ONTARIO · GUIDE
Most of the application is straightforward. A few details cause most of the delays. Here is what to have ready, the mistakes to avoid, and what happens after you submit.
By Robin, Expert Biller, ResolvMD · 5-minute read
What this application is for
The OHIP billing number is what lets you bill the Ministry of Health for services you provide to patients in Ontario. This application starts the process.
You need it if you plan to practise in Ontario and hold a valid CPSO certificate of registration: independent practice, academic practice, restricted practice, or supervised practice of short duration. An educational licence, the licence residents hold during training, is not eligible.
Most physicians apply as they finish residency, as soon as their practice certificate is issued, so the number is ready on their first day. Others apply when relocating from another province, or when moving into a role that requires billing.
Once the Ministry processes your application, it assigns your billing number and sends a welcome package with your OPS BPS login credentials.
How to fill it out
The online application walks you through each step. Most of it is self-explanatory; a few parts have rules worth knowing before you start.
Personal and licensing information. Standard. Fill in as labelled.
Practice address. Your practice address: where the Ministry sends mail and how it identifies your practice location. Three rules:
- Use your primary practice address. If you work at several sites, use your main one: for example, the clinic you work at all week, with the hospital where you cover weekend on-call as an additional site.
- Don’t use your personal address as your practice address. If you’d rather not receive mail at your practice, list your residential address separately for correspondence only.
- If you’ll be working as a locum, you don’t need to list locum site addresses on this application.
How you’ll submit claims. How your billing will be sent to the Ministry. Once your application is processed, you’ll receive your billing number and login credentials for OPS BPS, the Ministry’s online portal. Keep them secure: you’ll use OPS BPS to view remittance advice, respond to Ministry requests for claim documentation, and assign designation if someone bills on your behalf.
Banking information. You’ll upload your banking details for direct deposit, so have a void cheque or a direct deposit form from your bank ready. This is how the Ministry deposits your monthly payments, and applications without banking details are returned as incomplete.
Acknowledgement. Standard. You confirm the information is true, that you’ve read the requirements of the Health Insurance Act, and that you consent to the Ministry verifying what you’ve submitted.
Common mistakes that delay applications
Four things cause most returns and delays. Avoiding them saves weeks.
What happens after you submit
| How you submit | What you receive | Approximate timing |
|---|---|---|
| Online (or by email) | Confirmation email on receipt, then your welcome package (billing number + OPS BPS login) by email | About 15 days |
| Mail or fax, with an email address provided | Welcome package by email | About 21 days |
| Mail or fax, no email address provided | Welcome package by mail | About 4 weeks |
When your welcome package arrives, log into OPS BPS right away to confirm your credentials work, and store them securely. The next step is enrolling in MC EDT, the Ministry’s electronic data transfer system for submitting claims.
Haven’t heard back within these timelines? Contact the Ministry’s Service Support Contact Centre: sscontactcentre.moh@ontario.ca · 1-800-262-6524 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET).
Official sources
Got your billing number? We’ll take it from here.
ResolvMD is a physician-founded, full-service billing company for Ontario and Alberta physicians: claim submission, rejection review, remittance reporting, and a clear view of how your billing compares with your peers.
