How do I renew a health card without a license?

Getting Health Care (OHIP)
1

13 Sept. 2020

I have been trying to renew my OHIP card online but I am always asked to provide a license driver number which I don’t have because I do not drive. Instead, I have a photo card which the computer does not accept. What should I do since I don’t want to go out of my place during this COVID19? I am 74 year old.

2

Hello There,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, you may not need to renew your health card. Expired health cards will be accepted by Ontario health care providers.

According to Service Ontario’s COVID-19 notice:

Unfortunately, a drivers licence is necessary to renew your health card online. But, Service Ontario recommends that you continue using an expired card in the meantime to access health services. Feel free to also contact Service Ontario’s INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 for more information.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to post them here.

Your Settlement.Org Team

3

This thread is very informative. I’m also on the dead-end of health card renewal

4

Thank you, we’re glad you found this information helpful. Feel free to post here if you have any more questions.

5

How do I renew for a new health card online without licence?

6

Hi there,

Unfortunately, you cannot renew your healthcard online without a drivers license. But, if you want to avoid visiting a Service Ontario in person, it is recommended that you continue using an expired card to access health services. Feel free to also contact Service Ontario’s INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 for more information.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to post them here.

Your Settlement.Org Team

7

Very Informative and thank you so much

8

I’m not able to renew my health card because I do to have a driver’s licence ( I can’t drive because of my health condition).How can I renew my health card?

9

Thank you, we are glad you found this information helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to share them with us.

Sincerely,

Your Settlement.Org team

10

Hi there,

Unfortunately, you cannot renew your health card online without a drivers license. But, if you want to avoid visiting a Service Ontario in person, it is recommended that you continue using an expired card to access health services.

If you do not have a health card at all, you may have to visit a Service Ontario in person. Feel free to also contact Service Ontario’s INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 for advice specific to your situation.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to post them here.

Your Settlement.Org Team

11

I understand that I can continue using my healthcare but my doctor’s office was unable to send me a test kit as my card was expired.

12

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

You should be able to access health services with an expired health card. Most expired health cards remain valid until further notice. Health care providers have the tools to validate your card each time you visit. You can check whether your card is valid by calling ServiceOntario at 1-866-532-3161. If it is no longer valid, you will need to update your health card registration by visiting a ServiceOntario centre.

We hope this more information is helpful.

Sincerely,

Your Settlement.Org team

13

This requirement by the Province discriminates against non-drivers. We pay for an Ontario ID card yet cannot use it to renew our health cards during the pandemic. As noted above, many people who do not drive are elderly and/or have health issues that preclude them from driving. I would like to see this changed. Who do I talk to about this?

14

My husband’s health card has expired and he does not have a current Driver’s License and I understand we cannot renew this online without a valid Driver’s License, however he is not well and will be going into a nursing home soon and therefore not able to physically go to a Service Canada location to do this in person. Can you tell me how we can get a new Health Card due to this situation.

15

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

It should be possible to still access health services with an expired health card. Expired health cards remain valid during the pandemic, and health care providers have the tools to validate your card each time you visit. You can check whether his card is valid by calling ServiceOntario at 1-866-532-3161. If it is no longer valid, you will need to update your health card registration by visiting a Service Ontario centre.

We hope this more information is helpful. Please follow up with us if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Your Settlement.Org team

16

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your question with us.

While the Ministry of Health does accept questions directly on their website, if you feel passionately about this matter, you may also wish to connect with your M.P.P. by writing them a letter. You can find information on how to contact your local representative for provincial parliament on the Ontario Legislative Assembly website.

We hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have any follow up questions.

Sincerely,

Your Settlement.Org team

17

Hello i want to know can i renew my health card without licence if i use declaration from a guarantor.
Thank you

18

Hello

I am seeing enough communication here to understand that I cannot renew my health card online unless I have a driver’s license, even if I do have an Ontario Photo ID Card. While I am not about to call it discrimination, I do have concerns this policy does not meet the needs of all Ontario residents, and it is disappointing in the current day that you have these limitations. A simple question, then - is there any plan to fix this in the future?

19

The simple answer is no. I have contacted my MPP and she received this response:

“Service Ontario provides the delivery of the health card and driver’s license on behalf of the home ministry (Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Health). For this particular case, MOH does not allow the use of the Ontario Photo Card to be a tool to renew the health card online. I can share that this is a very real issue, and I know it is being discussed between the two ministries. I just cannot say when any changes may be forthcoming. Hopefully soon.”

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