Getting Health Insurance card in Canada
Many newcomers choose Canada because of its publicly funded universal healthcare system. In each province, taxes from citizens and residents fund healthcare, providing eligible individuals with cost-free or affordable basic medical services. Healthcare administration varies by province, with 13 distinct health insurance plans. For example, permanent residents in Ontario or British Columbia may face a three-month wait for benefits, whereas settling in Alberta means immediate coverage. Healthcare expenses in Canada can be higher than in your home country, so consider private insurance if moving to a province with a waiting period.
Submit an application for a provincial health insurance card.
To access medical services in Canada, you must obtain a provincial health insurance card, which is issued by each province or territory to its residents. As a newcomer, you must apply to the provincial government for this card. The application process varies by province, but typically, you need to visit the respective government agency in person, such as Service Ontario in Ontario or Service Alberta in Alberta.
These agencies have physical locations where you can apply, and their websites provide information about required documents. Generally, you will need to prove your residency, provide government-issued identification, and present documents confirming your immigration status.
After your application is approved, the health card is sent to your address. You must present this card whenever you seek medical care at a hospital or from a doctor.It’s important to note that in provinces with waiting periods for public insurance, your eligibility timeline begins from the day you arrive in the province, not the day you apply. For example, if you arrive in Toronto on March 1, 2019, and apply for your health insurance card on May 25, 2019, you become eligible in approximately 5 days. If you apply in June, beyond the three-month waiting period, you will be covered immediately from the date of application.
Understand the healthcare benefits offered
Depending on your immigration status, Canada’s government offers free emergency medical services, even if you lack a government health card. In case of an emergency, it’s advisable to go to the nearest hospital. However, a walk-in clinic may charge fees if you’re not a resident of the province or territory. Typically, provincial insurance covers only essential medical services. Services like prescription medications, dental care, physiotherapy, ambulance rides, and prescription eyeglasses may not be covered, and you’ll need to pay for them out of pocket unless you have private insurance. Many employers provide extended health insurance benefits to their employees to cover situations not covered by provincial insurance. Therefore, it’s a good practice to inquire about these benefits with your employer and understand your options before accepting a job offer.
The majority of Canadians rely on a family physician as their primary healthcare
provider. A family doctor offers fundamental healthcare services to you and your
family and is responsible for issuing referrals when necessary for specialist consultations.
To locate a family doctor in Canada, you can:
1. Seek recommendations from friends, colleagues, relatives, or acquaintances.
2. Get in touch with an immigrant-serving organization.
3. Reach out to a community health centre in your locality.
4. Refer to provincial websites dedicated to assisting in finding a family doctor.
5. Utilize Lumino Health (provided by Sun Life) to discover a family doctor, dentist,
optometrist, or other healthcare professionals in your vicinity.
Regardless of your location in Canada, you can explore Lumino Health
(luminohealth.sunlife.ca), which is a user-friendly, extensive database containing
details of dentists, optometrists, psychologists, and family doctors.
It provides information like clinic hours, languages spoken, ratings, and cost
information for various healthcare providers, simplifying the process of finding
suitable care for your family.
To find a family doctor, each province has a specific website or webpage and a different procedure. If you live in Ontario, you should start by visiting the “find a Doctor” page, whereas if you reside in British Columbia, you should go to the B.C. College of Family Physicians website first.
In general, once you confirm your neighbourhood and the area in which you’d like to find a doctor, your name will be added to a waitlist until a doctor who is taking new
patients is found. The waiting period may last several months in some
circumstances. If you require medical attention during this time, visit a walk-in clinic.
Walk-in clinics typically allow you to see a doctor without an appointment.
Free medical services:
Every Canadian citizen has the option to receive complimentary healthcare guidance via telephone or by visiting a cost-free clinic. In every province and territory in Canada, you can access free health advice from registered nurses 24/7 via phone. This service is accessible by dialling 811, although it goes by different names in each region, like Health Links in Manitoba.
These phone lines don’t provide diagnoses or prescriptions but help individuals decide whether they should seek medical advice from a doctor. If you lack insurance and the health line suggests seeing a doctor, you can visit community health centres (CHCs), which usually accept provincial insurance and can serve as an option for those waiting for coverage. In case of a medical emergency, you can go to the nearest hospital’s emergency department or call 911, which is free. It’s advisable to inquire with your doctor about carrying medical information, such as allergies or serious conditions, on a medical necklace or bracelet for your safety.
