Healthcare in Ontario is often paid for by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
OHIP is Ontario’s healthcare plan. Through OHIP, the province pays for many of the health services you may need. Your health card proves that you are covered by OHIP – that’s why you’ll need to show it every time you see your doctor, visit an emergency room, have a medical test, or go for surgery.
If you have an Ontario Health Card you have OHIP. If you do not have OHIP yet, our healthcare team will get in touch with you before your first appointment.
A cancer diagnosis can be a lot to deal with. Your Oncologist may suggest certain tests or treatment(s) based on your health.
During this time, they will talk to you about the cost of these treatments or tests, and payment options. Your Oncologist, Nurse, and Medication Reimbursement Specialist will support you to find the best solution. Having you pay out-of-pocket is always the last resort.
Before your appointments, prepare to talk with your health care team about your:
Cancer drugs and treatments can cost a lot of money. Cancer drugs are typically paid for by the government, Ontario Health, or hospitals/cancer centres.
There are many different programs that can help pay for cancer drugs given in the hospital (e.g. IV chemotherapy) or taken at home (e.g., oral cancer drugs).
There are some cases where your cancer drugs or treatments might not be covered. You may need to pay out-of-pocket, but this is always the last resort.
If your cancer drug is NOT covered:
Your healthcare team will always talk to you about drug and treatment coverage before you start on a treatment plan.
They will support you through the process of finding the best coverage, keeping out-of-pocket costs as low as possible.
The cost of cancer drugs and treatment is high.
You may have coverage to pay for treatment and related costs through your drug or insurance plans. Below are some options to explore.
| Coverage/Payment Option | What to Ask Your Pharmacist |
|---|---|
| Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) |
|
| Private Insurance (you, your spouse or parent may have a drug plan through work, or pay for one privately) | |
Provincial Drug Coverage from:
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| Out-Of-Pocket |
|
If you worked and have benefits through your workplace, or private insurance company, you may be eligible for short or long term disability. This can help support you with an income while you take time off work to focus on your health.
STD is a benefit you receive from your employer’s benefit plan that pays you a portion of your income for a short amount of time while you are sick.
LTD is a benefit that you receive after you have finished your STD and/or EI Sickness Benefit and will pay you a percentage of your regular income.
Every plan is different.
You usually need to take STD and/or Employment Insurance – Sickness Benefits 1st and then apply for LTD. Speak to your workplace, human resources office, or insurance company to check:
Contact your workplace, human resources office, or insurance company for the most up-to-date information.
You will need to:
If you can’t work because of your cancer you may qualify for one of the resources below.
If you think you might need this support, you should apply as soon as possible. Most of the paperwork can be found online or in person at Service Canada.
Offers short term financial help to unemployed workers. This support includes sickness benefits, caregiver benefits and compassionate care benefits to those who meet the criteria.
Short term support from the government if you cannot work because of sickness or injury. This benefit provides a max of 26 weeks to people who qualify.
You will receive 55% of your average weekly earnings, up to a max amount set by the government.
You will report in every 2 weeks, either online or by phone. If you did not work during that period of time you still need to report. If you do not make this report your payments may stop.
Is a long term, Federal income, replacement program. It offers monthly benefits to people who have paid into the Canada Pension Plan and are now not able to work due to a disability.
For people ages 60 until age 65 who have been receiving Canada Pension Plan Retirement Benefits AND are found to be disabled but not eligible to be receiving the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit because they have been receiving CPP Retirement Benefits for more than 15 months.
Social Assistance Programs
Provincial social assistance programs help supplement a persons income during hard times. There are 2 main programs in Ontario that can help:
Ontario Works is usually short term with the goal of helping people return to work or while waiting for help from other government programs such as EI, ODSP, or Canada Pension Plan (CPP). The amount you get from Ontario Works will depend on the size of your family and the amount of rent or housing expenses you have.
The Ontario Disability Support Program is a provincial government program that offers financial help and other benefits (such as prescription drugs, basic dental and vision care) to people who have a disability and are in financial need. The amount you get from ODSP will depend on the size of your family and the amount of rent or housing costs you have.