How to get healthcare in Canada

When I first moved to Canada I was pretty confused as to how healthcare worked here. How do I access healthcare if I need it? How do I get a doctor? What’s the public healthcare system, what does and doesn’t it cover me for…? So, channeling my own confusion from when I first moved, I’ve put together this guide which explains all you need to know about how healthcare works in Canada and what that means for you and your family.

If it’s temporary health insurance you’re interested in then you can read our guide on visitor to Canada health insurance here.

Healthcare is free – mostly.

The headline good news is that healthcare in Canada is largely free at the point of use. If you are Canadian citizen or permanent resident (and most cases temporary resident such as work permit or study visa) medically necessary health care services are covered by public health insurance which is paid for through taxes.

Each province and territory has their own health insurance plan but the basic idea is the same – things like seeing your family doctors, receiving medically necessary tests and going to hospital are all covered by the public health insurance.

Healthcare is not free to visitors to Canada. If you’re a visitor you’ll need to get visitor to Canada health insurance.

It varies slightly by province and territory but generally, the big thing that is not covered by public health insurance is prescription medication but other things not covered normally include dental care, prescription eyecare, and strangely, ambulances.

While healthcare is largely paid for publicly, it is delivered privately. That is to say most healthcare services are delivered by private companies or not-for-profit organisations who  charge the provincial government for services rendered to patients.   

You won’t be covered by public health insurance immediately.

As a newcomer to Canada you will be covered by the public health insurance if you are a permanent resident, citizen or, in most cases, a temporary resident such as those on work permits or international students (see the province specific section below for eligibility in your province or territory).

However you likely won’t be covered by the public health insurance as soon as you arrive in Canada. Most provinces and territories have a waiting period of three months before you will be covered by the public health insurance. You should consider getting private medical insurance for this wait period. There are a number of insurers that provide insurance specifically geared towards this.

You need to apply for a public health card.

You need to apply for a health insurance card to be able to use healthcare for free. You should do this soon after arriving in Canada even if there is a wait period.

How to access healthcare service as a newcomer

What do I do if I need to access healthcare services?

When I needed to access healthcare for the first time in Canada I was a little confused how to do it. If you’re critically ill it’s fairly obvious, you go to the hospital or call an ambulance. But what about everything else – what’s your first point of call?

Chances are that as a newcomer you won’t have a family doctor yet. But a family doctor would normally be your first point of contact for whenever you need medical care. They cover a broad spectrum of healthcare needs from diagnosis to treatment, prescriptions for medication and they can refer you onto a specialist when needed.

If you don’t have a family doctor yet, then you can use walk-in medical clinics. Walk-in medical clinics provide pretty much the same services as family doctors but you generally can’t make an appointment, you turn up and wait. You also won’t necessarily see the same practitioner you saw last time. But the crucial point here is that walk-in clinics can provide very similar services to your family doctor and can refer you on for specialist diagnosis and treatments the same as a family doctor would.

Often wait times for walk-in clinics can be long, so chose which one you go to wisely. The best ones display live wait times on their website or app, so try and look for ones that have this feature.

Another first point of call to access medical services is over the phone. In most provinces they have a service you can call and speak to a registered nurse who will try and diagnose you over the phone and then direct you where to go next for further diagnosis or treatment.

These methods will pretty much always be your entry point into whatever medical care – you can’t go straight to a specialist for example without a referral from a primary care practitioner.

How do I get a family doctor?

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) the number of doctors in Canada is growing at more than double the rate of the population. Despite this, millions of Canadians don’t have a family doctor. Obviously there will be an array of reasons for this but finding a family doctor can be a bit of a challenge. So you’re going to have to put in some time to finding one.

Google maps is your friend. Search your local area for family doctors and call them up. I spent quite a while calling around lots of doctors in our area and was basically told by them all that they were not accepting new patients.

Keep an eye out for new doctors’ practices opening up who will be taking on a whole bunch of patients and look on your province’s College of Physicians website to search for doctors in your area.

