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OMSIPâ€" ONTARIO MEDICAL SERVICES INSURANCE PLAN The Ontario Government has introduced this new Medical Services Insurance Planâ€"_OMSI.P for shortâ€"to make available to Ontario re5idents adequate insurance coverage to pay for doctors’ bills. Everyone may join, no matter how old they are, whatever the state of the_ir_health or their financial circumstances. Subscription to the plan is completely voluntary. It is intended for incli- viduals and their families and it does not prowde group coverage. Private insurance carriers Will continue t0 COVEI groups. Wlmt are the benefit: of OMSIP.’ ‘ The Ontario Medical Services Insurance Plan pays for practically all doctors‘ services (lim- ited exclusions are listed in the next section). ' It pays for these services wherever they-are provided â€" in the home, office or hospital. ' There is no limitation to the number of serv- ices as long as medical care is needed. _ ' OMSIP pays for the family doctor and certiâ€" fied specialist services at established. rates when you are referred to the speCialist by your doctor. _ ' Members are free to choose their own doctor. OMSIP does 110! rat/er their physiciam’ services There are two types of exclusion: 1. Physicians' services are provided under cer- tain Federal or Provincial Acts such as Na- tional Defence and Workmen‘s Compensation. This does not represent a gap. It just avoids duplicate payment. .Certain limited services are excluded from OMSIP. These are: (a) Any services or examinations for the purpose of application for insurance, em- ployment or for admission _to a school, university, camp or association. (b) Group inoculations. (c) Examination of the eyes by refraction. (d) Services for which no charge would be made in the absence of insurance. Who can join OMSIP.’ Everyone living in Ontario and who has done so for the preceding three months is eligible. Only those who are entitled to physicians’ services under another Act are excluded. How are people witb low incomes assisted? (l) OMSIP will automatically provide fully-paid coverage, effective April lst, 1966, for people who are receiving benefits under any of the following Acts: (a) The Blind Persons’ Allowances Act (b) The Disabled Persons' Allowances Act (c) The General Welfare Assistance Act (d) The Mothers“ Allowances Act (e) The Old Age Assistance Act (f) The Rehabilitation Services Act OMSIP will also automatically provide fully- paid coverage for all old age security pensionâ€" ers who are declared eligible for coverage by the Ontario Department of Public Welfare. (2) For those people who have been resident in Ontario for the past 12 months and who paid no income tax on 1965 earnings, assistance is also available. (3) Assistance will also be given to the following people provided they have been resident in Ontario for the past 12 months: Com- Govern- plete merit You _ Cost Pays Pay (a) The single person $60.00 $30.00 $30.00 (covering only the (37.50 member) with a every taxable income in 3 months) 1965 of $500 or less (b) The family of two $120.00 $60.00 $60.00 (covering the head (315.00 of the family and even. one dependant) 3 months- with a total tax- able income in 1965 of $1,000 or less The family of $150.00 $90.00 $60.00 three or m o r e ($15.00 (covering the head even of the family and 3 month. all dependants) with a total tax- able i n c o m e in 1965 of $1,300 or less A dependant is an Ontario resident who is tl spouse (wife or husband) of the head of a fami or is a child under the age of 21, unmarried at dependent on the head of the family for Suppt. Cost In persons not receiving assistance There are three categories at the following costs: CATEGORIES COST (a) The single person . . . . . . . . . $60.00 a year (covering only ($15.00 every the member) 3 months) (b) The family of two . . . . . . . . $120.00 a year (covering the head ($30.00 every of the family and 3 months) one dependant) (c) The family of three or more. $150.00 a year (covering the head of the (537.50 every family and all dependants) 3 months) How are dactarr’ bill: paid? Two methods may be used: 1, Your doctor may submit his bill directly OMSIP. This is the most convenient {Neill for everyone and it is hoped that most dott- will use it. . Your doctor may prefer to bill you diret In these circumstances, two Courses of act are open to you. You may pay the bill . submit the receipted account to OMSIIJ or f, may submit the account prior to payment. either situation you will be paid the arm: of the established OMSIP rates. Payment the doctor is a direct transaction betv. patient and doctor. Your doctor will usu. tell you at the time of service whether charges will exceed the benefit. If he does do so, it may the in your interests to enqu OMSIP membership can be cancelled You are free to cancel your membership OMSIP at any time. OMSIP will pay doctors’ bill: outside Ontario When a member of OMSIP gets services a" able under the Plan from a doctor outside Province, ONISIP will pay the fee that is 811th ized in Ontario, or the amount of the account this happens to be less than the Ontario rate. How to apply for membership in OMSIP Applicants will be eligible for service ti" months after making application. Application fo' will be available through all branches of charit- banks. Just read the form carefully, find your ‘- CatEEOI'Y, fill out the form and mail to On". Medical Services Insurance Plan, 135 St. C Avenue West, Toronto. Upon acceptance you ‘ receive your contract and identification certifica. What happegrs to your coverage if a filler” (trusted medical plan 1': introduced? Your coverage is guaranteed by OMSlP I’ -- vviill continue under any such federally-assi5.-~ pan.