Public Health Insurance

Each province and territory in Canada provides public health insurance to its citizens and permanent residents. Below are links to public health insurance coverage details for each province and territory, including information on how to obtain or replace your health card.

The Basics:

• You must register and obtain a health card to get medical care through a provincial or territorial health care plan.
• Present your health card each time you visit your doctor or any other medical centre.
• Most medical services are free of charge, but some are not. Consult the Web site of your provincial health insurance provider or ask your doctor if you are unsure whether a service is covered.
• If you move, you will need to get a health card from your new province or territory.

Helpful Web Sites:

• Alberta – Health Care Insurance Plan
• British Columbia – Health Insurance - BC Residents
• Manitoba – Questions and Answers about Health Care Coverage
• New Brunswick – Medicare
• Newfoundland and Labrador – Medical Care Plan (MCP)
• Northwest Territories – NWT Health Care Plan
• Nova Scotia – Nova Scotia Health Card (MSI)
• Nunavut – Health and Social Services
• Ontario – Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
• Prince Edward Island – PEI Health Card
• Quebec – Health Insurance Coverage for Your Health
• Saskatchewan – Health Benefits
• Yukon – Yukon Health Card