TrustChekrIs That OHIP Renewal Notice a Scam?
OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) cards issued before 2020 do expire and do require renewal — but the renewal happens in person at a ServiceOntario location. The Ontario government does not call or text asking for payment to renew your OHIP card. Scammers exploit OHIP renewal to collect SINs, dates of birth, and credit card numbers from Ontario residents.
Our verdict
Educational
Trust score: 100 / 100
OHIP — the Ontario Health Insurance Plan — is a legitimate provincial health program administered by ServiceOntario. Green OHIP cards (issued before 2020) do expire after five years and require renewal. Red-and-white photo health cards do not expire. The renewal process happens in person at a ServiceOntario location; no payment is required for the renewal itself, and Ontario residents are not notified about renewal by text message or unsolicited phone call.
Scammers exploit the real renewal requirement to create convincing fraud. A text or call claims your OHIP card has expired and your health coverage has lapsed. To 'restore coverage' before your next medical appointment, they ask you to provide your health card number, date of birth, and SIN — sometimes combined with a credit card number for a 'processing fee.' None of this is how OHIP renewal works. The SIN, in particular, is not required for OHIP renewal and is not something ServiceOntario requests over the phone.
A variant targets recent immigrants and newcomers who may be less familiar with OHIP's waiting period (90 days) or renewal process. Scammers pose as ServiceOntario representatives and offer to 'expedite' OHIP enrollment or coverage for a fee. There is no expedited OHIP service for a fee; the 90-day waiting period cannot be bypassed by payment.
Provincial health card scams exist in other provinces under different names: BCMSP (British Columbia Medical Services Plan), AHCIP (Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan), RAMQ (Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec). The scam pattern is the same across all provinces — the relevant provincial health authority does not call or text requesting payment for renewal or restoration of coverage.
Legitimate OHIP renewal: In person at any ServiceOntario location (serviceontario.ca/ohip). Required documents: current health card, proof of residency (utility bill, bank statement), and government-issued photo ID. Renewal is free. OHIP customer service: 1-866-532-3161. ServiceOntario locations: ontario.ca/page/find-serviceontario-location. Suspected OHIP scams: report to the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 and to the Ontario Ministry of Health's anti-fraud line at 1-888-662-6613.
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Editorial note: This article reflects the state of publicly available information at the time of writing. Business practices, ownership, and safety records change over time. TrustChekr is not affiliated with any company reviewed here and does not receive payment for editorial coverage. Verdicts are based on documented evidence and are subject to revision.