Can I Get Health Insurance While Waiting for OHIP?
Quick Answer
Yes. Private visitor-to-Canada or new immigrant health insurance plans (such as Manulife CoverMe or GMS Visitors to Canada) can cover emergency medical expenses for new residents, returning Canadians, and work permit holders before they're approved for OHIP. As of 2025, Ontario no longer applies a mandatory waiting period for OHIP — eligible applicants get coverage as soon as they're approved. However, processing your application and receiving your physical health card can still take time, so a short-term private plan covers that gap.
What You Need to Know First
Ontario removed its 3-month OHIP waiting period. There is no longer a waiting period for OHIP coverage — if you're eligible, your coverage is immediate once approved.
"No waiting period" doesn't mean "instant card." You still need to apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre with three pieces of qualifying ID, and mailing the physical card takes additional time.
Eligibility rules still apply. Per Ontario's OHIP eligibility criteria, you must be physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period and meet a qualifying status category (citizen, permanent resident, eligible work permit holder, etc.).
Private insurers explicitly market gap coverage for this exact situation. Manulife and GMS both design visitor/immigrant plans for people without provincial coverage yet.
How Long Is the OHIP Waiting Period?
There is currently no mandatory waiting period for OHIP coverage to begin once you're approved — a change from Ontario's previous 3-month rule that historically applied to new immigrants and returning residents.
That said, two practical "waits" still exist:
| Type of Wait | What It Means | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Application Processing | Time required to verify documents and approve eligibility through ServiceOntario. | Same day to a few days |
| Health Card Delivery | Time required to print and mail your physical Ontario health card after approval. | Often several weeks |
If you're moving from another province, your previous province's coverage typically continues to insure you until Ontario coverage begins — confirm with your old province how long your card remains valid after you establish Ontario residency.
Does Ontario still have a 3-month rule for anyone?
Generally, no — the standard 3-month wait that previously applied to new immigrants and returning Canadians has been eliminated. Rules can vary by immigration status, so confirm your specific situation with ServiceOntario before relying on older guidance — many older newcomer guides still cite the outdated 3-month rule.
Can I Get OHIP Immediately?
You can apply for OHIP immediately, but "immediate coverage" applies once you're approved — not the moment you land in Ontario.
If you are eligible, you will have immediate health insurance coverage once your application is processed.
You must apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre with a completed registration form and three separate, original identification documents.
Booking an appointment, document verification, and mailing the card typically mean a real-world gap of days to a few weeks between arrival and having an active health card in hand.
Who qualifies for OHIP right away?
To meet Ontario's minimum requirements, you generally must:
Be physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period
Be physically in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after you began living in the province
Make Ontario your primary residence
You must also fall into one of the eligible status categories — Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a work permit holder working full-time in Ontario, for an Ontario employer, for at least 6 months, among others, as listed by Ontario.ca.
What Happens If I Get Sick Before OHIP Starts?
If you need medical care before your OHIP card is active, you'll be billed directly by the hospital or clinic, and Canadian healthcare costs can be significant without coverage.
Without provincial or private coverage, visitors and uninsured residents are personally responsible for the full cost of care — a single doctor's visit or ambulance ride could leave you with a hefty bill.
Private visitor/immigrant insurance plans are designed to pay these costs (subject to your deductible and policy limits) during this window.
What does private insurance typically cover during this gap?
GMS Visitors to Canada plans and Manulife CoverMe plans typically cover emergency medical costs such as hospital and physician services, diagnostic tests, prescription drugs related to a covered emergency, emergency dental treatment, and ambulance services. Coverage amounts, deductibles, and exclusions vary by plan — always confirm details with the insurer before relying on a policy.
Are there waiting periods within the private insurance plan itself?
Yes, even private plans can have short internal waiting periods, especially if purchased after you've already arrived in Canada.
GMS: if you get the policy after arrival in Canada, a waiting period applies — during this time you're covered for injury but not illness. If you're uninsured and apply within 30 days of arrival, injury coverage starts immediately, with a 2-day wait for illness. After 30 days, injury coverage starts immediately, but illness coverage has a 7-day wait.
Manulife: the waiting period is 72 hours if circumstances occur within the first 30 days after your arrival date, and 7 days if they occur 31 days or more after arrival (for travelers age 85 and under; 15 days for those 86+).
Takeaway: Buying your private plan before you arrive in Canada generally avoids these internal waiting periods — GMS confirms coverage starts on the policy's effective date with no waiting period when purchased pre-arrival or continued without a gap from another Canadian insurer.
Does private insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
This varies significantly by insurer and plan tier, so check the specific policy wording.
Manulife: covers certain pre-existing conditions under Plan B, provided the condition has been stable for at least 180 days immediately before the policy's effective date, subject to a medical questionnaire.
If your condition hasn't been stable for the required period, expect that condition to be excluded — confirm directly with the insurer before purchasing.
Can Visitors Use Private Health Insurance Instead of OHIP?
Yes — and for visitors, private insurance is the only option, since OHIP isn't available to them at all.
Visitors to Ontario from other Canadian provinces and territories, or from outside Canada, do not qualify for OHIP, and Ontario specifically recommends buying private medical insurance for the trip as an additional precaution.
Who is eligible for "Visitors to Canada" insurance plans?
Manulife's visitor plans are available to any non-resident not covered by a provincial healthcare plan, including tourists, new immigrants, Super Visa holders, international students, international workers, and returning Canadians. GMS describes its plan as suited for tourists, students, workers, and permanent residents or returning citizens awaiting provincial coverage.
How much coverage do these plans typically offer?
| Insurer | Typical Coverage Range | Deductible Options | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manulife CoverMe | Up to $200,000 | $0–$5,000, including a $75 low-deductible option | PolicyAdvisor Review |
| GMS Visitors to Canada | Up to $150,000 | As low as $0 | GMS |
Coverage amounts, premiums, and terms vary by age, plan, and province — request a personalized quote before purchasing.
Should I buy a plan before or after I arrive in Canada?
Buying before departure is generally preferable when possible:
Manulife confirms visitors can apply for coverage either before or after arrival, but applying beforehand avoids the post-arrival waiting periods described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I'm moving from another province to Ontario — do I need temporary insurance?
Possibly, depending on your previous province's rules and how long your old health card remains valid after you leave. Returning Canadians and interprovincial movers are typically covered by their previous province's insurance until Ontario coverage begins. Confirm with your previous province's health ministry how long that coverage continues, and apply for OHIP as soon as you arrive to minimize any gap.
Does OHIP cover prescription drugs while I wait for my health card?
OHIP covers prescription drugs only in certain situations — such as during hospitalization or through OHIP+ for those under 25 — so it isn't a general drug plan even once active.
If you need ongoing prescriptions during your transition, Sun Life's personal health plans provide coverage for eligible prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, and physiotherapy. However, Sun Life's Enhanced Plan requires that you and your family already have provincial or territorial health and drug coverage — it's designed to fill gaps for residents who already have OHIP, not to replace it during the application gap.
Can I apply for OHIP before I have a permanent address in Ontario?
You'll need proof of Ontario residency as part of your application — one document proving residency is a mandatory requirement, alongside proof of identity and proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status. If you're between addresses, check the full list of qualifying documents for accepted alternatives before your appointment.
What happens if I leave Ontario and come back — do I need to reapply?
Possibly. If you've been outside of Ontario for more than 212 days in any 12-month period, you may have to reapply for OHIP at a ServiceOntario centre. During that reapplication window, a short-term visitor or travel health plan can again bridge any coverage gap.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or legal advice. Coverage details vary by plan and may change — confirm current terms directly with the insurer before purchasing.