Canada’s public healthcare system extends eligible residents with access to essential medical care services. The services commonly cover visits to doctors, hospital care, medically necessary surgeries, consultations and diagnostic tests.
However, coverage outside these core services varies considerably. Services such as prescription medications taken outside a hospital, routine dental treatment, eyeglasses, cosmetic procedures and some other services may not be covered by provincial health insurance. Many therefore use employer-sponsored benefits or private health insurance to supplement the provincial coverage.
Eligible immigrants can access Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system. Eligibility depends on immigration status and the province or territory of residence. New residents should apply for a provincial or territorial health card to access the covered medical services. Coverage may not begin immediately in every province. Eligible residents generally receive coverage for medically necessary hospital and physician services.
The application process, required documents and processing time will vary depending on where you live. For some provinces you may apply online or by mail and in other provinces you may have to apply in person. To apply usually you will need documents showing your identity, Canadian immigration/citizenship status, and residential address. You can apply through your provincial health authority or an authorized government service centre. For example, in Ontario, you apply for an OHIP health card through ServiceOntario.
Residents in Canada who are eligible can apply for a provincial or territorial health card to access publicly funded medical and hospital services. Waiting period rules vary by province, status and circumstances.
You can get healthcare in Canada with the help of provincial and territorial healthcare websites. Through the website you can get information on nearby doctors, hospitals and specialists. Further, you can also search online using your postal code to quickly locate healthcare providers and medical facilities in your area.
A family doctor will provide with regular medical care and will help in maintaining continuity of treatment. Since many physicians may not be accepting new patients, finding one can sometimes take time. Finding a family doctor may take time, depending on the location.
New residents can look for doctors in many ways. You can search in provincial health websites, search online with postal code, search in local community services, or get recommendations from people you know. You can also contact the clinics directly to check for available doctors.
For medical emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not delay care because you do not have a health card
The public healthcare system in Canada commonly covers prescription medications that are provided to patients during a hospital stay; however, those purchased from pharmacies outside hospitals may not be covered by basic provincial health insurance. Coverage of the prescription drugs varies by province and can depend on factors such as age, income and medical needs.
Mental health is an important part of healthcare in Canada and support is available for concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress and addiction. For mental health, newcomers can seek help through doctors, hospitals, crisis services and community organizations. Settlement agencies can also connect newcomers with local mental health resources and support.
Some useful organizations which can help people find mental health resources in their community are the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and eMentalHealth.ca.
Private health insurance will provide you with coverage at the time of provincial waiting periods, depending on the policy. It will also help to pay for services which are not usually covered by public healthcare system, such as dental care, prescription medicines outside hospitals and certain treatments. This additional coverage can make it easier for newcomers to manage unexpected healthcare costs.
Canada’s healthcare system provides essential medical services to eligible residents but you understand that the rules and coverage vary by province. For getting the benefits immigrants must know their eligibility, apply for a health card, and use available healthcare resources ImmiLaw Immigration can help immigrants understand the process and access the right information and support as they settle in Canada.
Yes. Eligible immigrants and permanent residents can apply for provincial or territorial health coverage. Eligible residents generally receive coverage for medically necessary hospital and physician services.
Many essential medical services in Canada are publicly covered, but eligibility and waiting periods vary by province. Medically necessary hospital and physician services are publicly funded, but not all healthcare services are covered.
You can apply for a health card through the health authority in your province or territory.
Yes. Your health card is generally required to confirm your provincial healthcare coverage.
Private insurance may help during waiting periods, depending on the policy and help cover services excluded from public plans.
No. Each province and territory has its own healthcare plan and eligibility requirements. Eligibility depends on immigration status and the province or territory of residence.
You can consult your provincial or territorial health authority for current information on eligibility, coverage and healthcare services.
Some provinces have no waiting period, while others may require up to three months.
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