There’s also services you can sign up for in several provinces to help you find a doctor. Basically you register with them and then they try to find you a doctor in your area who is accepting new patients. You should definitely sign up for this service.

I did a combination of all of approaches above and it took about 3 months to find a family doctor – eventually through Ontario’s service to find a doctor (Heath Care Connect).

Supplementary health insurance

As I mentioned earlier in the article, government funded health insurance doesn’t cover all the costs that you might encounter with your healthcare. Things that your provincial heath insurance may not fully cover include:

• prescription medications
• dental care
• ambulance services
• physiotherapy
• opticians and glasses

According to the Commonwealth Fund, public health insurance covers around 70% of an average Canadian’s medical expenses with the other 30% being paid privately – either through patient out-of-pocket payments or employer based or private supplementary insurance .

Around two-thirds of Canadians have supplementary insurance to cover aspects of healthcare not covered by the public system. Of those with supplementary insurance, 90% were paid by employers. My point from these stats is that most Canadians have supplementary insurance to extend that provided by the public system and most of those get the extra insurance through their work. So you should definitely consider whether you want supplementary insurance based on your circumstances. When you are considering your overall coverage, keep in mind that if you are employed or about to be employed, it’s likely that your employer will provide some form of additional health insurance.

Province and territory healthcare specifics

Click below to jump to your province or territory:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Alberta

Public health insurance in Alberta is known as the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)

Coverage wait period
Wait period is up to 3 months (coverage will be effective on the first day of the third month after you arrive). You should apply as soon as you arrive.

Eligibility
You are eligible for AHCIP coverage if you are:

• legally entitled to be or to remain in Canada and make your permanent home in Alberta
• committed to being physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in a 12-month period
• not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another province, territory or country

Some temporary residents are also eligible such as those on a work permit of 6 months or more.

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• non-medically required surgery such as cosmetic procedures, vasectomy reversal, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• medical advice with a patient by telephone, unless otherwise stated in the Schedule of Medical Benefits or Schedule of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Benefits
• health services provided by a provider other than a physician (for example: chiropractor, acupuncturist, massage therapist, homeopath, nutritionist, psychologist, physician assistant or nurse practitioner)
• vision care such as routine eye exams for residents 19 to 64 years of age, refractive laser eye surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses
• routine dental care services, such as cleaning, fillings and extraction of wisdom teeth
• prescription drugs provided in non-hospital settings. Prescriptions are covered or subsidised for some groups – such as those on income support.
• vaccinations for travel purposes and some immunizations
  • call Health Link at 811 or go to Alberta Health Services – Immunization to find out about immunizations and exceptions
• assisted reproductive technologies, including fertility treatments and in vitro fertilization
• health services requested by a third-party, such as medicals for employment, insurance or sports
• medical forms and notes
• clinical psychologist services
• driver’s medical exam for patients 74.5 years of age of older
• payment for diagnostic imaging referred by chiropractors, physiotherapists and audiologists

Read more about health care insurance in Alberta here.

British Columbia

Heath care public insurance in British Columbia is known as the Medical Services Plan (MSP).

Coverage wait period
Wait period is up to 3 months (remainder of the month you arrive in BC plus two months). But you should apply as soon as you arrive.

Eligibility
You must meet all of these conditions:

• must be a citizen of Canada or be lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence;
• must make his or her home in B.C.; and
• must be physically present in B.C. at least six months in a calendar year, or a shorter prescribed period.

Some holders of Study and/or Work Permits, or Work Permits on Working Holiday Programs — which are issued under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and are valid for a period of six or more months — may be eligible also.

