How to Get a Manitoba Health Card: A Complete Guide for Newcomers

What Is the Manitoba Health Card?

The Manitoba Health card is your proof of enrolment in the province's publicly funded health insurance plan. Once registered and approved, the card entitles you to receive medically necessary physician services, hospital care, and certain diagnostic services at no direct cost. The Manitoba Health card is sometimes referred to as a Manitoba Health registration card or simply your health card. It is issued by Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, and every eligible resident of Manitoba must have one to access insured health services in the province.

For newcomers arriving in Manitoba, obtaining your health card is one of the most important steps in the settlement process. Without it, you will be responsible for paying the full cost of medical services out of pocket, which can be extremely expensive. Understanding the registration process, the waiting period, and what is and is not covered will help you plan accordingly and avoid unexpected costs during your first months in Canada.

Eligibility for Manitoba Health Coverage

To be eligible for Manitoba Health coverage, you must be a resident of Manitoba and meet one of the following criteria: you are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident (landed immigrant), a person registered under the Indian Act, a convention refugee, or a person with a valid work permit of at least one year. Temporary visitors, tourists, and individuals with study permits of less than one year may not be eligible for provincial health coverage and should explore private insurance options.

If you are a permanent resident, your eligibility begins on the date you establish residency in Manitoba. However, coverage does not start immediately. There is a mandatory waiting period that you must understand and prepare for. Residency in Manitoba means you are physically present in the province, you have made Manitoba your primary home, and you intend to remain in Manitoba for at least six months of the year.

The 3-Month Waiting Period

Manitoba imposes a waiting period of up to three months before your health coverage begins. This means that if you arrive in Manitoba on January 15, your coverage would not begin until April 1 (coverage starts on the first day of the third month after you establish residency). During this waiting period, you are responsible for all medical costs. This includes doctor visits, emergency room visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and any other health services you may need.

The waiting period applies to most newcomers, including permanent residents and those with qualifying work permits. It is critically important that you purchase private health insurance to cover yourself and your family during this gap. Many insurance providers in Canada offer interim health coverage plans designed specifically for newcomers. These plans typically cover emergency medical care, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and sometimes dental and vision care. For more guidance on healthcare planning during your first months, see our first week in Canada checklist.

How to Apply for Your Manitoba Health Card

To apply for your Manitoba Health card, you must complete a Manitoba Health Registration Application form. This form is available online through the Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care website or in person at a Manitoba Health office. You can submit your application by mail, in person, or by fax. The main Manitoba Health office is located in Winnipeg, but regional offices are available in other parts of the province.

Documents Required

When applying, you will need to provide the following documentation: a completed registration application form; proof of identity (such as a passport, permanent resident card, or Canadian citizenship certificate); proof of immigration status (such as your Confirmation of Permanent Residence, work permit, or Record of Landing); and proof of Manitoba residency (such as a lease agreement, utility bill, or bank statement showing a Manitoba address). If you are registering family members, you will need to provide documentation for each person being registered.

It is a good practice to make copies of all documents before submitting them. Processing times can vary, but you should receive your Manitoba Health card by mail within several weeks of your application being approved. If you have not received your card within eight weeks, contact Manitoba Health directly to inquire about the status of your application. In the meantime, you may receive a temporary confirmation of coverage that you can present to healthcare providers.

Registering Your Family

If you are settling in Manitoba with your spouse and children, each family member must be registered for Manitoba Health coverage. Dependants under the age of 18 can be included on a parent's registration. Spouses must complete their own registration. All family members are subject to the same waiting period. If your family members arrive at different times, their waiting periods will begin on their respective dates of arrival in Manitoba.

What Is Covered Under Manitoba Health

Manitoba Health covers a broad range of medically necessary services. These include visits to physicians (including family doctors and specialists), hospital services (including emergency care, surgery, and inpatient care), diagnostic services (such as blood tests and X-rays ordered by a physician), and certain preventive health services. Maternity care, including prenatal visits, delivery, and postnatal care, is fully covered. Mental health services provided by psychiatrists are also covered under the plan.

