may change over time. As of May 2022, the Ontario Government has not de-listed any laboratory tests in the last five years under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan Schedule of Benefits for Laboratory Services. However, in 2019, some procedures and services were delisted from OHIP, including reduced coverage for CT and MRI scans on hips and knees, earwax removal, and urine pregnancy tests.
For individuals who are ineligible for OHIP, there are alternative options for receiving healthcare services in Toronto. Community Health Centers and Toronto Public Health Sexual Health Clinics offer free and confidential services, respectively. Additionally, the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides limited, temporary coverage of healthcare benefits for specific groups in Canada who do not have provincial, territorial, or private healthcare coverage.
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OHIP might help cover travel and accommodation for specialized medical care
If you've been a resident of Ontario for three months, you are entitled to health care services paid for by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). You must have a health card to access these services. If you need urgent health care, go to your local hospital. If you do not have any health coverage, you will be billed for these services.
OHIP covers the full cost of your services as long as they are medically necessary. This includes medically necessary in-person visits, as well as medically necessary virtual visits delivered by video or telephone. OHIP also covers the full cost of seeing or visiting a doctor, considering that the visit is medically necessary.
OHIP might help pay for your travel and accommodation through the Northern Health Travel Grant if you have to travel long distances for specialized medical care and live in one of the following areas:
- Northern Ontario
- Other areas or districts in Ontario
OHIP does not cover some specialized, non-routine tests. For other tests, OHIP will only cover them if you meet certain eligibility criteria and a particular healthcare provider ordered the test.
If you are planning on traveling outside the country, it is essential that you purchase travel medical insurance that includes the cost of transportation if you need to come home before or after your scheduled return date due to illness or hospitalization. If you are hospitalized outside of the country, OHIP does not cover the cost of a transfer to an Ontario hospital for ongoing care.
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OHIP covers eye treatments for eligible patients with certain conditions
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) provides coverage for a wide range of health services. OHIP covers eye treatments for eligible patients with certain conditions, depending on age, medical conditions, and circumstances.
For those aged 19 and under, OHIP covers partial examinations between regular check-ups for a specific eye or vision problem. For example, a visit to diagnose and treat an eye infection is covered under OHIP for this age group. OHIP also covers eye surgery, associated testing/measurements, and intraocular lenses with enhanced features that are provided to decrease or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses. However, these services are not covered if they are provided at the same time as OHIP-insured cataract surgery.
For adults aged 20 to 64, OHIP covers comprehensive eye examinations by an optometrist (maximum once every 12 months) for those with potentially sight-threatening conditions such as diabetes or glaucoma. OHIP also covers glaucoma treatment with medication or surgery, cataracts with a visual acuity of 20/40 or worse in the best corrected eye, retinal disease, corneal disease, uveitis, optic pathway disease, acquired cranial nerve palsy, and ocular drug toxicity screening for patients taking certain medications.
For those aged 65 and above, OHIP covers one major eye exam every 18 months and two additional follow-up minor assessments. OHIP also covers comprehensive eye examinations once every 12 months for those with potentially sight-threatening conditions, including diabetes and glaucoma.
It is important to note that OHIP does not cover all eye-related treatments and that coverage depends on specific guidelines and eligibility criteria. To confirm eligibility for OHIP coverage, individuals must have a valid OHIP card and meet the specified age groups or have a qualifying medical condition.
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Frequently asked questions
Private clinics in Toronto are allowed to conduct OHIP-covered surgeries and cannot turn away patients for choosing to pay with their OHIP card. However, if you don't have OHIP, you are considered uninsured and will need to pay for the services you receive.
OHIP covers the full cost of medically necessary services provided by a doctor, including in-person and virtual visits. This also includes certain medications and lab tests.
OHIP does not cover some specialized, non-routine tests and procedures. For example, it does not cover eye surgery, associated testing/measurements, and intraocular lenses provided alongside OHIP-insured cataract surgery.










