Healthcare across Canadian provinces
Provincial insurance name: Manitoba Health and Seniors Care Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage commences on the first day of the
third month following arrival. Students: Students holding a Study Permit for over 6 months and intending to reside in Manitoba for at least 6 months meet the eligibility criteria. The coverage remains in effect for the entire duration of the study permit. Temporary Workers: Eligibility is limited to temporary workers who possess a Work Permit valid for a period exceeding 12 months. Coverage commences either from the date the Work Permit is signed or the date of arrival, whichever is later. Coverage: Encompasses physician services, surgical procedures, and x-ray and laboratory services when prescribed by a physician. Free health advice by phone: You can reach them at 204-788-8200 / 1-888-315-
9257, or access Health Links – Info Santé.
Provincial insurance name: New Brunswick Medicare and Drug Plans
(https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/Medicare.html )
Eligibility for permanent residents: After we receive your completed application
and confirm your eligibility, you’ll receive a letter specifying the start date (
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/MedicarePrescription
DrugPlan/content/medicare/ApplyingforaCard.html ) of your New Brunswick
Medicare coverage, along with a New Brunswick Medicare card.
Students: To qualify, students must possess a Study Permit and be enrolled as full-
time students in an approved educational institution for an entire year.
Coverage remains in effect for the duration of the study permit. Nevertheless, if a
student departs New Brunswick within the initial three months of establishing
residency, they will be responsible for any Medicare-covered services received
during that period.
Temporary Workers: Eligibility is restricted to temporary workers with a Work Permit
lasting over 12 months.
Coverage commences either from the Work Permit’s signing date or the date of
arrival, whichever is later.
Coverage: This includes medical services provided by physicians, specific dental
surgical procedures, and the majority of hospital services.
Free health advice by phone: Just call 811 or use the Tele-Care (
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/accessing-healthcare/tele-
care.html ) service for health advice.
Provincial insurance name: Medical Care Plan (MCP) (
https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/mcp/ )
Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage commences upon arrival.
Students: Students holding a 12-month Study Permit and enrolled full-time in an
accredited educational institution are qualified for coverage. The effective date of
coverage for eligible students and their dependents is determined by the later of two
events: the date of enrolment in a full-time post-secondary program or the date of
arrival in the province.
Temporary Workers: Only temporary workers possessing a Work Permit with a
duration exceeding 12 months are eligible for coverage. Coverage commences three
months from the date indicated on the Work Permit, or from the date of arrival,
depending on which is later. This underscores the importance of obtaining private
insurance and applying for coverage immediately upon arriving in Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Coverage: Encompasses physician services, hospital visits, surgical, diagnostic,
and therapeutic procedures, pre- and post-operative care, comprehensive maternity
care, radiology interpretation services, and specific surgical-dental treatments.
Free health guidance via phone: Simply call 811 or utilize the 811 HealthLine (
https://www.811healthline.ca/ )
Territorial insurance name: NWT Health Care Plan (
https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/nwt-health-care-plan )
Eligibility for permanent residents: Upon approval of your application, you will be
sent a NWT Health Care Card by mail. It typically takes around six weeks (
https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/nwt-health-care-plan/general-information-
residents ) from the date of application for you to receive your health care card,
factoring in processing and mailing times.
Students: Students holding a Study Permit and planning to live in the Northwest
Territories for more than 153 days annually meet the eligibility criteria. However, it’s
important to note that coverage begins only after a three-month waiting period from
the date of entry. To ensure adequate coverage, it is recommended to acquire private
insurance and apply for coverage promptly upon your arrival in the Northwest
Territories.
Temporary Workers: Temporary workers possessing a Work Permit and intending
to reside in the Northwest Territories for more than 153 days in a year are eligible for
coverage. It’s essential to be aware that coverage starts three months after your
entry date. To safeguard your health needs during this waiting period, it’s advisable
to obtain private insurance and initiate the application process as soon as you arrive
in the Northwest Territories.
Coverage: Encompasses fundamental hospital and medical services.
Free health advice by phone: You can connect with Tele-Care NWT (
https://www.nthssa.ca/en/services/telehealth ) at 90 locations throughout the territory.