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• services that are deemed to be not medically required, such as cosmetic surgery;
• dental services, except as outlined under benefits;
• routine eye examinations for persons 19 to 64 years of age;
• eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other equipment or appliances;
• prescription drugs (prescriptions are covered or subsidised for some groups – such as those on income support)
• acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy and non-surgical podiatry services (except for MSP beneficiaries receiving supplementary benefits);
• preventive services and screening tests not supported by evidence of medical effectiveness (for example, routine annual “complete” physical examinations, whole body CT scans, prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests);
• services of counsellors or psychologists;
• medical examinations, certificates or tests required for:
  • driving a motor vehicle
  • employment
  • life insurance
  • school or university
  • recreational and sporting activities
  • immigration purposes

Read more about health care insurance in British Columbia here.

Manitoba

Public health insurance in Manitoba  is known as the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan.

Coverage wait period
Wait period is up to 3 months. Coverage will begin on the first day of the third month after your arrival in Manitoba.

Eligibility
You must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or;
• Have Immigration status as outlined in The Health Services Insurance Act:
  • Permanent Residents
  • Work Permit holders and their spouse/dependants (Permit validity periods apply)
• Establish a permanent residence in Manitoba, and
• Reside (physically) in Manitoba six months in a calendar year

Services not covered
Some of the below services are partially covered. Learn more here.

• Health services requested by a 3rd party (e.g. exams and lab tests for employment, driver’s licenses, etc.).
• Most prescription drugs, unless given in a hospital and medically necessary. Prescriptions are covered or subsidised for some groups – such as those on income support.
• Ambulance transportation costs, unless being transported between medical facilities. Note that there is a Northern Patient Transportation Program available for residents who live north of the 53rd parallel).
• Private and semi-private hospital rooms.
• Chiropodists, podiatrists and acupuncturists.
• Psychologists and dieticians (unless service is performed in a hospital).
• Private nursing.
• Any procedure or service not medically required (e.g. cosmetic surgery).
• All chiropractic services that are not considered adjustments.
• Personal home care received out of province.
• Extra costs associated with private and semi-private hospital rooms.
• Advice rendered over the telephone.
• Routine eye exams are not covered if you are aged 19 to 64.
• Any chiropractic services required as a result of an automobile accident if covered by Manitoba Public Insurance.

Read more about health care insurance in Manitoba here.

New Brunswick

Public health insurance in New Brunswick is known as Medicare.

Coverage wait period
Foreign Nationals or Canadians moving back to New Brunswick from another country are entitled to Medicare coverage from their first day of arrival in the province.

Eligibility
You must be:

• a Canadian citizen or be legally entitled to remain in Canada and a resident who makes his/her permanent and principle home in New Brunswick; or
• an international student who meets the eligibility criteria.

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• acupuncture;
• advice or prescription renewal by telephone;
• ambulance services, as well as transportation costs to and from your place of residence to obtain medical or hospital services;
• anesthesia for dental work (except for specific circumstances);
• artificial insemination;
• blood taken in a doctor’s office;
• breast enlargement for cosmetic purposes;
• circumcision of newborns;
• complete medical examinations for the purpose of an annual check-up;
• dental services provided by a physician;
• dentures;
• drugs and medicines;
• elective plastic surgery or other services for cosmetic purposes;
• examinations, immunizations, diagnostic or other services at the request of any third party for the purposes of employment, travel, emigration or insurance;
• eye-glasses, frames or contact lenses, as well as refractions for prescription eye-glasses;
• gastric stapling or gastric bypass (stomach stapling);
• hospital visits solely for the administration of drugs, vaccines, serums or biological products;
• hypnosis;
• immunizations which are available through Public Health clinics, unless medical reasons require that they be given by a physician;
• medical materials;
• medications for the patient to take home from the hospital;
• otoplasty (correction of prominent ears) for those over 18 years of age;
• prosthetic devices or appliances, artificial limbs and such returnable items as walkers, special crutches and braces;
• removal of minor skin lesions such as warts – except when cancer is suspected;
• reversal of tubal ligation and vasectomy;
• services covered by the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission of New Brunswick, the Department of Veterans Affairs or under other legislation;
• services generally accepted within New Brunswick as experimental or that are provided as applied research;
• services provided by: chiropractors,chiropodists, dentists (except as stated previously), massotherapists, naturopaths,opticians, optometrists, orthodontists, osteopaths, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists or private duty nurses;
• subsequent injections for impotence following initial injection;
• surgical supplies; and
• the difference in rate between standard hospital accommodations and a semi-private or private room.

