OHIP is funded by a payroll deduction tax by residents who are gainfully employed, by businesses in the province of Ontario, and by transfer payments from the Government of Canada.
In 2018, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan announced a new program designed to assist individuals struggling with food addiction.
[2] However, As of 1 April 2019, the Ontario government will no longer offer free prescriptions to children and young adults with private coverage.
[12] Until 2004, OHIP also paid for an eye examination every two years and limited chiropractic and physical therapy/physiotherapy services.
The May 2004 budget, however, announced that most eye exams and all chiropractic and physical therapy would be "delisted" (removed) from coverage, by the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty.
Annual eye examinations are free for children (19 or younger), seniors (65 or older), adults ages 20–64 with certain ocular health conditions (including glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetes), as well as those receiving ODSP or Ontario Works (every two years).
In 2009, applicants for permanent residence from within Canada were added to the plan, following the "Approval In Principle" (AIP) stage of the process.
Applicants from outside Canada continue to be ineligible for OHIP until they have completed the landing process and have actually become permanent residents, when the usual three-month waiting period begins.