As soon as you set foot in the maple leaf country, one of the most important things you need to do is learn about health insurance in Canada for newcomers. Canada is well known for its public healthcare system (Medicare), which covers most of the cost of basic medical care, but this benefit does not automatically apply from your very first day. Some provinces apply a waiting period of up to 3 months, and not every service is covered for free. This article will guide you on how to apply for a health card, fill the waiting-period gap, and understand which parts you must pay for yourself.
How does Canada’s public healthcare system (Medicare) work
Canada does not have a single, centrally run health insurance program for the whole country. Instead, each province and territory manages its own public healthcare program, based on the shared principles of the Canada Health Act. People commonly refer to this system as Medicare.
Theo Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), public healthcare covers necessary medical services such as doctor visits and treatment at public hospitals, and you do not have to pay directly at the point of care. Funding comes from taxes. This means that when you go for a checkup, you only need to present your provincial health card to prove you are registered, instead of paying a large bill.
Because each province has its own name and rules for its program, you will hear many different names. Understanding which program governs the province where you live is the first step to not missing out on your benefits.
Health cards by province: OHIP, MSP and other names
The health card is the “key” to accessing Medicare. Each province issues its own card, tied to that province’s health insurance program. Below are some common programs that Vietnamese settlers often encounter:
- Ontario – the OHIP program (Ontario Health Insurance Plan), home to a large Vietnamese community such as in Toronto and Mississauga.
- British Columbia – the MSP program (Medical Services Plan), common in Vancouver and the surrounding area.
- Alberta – the AHCIP program (Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan), in Calgary and Edmonton.
- Quebec – the RAMQ program, with some of its own rules on language and procedure.
Although the names differ, these programs are all similar in nature: they cover basic health services for eligible residents of the province. When you move from one province to another, you must also re-register for a health card in the new province. So, when learning about health insurance in Canada for newcomers, it is important to determine which province you will settle in so that you follow the correct procedure.
Waiting period and why you need temporary private insurance
This is the point that surprises many newcomers the most. Public healthcare benefits are not always effective from the day you land. According to official information from Canada’s immigration authority, in some provinces you may have to wait up to 3 months before your public health insurance takes effect.
The waiting-period rules vary among provinces. In British Columbia, according to the Province of British Columbia, the MSP waiting period is equal to the remainder of the month in which you establish residency, plus 2 more months. For example, if you arrive in August, the waiting period lasts through August, September and October, taking effect on November 1.
Conversely, some provinces have eliminated the waiting period. In Ontario, the mandatory 3-month wait was removed as of March 2020, meaning eligible people can be covered by OHIP as soon as they register. Since rules vary by province, you should check directly with the health authority of the province where you will live.
During this waiting period, if you happen to fall ill or have an accident, you will have to pay the entire hospital bill yourself, which can be very expensive. That is why the Canadian government recommends that newcomers purchase temporary private insurance to fill the gap before their public health card takes effect. This is a small expense that helps you avoid a major financial risk in the first few months.
Register for a health card right away: do it early to shorten the waiting period
Since the waiting period is usually counted from the date you establish residency, not the date you apply, the most important advice is to register for a health card as early as possible. Applying late does not let you start the waiting period sooner — it only pushes back the date your coverage takes effect.
The health card registration process usually includes the following basic steps:
- Find the health authority of the province where you live (usually a provincial service office or an online registration portal).
- Fill out that province’s health insurance application form.
- Prepare proof documents: your passport, permanent resident (PR) documents, and proof of residence in the province such as a lease or a utility bill.
- Submit the application and wait to receive the card by mail.
Settlement organizations can help you fill out the form and complete the procedure for free. If you are not yet comfortable with English, this is a very worthwhile source of support. Preparing complete documents before coming to Canada also helps this process go more smoothly; you can refer to the article what a Canadian immigration application needs to prepare early.
What health insurance in Canada for newcomers does and does not cover
A common misconception is that Medicare covers “everything”. In reality, public healthcare only covers necessary medical services, while many important items you must pay for yourself. Understanding this boundary helps you plan your finances more accurately.
According to information from Canada’s immigration authority, the table below summarizes what is usually covered and what usually is not:
| Usually covered (public healthcare) | Usually NOT covered |
|---|---|
| Visits to a family doctor or specialist | Most prescription drugs bought at a pharmacy |
| Treatment and surgery at a public hospital | Most dental services |
| Necessary medical tests | Eye exams, eyeglasses |
| Medication given by a doctor while hospitalized | Ambulance service |
As such, medication you buy at a pharmacy, dental care, eyeglasses and ambulance service usually fall outside the scope of public healthcare. As for medication, when you are being treated as an inpatient at a hospital, the doctor will provide it free of charge; but medication bought at an outside pharmacy is at your own expense. These are costs that are easily overlooked when calculating initial living expenses.
Supplementary insurance through an employer and other sources
To make up for what public healthcare does not cover, most people in Canada use additional supplementary insurance. The most common and cost-effective source is a benefits package provided by an employer.
Many companies in Canada offer a group health insurance package for employees, usually covering part of the cost of prescription drugs, dental care and eye exams. You should ask the HR department about insurance benefits as soon as you accept a job, as this is a benefit with real practical value. For skilled workers who settle with a job in hand, this is a significant advantage that reduces the healthcare burden for the whole family.
If your job does not include insurance, or you are self-employed, you can still purchase your own private health insurance. The Canadian government advises newcomers to consider private insurance for the waiting period and for services outside the scope of Medicare. The My Second World team notes that you should carefully compare the benefits and premiums among plans before deciding, rather than hastily choosing the cheapest package.
A few important notes for Vietnamese newcomers
Besides registering for a card and buying supplementary insurance, there are a few practical points you should keep in mind so you are not caught off guard in your first months in Canada.
- Emergencies are always accepted. Even without a health card yet, emergency services will still serve you, though there may be some limitations depending on your residency status.
- Keep medical documents from Vietnam. Vaccination records and old medical files help doctors in Canada understand your health history.
- Have a medical exam before departure. Immigration applications usually require a medical exam; you can read more in the article medical exam for Canadian immigration to prepare.
- Budget for healthcare costs. Medication, dental care and private insurance should be included in your financial plan from the start.
Understanding your health rights and obligations early will help you settle in with peace of mind and focus on your job and life. For an overall picture of life here, you can refer to the article life as a settler in Canada, or find out whether is settling in Canada hard for a realistic view.
Summary
Canada’s public healthcare system brings great peace of mind to settlers, but this benefit requires you to proactively register and correctly understand its scope. Register for your provincial health card as soon as you arrive, prepare temporary private insurance to cover the waiting period of up to 3 months, and know clearly which items such as medication, dental care and eyeglasses you usually must pay for yourself. Once you have a job, do not forget to make use of the supplementary insurance package from your employer.
Learning carefully about health insurance in Canada for newcomers is an essential part of the settlement journey. If you need to plan a budget for the initial period, the article cost of immigrating to Canada will provide an overall financial picture. The My Second World team is always ready to accompany you on the path to settling down in the maple leaf country.