Read more about health care insurance in New Brunswick here.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Public health insurance in Newfoundland and Labrador is known as the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP).

Coverage wait period
If you move to Newfoundland and Labrador fromoutside Canada, you are be eligible for  coverage from the first day if you are a permanent resident, citizen or on a work permit valid for at least 183 days: 

Eligibility
You must be legally in Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador and be either:

• Canadian citizen
• Permanent resident
• International student
• International worker

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• physician’s advice given by telephone
• drugs and vaccines. Prescriptions are covered or subsidised for some groups – such as those on income support.
• provision of medical appliances
• writing of prescriptions
• preparation of records, reports or certificates
• services available under other provincial or federal legislation
• physician’s travel time and expenses
• ambulance services or other transportation
• acupuncture and subsequent related services
• non-medically necessary examinations or examinations required by third parties (e.g. annual check-up, employment, pre-school or drivers’ medicals, etc.)
• surgery for cosmetic purposes
• physician’s testimony given in a court
• eye examinations for corrective lenses
• routine, in-hospital, dental extractions
• the difference between general practice and specialist rates for non-referred patients
• services provided by chiropractors, optometrists, podiatrists, naturopaths, osteopaths, physiotherapists, nurses or other paramedical personnel
• newborn circumcisions
• hypnotherapy
• consultations required due to hospital policy
• alcohol / drug dependency treatment outside Canada
• Services provided in private non-approved Canadian diagnostic imaging facilities (e.g. MRI, CT, X-ray, etc.)
• therapeutic abortions performed outside Canada, or at a non-approved Canadian facility
• in-vitro fertilization and ovarian stimulation and sperm transfer
• reversal of a previous sterilization procedure

Read more about health care insurance in Newfoundland and Labrador here.

Northwest Territories

Public health insurance in the Northwest Territories (NWT) is known as the NWT Health Care Plan.

Coverage wait period
If you move to the NWT from outside Canada, you are be eligible for coverage from the first day you arrive in the NWT. 

Eligibility
Residents of the NWT are eligible for health care if:

• They are lawfully entitled to be or remain in Canada, and
• They make their home in and are present in the NWT at least 153 days during each calendar year.

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• hospital charges above the standard ward rate for private or semi-private accommodation
• services that are not medically required, such as cosmetic surgery
• services that are considered experimental
• ambulance charges (except inter-hospital transfers)
• dental services, other than specific procedures related to jaw injury or disease
• alcohol and drug rehabilitation, unless prior approved
• prescription drugs
• physical examinations done at the request of a third party for such things as: preschool or insurance medicals, food handlers or driver’s license examinations, or obtaining a passport or pre-employment requirements
• optometric services
• the services of chiropractors, naturopaths, podiatrists, osteopaths, and acupuncture treatments
• physiotherapy, speech therapy and psychology services received in a facility that is not an insured outpatient facility (hospital)

Read more about health care insurance in the NWT here.

Nova Scotia

Public health insurance in Nova Scotia is known as Nova Scotia Medical Service Insurance (MSI)

Coverage wait period
If you move to Nova Scotia fromoutside Canada, you are be eligible for coverage from the first day. 

Eligibility
To be eligible for Nova Scotia Medical Service Insurance benefits you must be:

• a Canadian Citizen or “Permanent Resident” (Landed Immigrant);
• a resident who makes his/her permanent home in Nova Scotia;
• present in the province 183 days every calendar year.

Those on work permits or study visas are also eligible if their permit/visa is valid for at least 1 year.

