Ontario seeking regulation change to allow online health-card renewal

TORONTO -- Ontario is considering allowing people to renew their health cards online.

The Ministry of Health has posted a notice online asking for feedback on a regulatory change that would make it possible for the government to develop a new online option for health card renewals.

For now, almost everyone who needs to renew their health card must do so in person at a Service Ontario centre.

Individuals can book an appointment ahead of time online, but still have to visit the centre, with the exception of children younger than 15-and-a-half and most seniors over 80, who can renew their cards by mail.

Proof of residency in Ontario and proof of identity are required to renew a health card.

Ontarians can give feedback on the government's proposal for online renewal until June 5. There's no word yet on when an online renewal process might become available.