Health Insurance in Ontario: Medical Office Assistant Training

Medical office administrators (MOAs) play an essential role in various medical and health care settings across Ontario. From updating and filing patients’ records to scheduling appointments and more, they take care of the many regular tasks that need to be completed in order to keep a medical office running smoothly and meet the public’s healthcare needs.

MOAs are additionally responsible for billing and submitting insurance forms, which means their careers could include managing and processing the different kinds of medical insurance available in Ontario.

If you’re interested in signing up for MOA training, here’s a quick overview to help you understand what and who each program covers, as well as the differences between them.

MOAs Know That Ontario Residents Receive Basic Coverage Through OHIP

Residents of Ontario may already be aware that the province has a public health care plan known as the Ontario Health Care Plan (OHIP). This covers a broad range of basic health services, from doctor appointments to walk-in clinic visits, as well as trips to the emergency room, medical tests, and certain types of eligible surgery.

In order to qualify for OHIP, a person must make Ontario their primary home, and be physically present in the province for at least 153 days in any 12-month period. Patients don’t have to be a citizen of Canada to be covered, however—OHIP also applies to permanent residents, those with refugee status, and most individuals in the province who are there on valid work permits.

If you find yourself working in a family physician’s office or similar environment after medical office assistant training, you can expect to encounter OHIP fairly regularly in your work, as many patients may present their OHIP health card to access and cover your office’s services.

WSIB Provides Assistance to Workers Who Are Injured or Become Ill on the Job

Another form of insurance that you may encounter after training is the coverage provided through Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). The WSIB provides worker compensation in Ontario to those who are injured or become ill on the job. This includes both the Loss of Earnings Benefits—which covers wages lost through injury or illness—as well as assistance with various healthcare needs, including prescription medications and other important healthcare equipment and devices.

 

In order to be qualified for WSIB coverage, a person must have fallen ill or been injured during, and as the direct result of, work for an employer that is covered by WSIB. As an MOA, you could be expected to facilitate the billing process, and it’s important to be aware that in many cases, the WSIB will pay the health care provider directly.

You May See a Variety of Private Plans After Medical Office Assistant Training

Residents of Ontario can also purchase private insurance either directly or through their employer. Many individuals choose to purchase private insurance in order to cover costs not included with OHIP.

These can include, among others:

• Vision and dental services
• Prescription drugs
• Private hospital rooms
• Chiropractic and massage therapy
• Critical illness coverage
• Mental health support services and counselling

As you’ll learn during your medical office assistant courses, private coverage can vary greatly depending on the insurer and the patient’s particular plan. Private coverage often plays an important role in ensuring that those with medical issues are able to receive the care they need.

Are you ready to begin your new career as a medical office assistant?

Contact Anderson College to learn more about our medical office assistant programs.