Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The validation process consists of edit checks to determine if:

• The health card number is valid;
• The 10-digit health card number has been issued by the Ministry;
• The health card number presented belongs to an insured person who is eligible for health care in the province of Ontario; and
• The health card number is current by checking the version code.

Overnight Batch Eligibility Checking (OBEC) is used to validate a health number and version code before a health service is provided reducing the potential for claims rejections. The health numbers and version codes are keyed and batched into formatted files to be electronically submitted to the ministry. Eligibility is verified against the ministry’s database based on the date the file is submitted. A response file is returned to the user the next business day.

Excerpt above provided by Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/pub/ohip/ohipvalid_manual/ohipvalid_manual.pdf

Validate Health Card provides a more convenient and faster way to submit batch validations. Our batch service provides a response within the same day the file is submitted to our service. In order to use our batch service, a simple formatted CSV file must be created for submission.

Any information that is successfully submitted to the MOHLTC’s database is considered as one validation. If the health card number field is incomplete, our system will prompt the user to fix errors prior to submitting the form. If the version code or fee service code fields are left blank, the data will still be sent to the MOHLTC and will be considered as one validation. Please make sure to check all fields before validating the information.

If the user’s GoSecure ID and password is incorrect and the information is unable to be processed, the verification will not be considered successful and will not count. It is the user’s responsibility to maintain an active GoSecure ID and password at all times.

Specific regulations and limits apply to some services such as oculo-visual assessments, bone mineral density measurements or sleep studies. Validating for these services can be performed using VHC.

If an appropriate Time Limited Fee Schedule Code is entered, the system will provide either the date of service (DOS) for the most recent service and a fee service response code, or just the fee service response code.