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• Ambulance services, with the exception of transportation between medical facilities (e.g. hospitals).
• Routine dental services (e.g. cleanings, fillings, scalings, etc.) with the exception of people under the age of 14.
• Prescription medications if you are under the age of 65. Prescriptions may also be covered or subsidised for some other groups – such as those on income support.
• Paramedical services such as podiatrists, chiropractors, naturopaths, massage therapists, osteopaths and physiotherapy.
• There is very limited medical coverage for Nova Scotians travelling out of province.
• Visioncare (e.g. glasses, contact lenses and eye examinations for residents aged 10 to 64).
• Durable medical equipment such as crutches or wheelchairs. Note: there is an Assistive Devices program for children that is run by the Abilities Foundation of Nova Scotia
• Hearing aids. Note that there are exceptions (e.g. the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, or FNIHB).
• Difference in cost between standard hospital rooms and semi-private and private rooms.
• Cosmetic surgeries.

Read more about health care insurance in Nova Scotia here.

Nunavut

Public health insurance in Nunavut is known as the Nunavut Health Care Plan.

Coverage wait period
3 months. 

Eligibility
Those eligible:

• Permanent residents of Nunavut. A “permanent resident” of Nunavut is a person who has Nunavut as their primary place of residence
• People holding an employment or student visa valid for one year or more. The visa must have a Nunavut address

If you are on a work visa it must be valid for a minimum of 1 year. You can’t apply to the Yukon Health Insurance Plan if you are on a study visa

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• Yearly physicals between the ages of 10 and 65
• Cosmetic surgery
• Prescription drugs
• Physical examinations done at the request of a third party for: preschool or insurance medicals, food handlers or driver’s license examinations, or obtaining a passport or pre-employment requirements, etc.
• Optometric services
• Dental services other than specific procedures related to jaw injury or disease
• The services of chiropractors, naturopaths, podiatrists, osteopaths, and acupuncture treatments
• Physiotherapy, speech therapy and psychology services received in a facility that is not an insured hospital
• Hospital charges above the standard ward rate for private or semi-private accommodation
• Services that are not medically required, such as cosmetic surgery
• Services that are considered experimental
• Ambulance charges (except inter-hospital transfers)
• Dental services, other than specific procedures related to jaw injury or disease
• Alcohol and drug rehabilitation

Read more about health care insurance in Nunavut here.

Ontario

Public health insurance in Ontario is known as the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

Coverage wait period
Wait period is up to 3 months. But you should apply as soon as you arrive.

Eligibility
To meet the minimum qualifications you must meet all of these:

• be physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12‑month period
• be physically in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after you began living in the province
• make Ontario your primary home

And you must also meet at least one of the following additional requirements. You:

• are a Canadian citizen
• are an Indigenous person (registered under the federal Indian Act)
• are a permanent resident (formerly called a “landed immigrant”)
• have applied for permanent residence, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has confirmed that:
  • you meet the eligibility requirements to apply
  • you have not yet been denied
• are in Ontario on a valid work permit and are working full-time in Ontario, for an Ontario employer, for at least six months
• your spouse and any dependents also qualify if you do
• are in Ontario on a valid work permit under the federal Live-in Caregiver Program
• are a convention refugee or other protected person (as defined by Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada)
• have a Temporary Resident Permit (only certain case types, e.g. 86 through 95)
• are a clergy member who can legally stay in Canada and is ministering full time in Ontario for at least six months
• your spouse and any dependents also qualify if you do

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• prescription drugs provided in non-hospital settings
• dental services provided in a dentist’s office
• eyeglasses, contact lenses
• laser eye surgery
• cosmetic surgery

Read more about health care insurance in Ontario here.

Prince Edward Island

Public health insurance in Prince Edward Island is sometimes referred to as PEI Medicare.

Coverage wait period
If you move to PEI fromoutside Canada, you are be eligible for  coverage from the first day if you are a permanent resident, citizen or on a work permit valid for at least 183 days: 

Eligibility
You must be legally in Canada and PEI is your primary residence for at least six months plus a day each year. This includes:

• Canadian citizen
• Permanent resident
• an international student
• Those on work permits valid for at least 183 days.

