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Income Security Advocacy Centre

Income Security Advocacy Centre

ISAC works to address issues of income security and poverty in Ontario

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Change from OW & ODSP Drug Cards to OHIP Cards

December 2, 2016

As of December 1, 2016, people on OW and ODSP are no longer getting paper drug cards to access prescription drugs.

Instead, people should show their regular Ontario health card – or “OHIP card” – when they go to the pharmacy. The pharmacist will use the OHIP card to confirm eligibility for the Ontario Drug Benefit.

People receiving ODSP or ACSD should tell staff at the pharmacy that they are covered under Plan C. People on OW and Temporary Care Assistance should say they are on Plan D.

This month, people on OW and ODSP got paper statements that still have the old drug card attached, but the drug card says VOID. This may worry many people, who may think they can’t get their necessary prescriptions filled.

No one has lost coverage. As long as you are still eligible for OW or ODSP, or the Extended Health Benefit, you will still have your medications covered.

The Ministry sent out notices about this with the September and October benefit statements. Some people may not have read or understood these notices, so community agencies, legal clinics and service providers may be receiving phone calls from clients who are concerned about this.

Information about this change is available on the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ web site: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/PaperlessDrugCard.aspx.

  • This website notes that instead of using the drug card to access eye exams and physiotherapy, people on OW or ODSP should present their monthly benefit statement. It also has information about how to get an OHIP card if you don’t have one.

Additional information is also available on the Ministry of Health website: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/drugs/opdp_eo/notices/DrugEligibilityCard_Client_InfoSheet.pdf

  • This website says that you should contact your worker if you or a family member are not eligible for an OHIP card, and that you will continue to get a paper card in the mail. It also says who to contact if you lose your OHIP card or if the information on your OHIP card changes.

Detailed information about OHIP, including how to apply for a card and who is eligible, is available here: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/

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Income Security Advocacy Centre

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1500 – 55 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
Tel: (416) 597-5820 • Toll Free: 1-866-245-4072 • Fax: (416) 597-5821

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This site contains general legal information for people in Ontario, Canada. It is not intended to be used as legal advice for a specific legal problem. ISAC is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization. ISAC is funded by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO). The funding for this website is also provided by LAO. The views expressed in any of ISAC’s publications (including written, oral, or visual) are the views of the clinic and do not necessarily reflect those of LAO.