4. Get your health card

It usually takes 6 weeks from registration for ServiceOntario to process and mail your child’s health card.

If your baby was born in Canada, the bottom of the infant registration form that you get at the hospital or from your registered midwife, has a health card number for your baby. You can separate the bottom part of the form and use it as the baby’s health card until you get the plastic card in the mail.

If you don’t have the bottom part of the form, you might have to pay for medical services for your baby while you wait for the health card. When you get your plastic card, show it to your health care provider and they can pay you back.

If your baby wasn’t born in Ontario, you usually have to wait 3 months for OHIP coverage. You may want to think about getting private insurance for these 3 months.