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Health Card Validation Decommissioned

Note: If you're a patient inquiring about your OHIP health card, eligibility and/or coverage, please contact ServiceOntario at 416-314-5518 or Toll-free 1-866-532-3161 or visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/health-cards for more information. 

Notice of Decommissioning

The Health Card Validation (HCV) service is longer available as of July 3, 2024. This decision aligns with ongoing advancements in health-care technology to offer more integrated and efficient services.

Transition Options

Ministry Integration

Consider integrating directly with the Ministry's HCV Web Service for real-time health card validation. This service enables real-time patient eligibility checks directly within your patient registration system. For assistance, please refer to the Health Card Validation Reference Manual.

EMR Solutions

Certified EMRs integrate with HCV services. These can range from real-time validation to overnight batch eligibility checks. Contact an OntarioMD- certified-EMR vendor to explore these options or for assistance with technical configurations with direct Ministry integration. Find more information about certified EMRs. 

Review our frequently asked questions below. 

What is Health Card Validation Basic? 

Health Card Validation Basic (HCV Basic) was a free service offered by OntarioMD in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH). It allows users to validate the eligibility of a patient's health card against the Ministry databases in real-time. Response time is within a few seconds. You must be a registered user of OntarioMD.ca to use this service. 

HCV Basic service:

  • Allows users to validate health card numbers and version codes with the Ministry in real-time.
  • Returns only a response code which indicates the patient's health card number status and OHIP eligibility.
  • Allows users to validate patient eligibility for fee services (optional).
  • Returns Fee Service response code and last date of service (if it existed).

HCV Basic service does not:

  • Return any personal health information (PHI).
  • Provide the corrected or updated health card number.
  • Return new or updated version codes.
  • Guarantee payment of any claim submitted for providing a health care service to patients.

Impact to User Account Sponsorship Model

EMR Progress Assessment and Account Sponsorship on OntarioMD.ca will also be discontinued.

This change reflects our commitment to optimizing our platform and focusing on delivering high-value, user-friendly tools to our healthcare providers.

Continued Access

If you have been sponsored by a physician to become a user of OntarioMD.ca, you can still log in to access the privacy and security training modules. Physicians can create new accounts at OntarioMD.ca to access the privacy and security training modules. Clinical staff can register here. Physicians cannot invite or sponsor new users for OntarioMD.ca.

FAQs

Find answers to key questions regarding the decommissioning process, covering aspects such as transition support, alternative services, and technical setup assistance to ensure a smooth transition.

Q: Why is the HCV service being decommissioned?

A: The decommissioning aligns with evolving market standards and technology advancements to offer more efficient services.

Q: What are my options for health card validation after HCV is decommissioned?

A: Options include direct integration with the Ministry's HCV service or utilizing certified EMR systems with built-in HCV capabilities.

Q: What is the recommended method for health card validation after the HCV service is no longer available on OntarioMD.ca?

A: The Ministry's HCV Web Service is recommended for secure, real-time health card validation. It integrates directly into providers' systems for instant eligibility checks.

Q: How do I set up the Ministry's HCV Web Service?

A: Set up involves configuring a secure internet connection between your system and the Ministry's HCV Web Service. Contact the Service Support Contact Centre (SSCC) for guidance and access to technical documentation. 

Q: Who can I contact for help with setting up the Ministry's HCV Web Service?

A: Contact the Service Support Contact Centre (SSCC) at 1-800-262-6524 or SSContactCentre.MOH@ontario.ca.

For further details, please refer to the Ministry of Health's Health Card Validation Reference Manual.