Frequently Asked Questions about Health Card Validation

Q: How does Health Card Validation work?
A: Once you have signed up for health card validation, you can log into our easy to use, secure online HCV application at healthcardvalidation.com. Once logged in, you will be able to either manually enter health card numbers or swipe a health card in a standard card reader. Within approximately 3 to 7 seconds, our application will inform you whether the health card is valid or not. If a card is not valid, the software will inform you of the reason the card is not valid.

Q: How does Health Card Validation compare with OBEC? (Current Ministry Offering)
A: Healthcardvalidation.com uses real-time health card validation to validate your patient’s health cards. Cards are validated between 3 to 7 seconds after being swiped or typed. With healthcardvalidation.com, you know instantly if the card is valid or not and allows you to correct the problem immediately.

The Ministry OBEC service only validates cards overnight, and if a card number is deemed invalid, you still don’t know if the card they present is valid, just the number you have on file is. With healthcardvalidation.com, you eliminate these problems and get the correct results immediately.

Q: Is Healthcardvalidation.com part of the Ministry of Health?
A: No. Healthcardvalidation.com is a private corporation that offers Health Card Validation Services to the physicians of Ontario. We assist physicians to virtually eliminate OHIP non-payment based on invalid/expired health cards. We do however work very closely with the Ministry of Health. We have a back-end secure connection to the Ministry of Health for the purpose of validating health cards.

Q: What type of computers/Operating Systems will Health Card Validation work on?
A: We support most common operating system including Windows 2000/2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista, MAC, and Linux using our web-based portal.

Q: Are there other ways to use the program?
A: Yes, we are currently working on an API that will allow other vendors to use our service within their applications. This service will be ready around September 2008.

Q: Do I have to install any program to use Health Card Validation?
A: No. There is no software to install to use healthcardvalidation.com. You do however need to have the latest version of Adobe Flash installed on your computer. Flash is an extremely common web plug-in that most likely is already installed on your computer.

Q: Are there any installation charges to install Health Card Validation?
A: No. There is no installation charge.

Q: Can I use a Magnetic Card Reader to validate health cards?
A: Yes! You can either enter card numbers manually or swipe health card. Both methods are fully supported. The only limitation is that the card reader must be an AT/PS2 keyboard wedge or USB card reader. Some serial connected card readers may work, however it does depend on the model.

Q: I have signed up for Heath Card Validation, what is the next step?
A: Once you have filled out our simple application form, Ministry of Health forms will be faxed or emailed to you to fill out. The Ministry of Health requires these forms to be filled out in order to use Health Card Validation. Once the forms have been filled out, please FAX them to our support department at (416) 637-6538. We will then file the documents on your behalf with the Ministry of Health and track its progress. Once the Ministry approves your application, a date will be scheduled to run tests to ensure proper connection and registration with the Ministry of Health’s database. Once the tests are completed, you will be able to validate health cards. Overall this is a very simple process, and healthcardvalidation.com works with you at every step to ensure the process is completed in a timely manner.

Q: What are the requirements for being approved by the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care?
A: The Ministry of Health & Long Term Care has its own requirements for allowing physicians to use Health Card Validation. It has been our experience that any licensed physician in Ontario that has a valid reason for using Health Card Validation is generally approved; however approval is at the sole discretion of the Ministry of Health & Long Term care.

Q: Is approval with the Ministry of Health & Long term care automatic/mandatory?
A: All applications for Health Card Validation must be approved by the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care without exception. If the Ministry declines an application for Health Card Validation for any reason, we would be unable to offer HCV Services to the applicant.

Q: How long does it take to obtain the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s approval for Health Card Validation?
A: In most cases, approval from the Ministry is received within two weeks. Healthcardvalidation.com does follow-up with the ministry to ensure that approvals are not delayed for extended periods of time.

Q: How do I make payments?
A: We currently accept 3 payment methods: Credit Card (VISA / Mastercard), Monthly Invoice, and Pre-Authorized debit. Your monthly charge will be billed to your account on the first day of each month.

For monthly invoice and pre-authorized debit accounts, we bill in advance so your first bill will actually be for 2 months of service.

Q: Is there a term contract to sign?
A: No. There is no term contract to sign.

Q: After I have signed up, is there a cool-off period to cancel my service?
A: Once you have signed up to use Health Card Validation, you have 15 days to cancel your service for a full refund.

Q: How clear are the validation results?
A: The returned results from the Ministry are very clear. Using the web based version, Health Cards that are valid will be expressed in green text. Invalid card number will be expressed in red text with a specific reason as to why the health card number is invalid.

Q: What do I do if a card comes back invalid?
A: If a patient’s card comes back invalid, you must give the card back to the holder and recommend that they contact the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care to clear up the situation. If you believe there is suspicious activity regarding a patient, it is recommended that you report your reservations to the Ministry at 1-800-262-6524.

Q: If I have any technical problems, who do I call?
A: If you have any technical problems, you may contact us anytime at 1-888-637-6548 or 416-637-6548 or you may email us at info@healthcardvalidation.com