Provincial health plan (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP …) letter explained in English
Provincial health insurance. Your province’s public health insurance. It pays for doctor and hospital care that you need.
Letters you may get
- Health card renewal — your card ends soon
- Eligibility letter — they need proof that you live in the province or have a valid status
- Coverage letter — when your cover starts or ends
What to do
- Your health card may end when your work or study permit ends. Renew it as soon as you get a new permit.
- Some provinces have a waiting period for new residents. Get private health insurance until your cover starts.
- Find the deadline. Look for “deadline”, “pay by”, “due date”, “within”, “no later than”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“notice of objection”, “request for reconsideration”, “appeal”, “objection”, “review”, “dispute”). See the template.
Words you may see
- study permit
- A paper that lets you study at a school in Canada. It is not a visa to enter Canada.
- health card
- The card for your province’s public health insurance, for example OHIP in Ontario or MSP in British Columbia. Show it at the doctor or hospital.
Questions
What is the Provincial health plan (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP …)?
Provincial health insurance. Your province’s public health insurance. It pays for doctor and hospital care that you need.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Provincial health plan (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP …)?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “deadline”, “pay by”, “due date”, “within”, “no later than” — they mark the deadline. In Canada, many deadlines count from the date printed on the letter, not from the day it arrives — for example, the 90 days to object to a tax notice. Mail can take several days, so check the date on the letter and act early. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“notice of objection”, “request for reconsideration”, “appeal”, “objection”, “review”, “dispute”).
Can I read a Provincial health plan (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP …) letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in English. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Canada
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Service Canada · Ministry of Finance / Revenue (your province) · ServiceOntario / ICBC / registry office · City or town — property tax department · City bylaw enforcement / parking · Police service / Provincial Offences Court