Keeping Your Health Card Active While Working in The US

Before embarking on your first travel assignment in the US, it is important to apply for a Health Card extension. Per the Ministry of Health, you must meet specific requirements to receive this Health Card extension while out of the country. This article outlines those rules and the steps you can take to keep your Health Card active, even while working in the US.

The 7 Month Rule

As per the Ministry of Health, you can apply for extended OHIP coverage for up to 2 years if you plan to be out of the country for more than seven months in any twelve months for either work or school. That being said, if you are only planning on doing occasional travel nurse contracts (1-2 a year), your OHIP card will stay active because you will be primarily in Canada. 

You should plan to fill out the required forms and send in this request, or book your appointment before you leave for assignment. It is possible to back-date the forms and send them via email or courier; they will grant you the extension. Once granted, your new Health Card will be mailed to you within a month. 

To be eligible for this extension, you must:

• Have a valid, non expired Health Card
• Have a home address in Ontario (you can use your parents address)
• Have been in Ontario for at least 153 days per year for the past 2 years prior to leaving

Why You Should Keep Your Card Active

Keeping your Health Card active allows you to receive care when you come back home to Canada. For example, if you are going home for three weeks between contracts, you can visit an urgent care center, hospital, or your family doctor as you would normally.

If you were to let your Health Card expire, you risk having to pay very high out-of-pocket expenses for medical services you may need while you are back in Canada. Recently, a friend of mine who lives in New York needed stitches in Canada, and his Health Card was no longer valid. This visit cost him over $1000. He was not aware of the option to extend his OHIP card.

How do I Keep my Health Card Active?

There are 3 ways to apply for an OHIP extension.

In person appointment

You can make an in-person appointment at a location near you. It is important to check online and ensure that they provide the extension service you are looking for. Alternatively, call them toll-free at 1-800-267-8097 to speak to a representative. 

What to Bring to Your Appointment

• Fill out this ‘Change of Information’ form and bring it with you. Fill out sections A and D, and sign section G.
• Your valid Health Card
• Proof of residency- i.e drivers license, lease agreement or credit card statement of your Canadian address)
• Proof of employment in the USA– I brought a copy of my TN Visa document provided by my agency, this contains all the info they will need.

Application by Mail or Email

This is the process I use for my applications, as I can mail my documents from anywhere in the US, and I do not have to wait weeks for an appointment. When I mail my documents, I usually request an extension for my contract length and then add a month or two to the expected return date. You can alternatively request longer, such as six months to one year, if you are sure you will be staying in the US.

If you are extending at your current hospital, or you have a new contract lined up, you may e-mail or mail your documents with proof of extension (an e-mail, formal document), and they will extend your health card.

Documents You Need For Mail/Email

• Fill out the form above. Fill out sections A and D, and sign section G.
• A photo of the front and back of your Health Card- if you are re-applying for a new extension, ensure that you include a photo of your most recent health card (it will have a different version code)
• Proof of residency-I kept my Canadian Credit Card, so I included a printed statement with my Canadian address displayed
• Proof of employment in the USA- I sent a copy of my Visa document provided by my agency

Mailing Address

Service Ontario

435 James Street South Unit 113

Thunder Bay, Ontario

P7E 6T1

Email Address

[email protected]

In Summary

Extending your OHIP card coverage allows you to receive care when you return to Canada, and will save you from the headache of potential medical fees. Feel free to contact us via the contact form below with any questions! As always, best of luck on your travel nurse journey!