Provincial insurance name: Medical Services Insurance (MSI) Program (
https://ns.211.ca/services/medavie-blue-cross/msi-nova-scotia-health-card/ )
Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage starts upon arrival(
https://novascotia.ca/DHW/msi/moving_travel.asp#2 )
Students: Eligibility for students hinges on possessing a Study Permit with a
minimum validity of 12 months, as long as they haven’t exceeded 31 consecutive
days outside the province, except for study-related absences. Coverage becomes
active twelve months after their initial entry, which underscores the necessity of
obtaining private insurance for this duration if planning to study in Nova Scotia for a
year or more.
Temporary Workers: Temporary workers are eligible for coverage provided they
hold a Work Permit with a minimum validity of 12 months, and they haven’t been
absent from the province for more than 31 consecutive days, except for work-related
reasons. The coverage begins either from the date indicated on the Work Permit or
the date of arrival, depending on which is later.
Coverage: Encompasses physician’s care, hospital services, medical expenses,
dental treatments, prosthetic devices, and certain optometry services.
Free health guidance via phone: You can call 811 or visit 811.Novascotia.Ca for
health advice at no cost.
Territorial insurance name: Nunavut Health Care Plan
(https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/nunavut-health-care-plan )
Eligibility for permanent residents: Health coverage can commence on the first
day of the third month, assuming all eligibility criteria are met.
Students: Eligibility is extended to students holding a Study Permit valid for a
minimum of 12 months. However, coverage takes effect three months after their
entry into Nunavut. This underscores the importance of acquiring private insurance
and applying promptly upon your arrival in the territory.
Temporary Workers: Temporary workers can access coverage if they possess a
Work Permit with a minimum validity of 12 months. Yet, coverage becomes active
only three months after their arrival in Nunavut. To ensure timely protection, it’s
advisable to purchase private insurance and initiate the application process as soon
as you arrive in the territory.
Coverage: Encompasses the expenses for physician and hospital services.
Free health advice by phone: Unfortunately, phone-based health advice services are
not provided.
Provincial insurance name: Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) (
https://www.ontario.ca/page/your-health )
Eligibility for permanent residents: Previously, newcomers had to endure a
waiting period of up to three months (https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-
and-get-health-card ) for OHIP coverage, unless they met immediate coverage
criteria. However, this waiting period has been eliminated.
Students: International students do not qualify for coverage and are required to
obtain their private insurance if it is not already included in their school fees.
Temporary Workers: Eligibility is restricted to temporary workers possessing a
Work Permit valid for over 6 months. Coverage initiates three months after approval,
emphasizing the importance of acquiring private insurance and applying promptly
upon arriving in Ontario.
Coverage: OHIP includes coverage for doctor visits, hospital visits and stays,
medical or surgical abortions, qualifying dental surgery and optometry services,
podiatry, ambulance services, and travel for health services if you reside in northern
Ontario.
Free health advice by phone: You can call 1-866-797-0000 / 1-866-797-0007 or
utilize Telehealth Ontario for complimentary health guidance over the phone.
Provincial insurance name: PEI Health Card (
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/pei-health-card )
Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage initiates upon arrival.(
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/apply-for-pei-health-card-new-
residents )
Students: International students do not qualify for coverage and must acquire their
private insurance separately, unless it is already part of their school fees.
Temporary Workers: In order to meet eligibility criteria, temporary workers are
required to establish their residence in Prince Edward Island and be physically
present for a minimum of six months and one day annually. Coverage initiates from
either the date indicated on their Work Permit or the date of their arrival, depending
on which is later.
Coverage: Encompasses childhood vaccinations, primary healthcare services
involving diagnosis, treatment, education, disease prevention, and screening, along
with both in-patient and out-patient hospital services.
Free health advice by phone: Simply dial 811 or access 811 Telehealth.
(https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/811-
Provincial insurance name: Québec Health Insurance Plan (
https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citizens/health-insurance )
Eligibility for permanent residents: There may be a waiting period of as long as
three months from the date of arrival.
Students Eligibility for coverage extends exclusively to international students hailing
from the following countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece,
Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden. The coverage commences
three months after the registration date. It’s imperative to procure private insurance
and submit an application promptly upon arriving in Quebec. Students who do not
hold citizenship in one of the listed countries are required to secure their own private
insurance if it is not included in their school fees.
Temporary Workers: Coverage is available exclusively to temporary workers with a
Work Permit valid for more than 6 months. To maintain coverage, they must be
present in Quebec for more than half of the year. The coverage initiates three
months after the registration date, underscoring the importance of obtaining private
insurance and applying promptly upon arrival in Quebec.