However, there are many health services that are not covered by Manitoba Health. These include prescription medications (outside of a hospital setting), dental care, vision care (including eye exams for adults), physiotherapy, chiropractic services, ambulance fees, and private or semi-private hospital rooms. For these services, you may need to pay out of pocket or obtain supplementary private health insurance, often available through your employer. Understanding what is and is not covered is essential for managing your healthcare expenses effectively. For a comparison of health coverage across provinces, see our BC healthcare guide for reference.

Manitoba Pharmacare Program

Manitoba Pharmacare is a provincial drug benefits program that helps eligible residents with the cost of prescription medications. Unlike some other provincial drug programs, Manitoba Pharmacare is income-based, meaning the amount you pay is determined by your total family income as reported on your most recent income tax return. Once you and your family have spent a certain percentage of your income on eligible prescription drugs (the deductible), Pharmacare covers the remaining costs for the rest of the benefit year.

To enrol in Pharmacare, you must apply through Manitoba Pharmacare. Registration is not automatic; you must submit an application. The benefit year runs from April 1 to March 31. If you are a newcomer and have not yet filed a Canadian income tax return, you may need to provide alternative documentation to establish your income level. Pharmacare is a valuable program for families with ongoing prescription medication needs, particularly if you do not have private drug coverage through an employer.

Prescription Drug Costs

Until you reach your Pharmacare deductible, you will need to pay for prescription medications at the pharmacy. Costs vary depending on the medication. If you take regular medications, ask your pharmacist about generic alternatives, which are often significantly cheaper than brand-name drugs. Some pharmacies also offer discount programs or price matching. Keep all your pharmacy receipts, as these are needed to track your spending toward the Pharmacare deductible.

Finding a Doctor in Manitoba

Finding a family doctor in Manitoba can be challenging, as there is a shortage of family physicians in many parts of the province. The Manitoba government operates a program called Family Doctor Finder, which helps residents who do not have a family doctor connect with one. You can register for this service online through the Family Doctor Finder website. In the meantime, you can access medical care through walk-in clinics, which are available throughout Winnipeg and other Manitoba communities without requiring an appointment.

For urgent but non-life-threatening medical issues, Manitoba also operates several urgent care centres and minor injury clinics. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. The Health Links-Info Sante telephone line (204-788-8200 or toll-free 1-888-315-9257) provides 24/7 health advice from registered nurses and can help you determine where to seek care based on your symptoms.

Renewing and Updating Your Manitoba Health Card

Your Manitoba Health card does not have an expiry date on it, but you must keep your registration information current. If you move to a new address within Manitoba, you must notify Manitoba Health within 30 days. If your name changes (for example, due to marriage), you must update your registration. If you leave Manitoba for an extended period (more than three months in a 12-month period), your coverage may be affected, and you should notify Manitoba Health before departing.

If your health card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement by contacting Manitoba Health. There is generally no fee for a replacement card. It is important to carry your health card with you at all times, as you will need to present it when accessing medical services. For newcomers who are still awaiting their permanent card, a temporary registration number can typically be used at medical appointments.

Out-of-Province Coverage

Manitoba Health provides limited coverage for medical services received outside the province. If you travel within Canada, your Manitoba Health card will cover most medically necessary physician and hospital services in other provinces, though some services may be billed at different rates. If you travel outside Canada, Manitoba Health provides very limited coverage, and you are strongly advised to purchase travel health insurance. Emergency medical care in countries such as the United States can be extraordinarily expensive, and provincial health insurance will cover only a small fraction of the actual cost.

Interprovincial Moves

If you move from Manitoba to another province, you must register for health coverage in your new province of residence. Most provinces have waiting periods similar to Manitoba's. Your Manitoba Health coverage will continue for a limited time after you leave the province, but you should begin the registration process in your new province immediately upon arrival. For information about health coverage in other provinces, explore our guides on Saskatchewan health coverage and Ontario health coverage.

Additional Health Resources for Newcomers

Beyond Manitoba Health and Pharmacare, there are additional health resources available to newcomers. Community health centres provide primary care, health promotion, and disease prevention services, often in multiple languages. Settlement organizations such as the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) can connect newcomers with healthcare navigation services. Mental health support is available through the Manitoba government's mental health programs and community organizations.

WelcomeAide is here to help you navigate Manitoba's healthcare system. Use our AI Newcomer Navigator for personalized answers to your health coverage questions, explore our blog for more newcomer guides, learn about our mission, or find out how to get involved in supporting newcomer health and well-being across Canada.