Red And White Health Cards Will Not Be Accepted After July 1st

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If you still use a red and white health card, you’re going to need to get a new one. As of July 1st, the Ontario Government says that they will no longer be accepted for Ontario Health Insurance Plan services.

“The advanced security features of the photo health card help protect our public health system and is another measure to improve value for taxpayers’ dollars,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “While there is no cost to convert or renew an Ontario photo health card, there could be significant costs by allowing red and white health cards, which could be used fraudulently, to remain in circulation. Each month, individuals using these outdated cards access up to $108 million in health services.”

According to officials, approximately 300,000 red and white health cards remain in circulation or about 2% of all Ontario health cards.

Starting this month, individuals with red and white health cards will begin to receive letters letting them know that they will need to get a photo health card at a ServiceOntario centre before the July 1st, 2020, deadline.

Red and white cardholders who do not convert by July 1st, 2020, could be asked to pay up-front for insured health services. Once a photo health card is obtained, eligibility for Ontario health insurance is restored, and any payments made for OHIP-insured health services will be promptly reimbursed once a valid health card is provided.