Coverage: Encompasses medical procedures, anaesthesia, medical check-ups, eye
drops, diagnostic mammograms, urine and blood sugar tests, and vasectomies.
Free health advice by phone: You can call 811 or access Info-Santé (
https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/finding-a-resource/info-sante-811 ) 811 for health
advice.
Provincial insurance name: Saskatchewan Health Cards (
https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/health-cards )
Eligibility permanent residents: Health Card applications typically undergo
processing within six to eight weeks (https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/health-
cards/Pages/Apply-for-a-Health-Card.aspx ) from the date of application, excluding
mailing time.
Students: Eligibility for students is contingent upon possessing a Study Permit valid
for a minimum of 6 months. The coverage becomes active three months after their
initial entry. This emphasizes the importance of acquiring private insurance
immediately upon arriving in Saskatchewan.
Temporary Workers: Temporary workers are eligible for coverage provided they
hold a Work Permit with a minimum validity of 12 months. The coverage also takes
effect three months after their initial entry. Therefore, it is crucial for them to obtain
private insurance as soon as they arrive in Saskatchewan.
Coverage: encompasses all essential medical services provided by physicians, both
inpatient and outpatient care, as well as services such as physiotherapy,
occupational therapy, screening mammography, immunization, treatment for sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, support for alcohol and drug abuse issues,
mental health care, assistance for problem gambling, and select supplementary
health services.
Free health advice: over the phone, you can either dial 811 or utilize the HealthLine (https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/contact ) at 8-1-1.
Territorial insurance name: Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (YHCIP)(
https://yukon.ca/en/health-care-card )
Eligibility for permanent residents: Typically, coverage begins three months after
you establish residency in Yukon.
Coverage: It encompasses hospital and medical services, as well as specific dental-
surgical procedures.
Free health advice by phone: You can reach HealthLine (
https://yukon.ca/en/your-government/contact-and-follow-government/contact-
government ) 811 by dialling 811 or accessing it online.
When settling in Canada, it’s crucial to learn about your province’s healthcare
coverage, get a health card, and understand the process for medical help, ensuring
a smooth transition to Canadian life.
Every provincial insurance plan adheres to fundamental healthcare standards and shares common characteristics. Nonetheless, it’s worth recognizing that there are slight distinctions in terms of the time it takes for health coverage to become active, and the specific services covered.
ALBERTA
- Provincial insurance name: Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
- Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage starts when residency is established, usually upon arrival.
- Eligibility for Students: To qualify, students must hold a Study Permit with a validity of at least 12 months and have the intention to live in Alberta for a minimum of 12 months.
If a student possesses a Study Permit that is valid for a duration between 3 and 12 months, they can still meet the eligibility criteria by composing a letter confirming their intent to reside in Alberta for a minimum of 12 months. Students should promptly initiate their healthcare card application, and their coverage will commence either upon their entry into Alberta or the start date of their Study Permit, whichever occurs later. - Eligibility for Temporary Employees: Only individuals holding a Work Permit exceeding 6 months in duration qualify for coverage. The coverage remains in effect from the date of signing (or the date of arrival in Alberta, whichever is later) until the Work Permit’s indicated expiration date. Coverage: It encompasses comprehensive physician services, certain dental and oral surgical health services, and hospital care. Additionally, there is partial coverage for podiatry and optometry services. Free health advice by phone: Simply dial 811 or access Health link
Provincial insurance name: Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage can commence three months after your arrival.
Students: To qualify, students must possess a Study Permit valid for over 6 months. Coverage becomes active three months following entry into British Columbia or the Study Permit’s signing date, whichever occurs later. Hence, it’s advisable to acquire private insurance and apply promptly upon arriving in British Columbia. Temporary Workers: Temporary workers are eligible if they hold a Work Permit valid for more than 6 months. Coverage commences three months after the Work Permit’s signing date (or the date of arrival, if later). Therefore, obtaining private insurance and applying upon arrival in British Columbia is essential. Coverage: Encompasses services provided by doctors and midwives, dental and oral surgery carried out in a hospital setting, essential eye examinations, x-rays, and certain orthodontic treatments. Additional potential coverage extends to supplementary services like acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy, and non-surgical podiatry. Free health advice by phone: Just dial 811 or utilize HealthLinkBC for assistance.
I AM READY!
Complete our online registration to be evaluated and we will provide our assessment within 2-3 business days.