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• Doctor’s travel time.
• Immunizations (e.g. for travel and the flu shot).
• Third-party examinations.
• Telephone advice or prescriptions given over the phone.
• Routine dental services such as examinations, fillings, cleanings and extractions (unless medically necessary and done in hospital).
• Any cosmetic surgery that is not medically required.
• Eye glasses, lenses and medical appliances such as hearing aids and artifical limbs.
• Acupuncturists, acupressurists, audiologists, chiropodists, chiropractors, dieticians, homeopaths, naturopaths, optometrists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, osteopaths, and services done by a dentist.
• There are ambulance user fees, unless an ambulance is considered “urgent” and the resident is a senior (65+ years old). For more information go here.
• Prescriptions are generally not covered. Prescriptions are covered or subsidised for some groups – such as those on income support.

Read more about health care insurance in PEI here.

Quebec

Public health insurance in Quebec is known as the Québec Health Insurance Plan or Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) .

Coverage wait period
3 months. Coverage starts on the 1st day of the 3rd month following the date on which you settled in Québec.

Eligibility
You must:

• Be authorized to stay in Canada
• Have your main residence in Québec and be present here consistently
• Not be absent from Québec 183 days or more in your first 12 months of eligibility

Some temporary residents are also eligible such as those who hold a specific work permit valid for more than 6 months.

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• services rendered for cosmetic reasons
• Corrective laser surgery or other eye surgery aimed at doing away with eyeglasses or contact lenses
• acupuncture
• treatment of varicose veins by injection and the examination made at that time, in a private medical office
• psycho-analysis (except when rendered in a facility authorized for this purpose by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux)
• consultations by phone, fax, email or regular mail

In Quebec health coverage partially or fully covers dental services, optometry services and prescription drugs depending on your situation.  

Read more about health care insurance in Quebec here.

Saskatchewan

Coverage wait period
Wait period is up to 3 months. On, or before, the first day of the third month after arriving in Canada.

Eligibility
You are eligible for coverage if you are:

• Permanent residents (landed immigrants)
• People discharged from the Canadian Forces
• Non-immigrants who are in Canada in connection with their trade or profession
• International students
• Returning spouses of Canadian Forces members
• Returning Canadian citizens      

Some temporary residents are also eligible.

Services not covered
Some of the below services are partially covered. Learn more here.

• Home Care
• Long term care
• Dental
• Optometric services
• Prescription drugs

Read more about health care insurance in Saskatchewan here.

Yukon

Public health insurance in Yukon is known as the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (YHCIP).

Coverage wait period
3 months. 

Eligibility
To be eligible for the Yukon Health Insurance Plan you must:  

• be a Canadian citizen or have immigration status;
• make your permanent home in Yukon; and
• be physically present in Yukon, and not absent for more than 6 months.

If you are on a work visa it must be valid for a minimum of 1 year. You can’t apply to the Yukon Health Insurance Plan if you are on a study visa

Services not covered
The following service are not routinely covered:

• Services provided by optometrists and dispensing opticians, including provision of eyeglasses
• Appliances (eg. Braces and walkers), except for some medical appliances needed by children aged 16 year or younger
• Services provided by podiatrists, osteopaths, orthodontists and chiropractors
• Medical examinations not required for health reasons or those requested by a third party (eg. Employment medicals)
• Plastic and cosmetic surgery unless the plan gives prior approval
• Dental surgery performed outside a hospital
• Advice by telephone
• Long-distance telephone charges incurred in the course of arranging referrals
• Preparation of records, reports or certificates
• Laboratory or x-ray procedures performed in facilities not approved by the Plan
• Giving or writing prescriptions
• Supply or drugs outside hospital
• Any service that the administrator determines, during review, is not insured because it is not medically required.
• Dental procedures except where there has been prior approval given, and where the patient must be admitted to hospital

Read more about health care insurance in Yukon here.