May 6th, 2023 at 09:00 am
Family health: What newcomers should know in Canada
We’ll cover family health basics including locating a family doctor, choosing a pediatrician for your kids, and getting inoculated and tracking your vaccines in Canada.
Canada has tax-funded universal healthcare. Thus, taxes cover basic healthcare for Canadians and permanent residents. These healthcare services are provided by provincial and territorial health insurance systems.
Apply for a provincial health insurance card
Healthcare in Canada requires a health insurance card. Provinces and territories issue these cards to inhabitants. Newcomers can apply for the card at the nearest provincial government office. In-person applications are required. Proof of domicile, government-issued ID, and immigration status are usually required by all provinces.
Your health card arrives at home after verification. Hospitals and doctors require this card.
Free medical services
Every province and territory offers free phone health advice. 811 connects callers to registered nurses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Names vary by province/territory: TeleHealth in Ontario and Health Links in Manitoba. These health lines advise patients on whether to consult a doctor but do not diagnose or prescribe.
Community health centers (CHC) are available nationwide if a health line recommends seeing a doctor without insurance. Most CHCs take provincial insurance, although those waiting for it can use them.
In an emergency, contact 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital.
Healthcare in Canada by Province
Provincial insurance plans have the same healthcare criteria and benefits. However, the duration and scope of health coverage may differ
Alberta
- Provincial insurance name: Alberta’s provincial insurance Plan.
- Permanent residents: Coverage begins on arrival.
- Coverage: Includes medically essential doctor visits, dental and oral surgery, and hospital stays. Partial podiatry and optometry coverage.
- Free phone health advice: 811 or Health Link.
British Columbia
- Provincial insurance name: Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage may start three months after your arrival date.
- Coverage: Includes services by physicians and midwives, dental and oral surgery performed in a hospital, necessary eye exams, x-rays, and some orthodontic services. Other services may include supplementary benefits such as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy, and non-surgical podiatry.
- Free health advice by phone: Dial 811 or access HealthLinkBC.
Manitoba
- Provincial insurance name: Manitoba Health and Seniors Care
- Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage begins on the first day of the third month after arrival.
- Coverage: Includes physicians’ services, surgeries, and x-ray and laboratory services when physician orders.
- Free health advice by phone: Dial 204-788-8200 / 1-888-315-9257 or access Health Links-Info Santé
New Brunswick
- Provincial insurance name: New Brunswick Medicare and Drug Plans
- Eligibility for permanent residents: Once a completed application form is received and eligibility is established, a letter indicating the actual start date of the New Brunswick Medicare coverage is issued and followed by a New Brunswick Medicare card.
- Coverage: Includes physician’s services, specified surgical dental procedures, and most hospital services.
- Free health advice by phone: Dial 811 or access Tele-Care.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Provincial insurance name: Medical Care Plan (MCP)
- Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage begins from the arrival date.
- Coverage: Includes physician’s services, hospital visits, surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, pre-and post-operative care, complete maternity care, radiology interpretive services, and specific surgical-dental procedures.
- Free health advice by phone: Dial 811 or access 811 HealthLine.
Northwest Territories
Territorial insurance name: NWT Health Care Plan
- Eligibility for permanent residents: When your application has been approved, you will receive an NWT Health Care Card. Considering processing and mailing time, it takes about six weeks from the time of application for your healthcare card to reach you.
- Coverage: Includes basic hospital and medical treatment.
- Free health advice by phone: Access Tele-Care NWT at 90 sites across the territory.
Nova Scotia
- Provincial insurance name: Medical Services Insurance (MSI) Program
- Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage begins from the arrival date.
- Coverage: Includes physician’s services, hospital services, medical, dental, prostheses, and some optometry services.
- Free health advice by phone: Dial 811 or access 811.Novascotia.Ca.
Nunavut
- Territorial insurance name: Nunavut Health Care Plan
- Eligibility for permanent residents: Health coverage may become effective on the first day of the third month, provided you meet all eligibility requirements.
- Coverage: Includes the cost of physician and hospital services.
- Free health advice by phone: Services not available.
Ontario
- Provincial insurance name: Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
- Eligibility for permanent residents: Newcomers were previously required to wait up to three months for OHIP coverage unless they qualified for immediate coverage. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this waiting period has been waived.
- Coverage: Doctor visits, hospital visits and stays, medical or surgical abortions, eligible dental surgery and optometry, podiatry, ambulance services, and travel for health services if you live in northern Ontario.
- Free health advice by phone: Dial 1-866-797-0000 / 1-866-797-0007 or access Telehealth Ontario.
Prince Edward Island
- Provincial insurance name: PEI Health Card
- Then, Eligibility for permanent residents: Coverage begins from the date of arrival.
- Coverage: Includes childhood immunizations, primary care such as diagnosis, treatment, education, disease prevention and screening, and in-patient or out-patient hospital services.
- Lastly, Free health advice by phone: Dial 811 or access 811 Telehealth.
Québec
- Provincial insurance name: Québec Health Insurance Plan
- Eligibility for permanent residents: Waiting for up to three months from arrival date.
- Coverage: Includes medical procedures, anesthetics, examinations, eye drops, diagnostic mammograms, urine and glycemia tests, and vasectomy.
- Free health advice by phone: Dial 811 or access Info-Santé 811.
Saskatchewan
- Provincial insurance name: Saskatchewan Health Cards
- Eligibility for permanent residents: Health Card applications are usually processed within six to eight weeks after the application is received — not including mailing time.
- Coverage: Includes all medically necessary services provided by physicians (inpatient and outpatient services), physiotherapy or occupational therapy, screening mammography, immunization services, sexually transmitted infections (STI) treatment, HIV testing, services for treating alcohol and drug abuse problems, mental health services, problem gambling services, and some supplementary health services.
- Free health advice by phone: Dial 811 or access HealthLine 8-1-1.
Know your health coverage
Even without a government health card, Canada provides free emergency medical treatment to immigrants. Visit the nearest hospital for emergencies. Walk-in clinics may charge non-residents.
Provincial insurance usually covers basic medical treatments. The government may not cover prescription drugs, dental care, physiotherapy, ambulance services, or prescription eyewear. If you don’t have private insurance, you’ll pay. Many firms provide extended health insurance to cover situations not covered by provincial insurance. Before signing the offer letter, ask your company about these perks and know your options.
Find a local family doctor.
Many Canadians see a family doctor for medical care and checkups. Family doctors, often known as General Practitioners (GPs), treat you and your family and refer you to specialists.
- Asking a friend, colleague, relative, or acquaintance
- Contacting an immigrant-serving group
- Local community health centers
- Checking provincial websites for family doctors
- Find a family doctor, dentist, optometrist, or other healthcare provider using Sun Life’s Lumino Health
Vaccinations and record-keeping
Your family doctor will capture your medical history and analyze your health requirements during your initial session. They may also recommend necessary family vaccines.
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