Is health insurance free in Canada? It has been noticed that so many people who wants to immigrate to Canada are seeking for answers to this question. This article explores all you need to know about health insurance in Canada.
In Canada, public health insurance is available to eligible residents. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for provincial health insurance.
Canada has a decentralized, universal, publicly funded health system called Canadian Medicare. Health care in Canada is funded and administered primarily by the country’s 13 provinces and territories. Each has its own insurance plan, and each receives cash assistance from the federal government on a per-capital basis. Benefits and delivery approaches vary.
Although the Canadian government provides health insurance coverage to all of its residents, the provincial health plans cover only a handful of services. And the government usually reduces the number of services that are covered each year. If you need treatment that isn’t covered by your provincial health plan, you’re responsible for paying the bill out of your own pocket.
In this article
- Is Health Insurance Free In Canada?
- How to access free health care in Canada
- Who pays for health care in Canada?
- When to apply for free health care
- What do Provincial and Territorial health care programs cover?
- What to do if you lose your health card?
- Documents you need to apply for a health card to access free health care
- Who is eligible for free healthcare in Canada?
- How many people have health insurance in Canada?
- Is private health insurance worth it in Canada?
- What are the benefits of private healthcare in Canada?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Is Health Insurance Free In Canada?
The Canadian health care system has been a resounding success since its introduction in the country in 1967. The publicly funded health care system provides health services that are mostly free to Canadian citizens and managed and administered on a provincial and territorial level guided under the Canadian Health Act.
While the government aims to ensure the quality of service through federal standards, with very few exceptions, all citizens qualify for health care services regardless of medical history, income and standard of living.
However, the publicly funded healthcare system does not cover prescription drugs, home care or long-term care, prescription glasses or dental care. Therefore Canadian citizens pay for these services either out of their pockets or through private medical insurance and employer-sponsored plans.
How to access free health care in Canada
To access free health care, you need to apply for a provincial health card. Once you are approved, you will receive your provincial health card. The health card proves that you are covered by a provincial health care program. You will have to show your health card each time you visit a doctor or receive any medical care.
You can get an application form from:
- A doctor’s office
- A hospital
- A pharmacy
- A settlement service agency
- You can apply online
You cannot apply for health care coverage before you arrive in Canada.
Accessing free health care is one of the reasons that Canada is known for having some of the best health care in the world. And if you’re moving to Canada, here are some important things to know about how to access free health care and the medical system. As a newcomer, knowing how to get free medical care when you’re sick, or have an accident can save you from worry and out-of-pocket expenses.
Who pays for health care in Canada?
In Canada, public health care is paid for through tax money. Basic health care services, like hospital visits and medical treatment, are free. All Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply for public health insurance. This insurance can save you money and provide you and your family peace of mind when it comes to health care.
When to apply for free health care
You should apply for health care coverage as soon as you land in Canada because there may be a waiting period before you are eligible to apply. So, apply right after you land to minimize your waiting!
What do Provincial and Territorial health care programs cover?
Each provincial health care program may provide slightly different coverage, so find out what is covered in the province where you live. In general, government health care programs cover things such as:
- Appointments with your family doctor
- Visits to walk-in clinics and some other health care providers
- Visits to an emergency room
- Medical tests and surgeries
- Necessary surgery
- Laboratory and other diagnostic procedures
Some examples of the hospital and medical services not covered by provincial health care programs include:
- Most prescription drugs
- Dental services
- Eye exams and eye wear, like glasses or contacts
- Appliances such as hearing aids, crutches, wheelchairs
- Visits to physiotherapists, chiropractors, or similar health providers
- Ambulance service
What to do if you lose your health card?
If you lose your health care card, contact the provincial health ministry to replace your card as soon as possible. You may have to pay a small replacement fee.
It’s a good idea to carry your health card in your wallet at all times in case of a medical emergency. In an emergency, hospitals will treat you without seeing your card first but, you will have to show your card later if you want the province to cover your hospital bills.
Documents you need to apply for a health card to access free health care
To apply for a provincial health card, you’ll require identification to prove your Canadian citizenship or eligible immigration status. So, you’ll need your:
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- PR card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence
It’s best to confirm what documents you’ll need with the provincial or territorial health care program where you plan to live.
Who is eligible for free healthcare in Canada?
Free health insurance in Canada is available only to residents of Canada.
A resident of Canada is ‘a person lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada who makes his/her home and is ordinarily present in the province, but does not include a tourist, a transient or a visitor to the province.’
If you’re moving to Canada on a permanent basis (and/or on a work visa), you can apply for a Medicare health insurance card in your province. This will typically take three months to be issued, but once you’ve got it, you’re covered by your province’s Medicare plan.
During this three-month wait for a health insurance card, it’s wise to have some short-term private medical cover. If you find yourself in hospital needing treatment, you’ll be billed for it – even for emergency care.
How many people have health insurance in Canada?
Given the issues that Medicare faces (particularly with prescription medicine costs and lengthy waiting times), it won’t surprise you to hear that around 66% of Canadians have some form of private medical cover.
Private health insurance policies in Canada usually cover things such as prescription medicine, ambulance services, dental care, eye care, physiotherapy, and so on.
About 80% of Canadians with medical cover are part of an employer-based ‘group health insurance’ scheme, meaning the other third have their own personal policies. However, Canadian employers are not legally required to offer group health insurance, so if you’re moving to Canada for work, be sure to check whether your new employer provides medical cover.
If you don’t expect to receive any employment-based health insurance or you want something more extensive, some group health insurance policies can be fairly limited. It’s advisable to sort out some cover before you go.
Is private health insurance worth it in Canada?
The importance of having private medical cover in Canada obviously depends on your situation. If you’re young, fit and healthy, then you might not be inclined to take out any extra insurance, but it could be a worthwhile expense if:
- You take regular prescription medicine
- You are elderly
- You’ll be travelling between Canadian provinces/territories a lot (explained below)
- Your Canadian employer doesn’t offer any kind of group health insurance
- Your Canadian employer’s group health insurance isn’t extensive enough
- You’re used to receiving medical treatment privately, and wish to continue doing so.
What are the benefits of private healthcare in Canada?
- If it’s a case of choosing between a personal health insurance plan and your company’s group health insurance plan, be sure to investigate what your employer is offering, and find out exactly what you’ll be paying for it.
- You’ll avoid the lengthy waiting times associated with Medicare. Having to wait for treatment is at best a huge inconvenience and at worse a very serious issue.
- You won’t be subject to the restrictions of some provincial health insurance plans. Most provinces/territories only support residents within their own borders, meaning if you end up in an accident outside of your ‘home region’, you’ll have to pay up. Private medical cover means you won’t have to foot bills in other parts of the country.
- It’s likely you’ll be able to stay in private rooms, and in nicer hospitals.
- Most importantly, you’ll have peace of mind that you have an extra safety net.
Frequently Asked Questions
So is healthcare in Canada any good?
Compared to the standard of healthcare in the US, yes Canada is very good. Canadians spend less per capita than their American neighbours.
Do tourists get free healthcare in Canada?
No, tourists in Canada cannot use the public healthcare system. If you’re just visiting Canada for a holiday or a short stay, it makes sense to have a private medical cover or travel insurance.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide about free health insurance in Canada will help you to know more about the Canadian healthcare system.
