Provincial Health Cards in Every Province of Canada: A Complete Guide for Newcomers

Understanding Canada's Public Health Insurance System

Canada's healthcare system is publicly funded and administered at the provincial and territorial level. The federal Canada Health Act sets out the principles that all provinces must follow, including universality, accessibility, and portability. However, each province and territory runs its own health insurance program with its own application process, waiting periods, and specific rules about what is covered. As a newcomer, one of the first things you should do after arriving in Canada is apply for your provincial or territorial health card.

Your health card is your proof of eligibility for publicly insured medical services. Without it, you may need to pay out-of-pocket for doctor visits, hospital stays, and diagnostic tests. Understanding how to get your card quickly and what to do during any waiting period is essential to protecting your health and your finances.

Ontario: Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

Ontario's health insurance plan, known as OHIP, covers most medically necessary services for eligible residents. To apply, you must visit a ServiceOntario location in person with proof of identity, proof of immigration status (such as a Confirmation of Permanent Residence or valid work permit), and proof of Ontario residency (such as a lease agreement or utility bill). There is a three-month waiting period for most newcomers, beginning on the date you establish residency in Ontario. During this waiting period, you are strongly advised to purchase private health insurance.

OHIP covers physician services, hospital stays, diagnostic imaging, laboratory tests, and certain surgical procedures. It does not cover prescription drugs for most adults (though Ontario does have the OHIP+ program for those under 25 and over 65), dental care, vision care, physiotherapy in most settings, or ambulance fees beyond a base co-payment. If you have questions about OHIP eligibility, you can contact ServiceOntario or visit their website. For more general information about healthcare in Canada, see our Healthcare Guide for Newcomers.

British Columbia: Medical Services Plan (MSP)

British Columbia's health insurance is administered through the Medical Services Plan (MSP). All eligible residents must enrol in MSP. There is no monthly premium as of January 2020. You can apply online through Health Insurance BC or by mailing in an application form. New residents must provide proof of immigration status and proof that they are making their home in British Columbia. The waiting period is up to three months, and coverage begins on the first day of the third month after you establish residency.

MSP covers medically required services from physicians and surgeons, maternity care, diagnostic services, and some allied health services. It does not cover prescription drugs (a separate program called PharmaCare may help), dental care, chiropractic services, or most vision care. If you are settling in British Columbia, our Newcomer Guide to Living in Vancouver has additional resources for BC newcomers.

What to Do During the MSP Waiting Period

During the waiting period, you should purchase private health insurance to avoid unexpected medical bills. Some employers offer group health benefits that may begin immediately. If you are a refugee claimant, you may be covered by the federal Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) during this time.

Alberta: Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)

Alberta's health insurance is the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). To register, you must complete an application form and provide proof of identity, immigration status, and Alberta residency. You can apply online, by mail, or in person at a registry agent office. Alberta also has a three-month waiting period for new residents. Once registered and past the waiting period, you will receive an Alberta Health Care card (commonly called an Alberta Health card).

AHCIP covers physician services, hospital services, some oral surgery performed in a hospital, and some optometric services. It does not cover prescription drugs (though Alberta has supplementary programs for seniors, low-income individuals, and others), dental care, ambulance services, or cosmetic procedures. For newcomers settling in Alberta, our Guide to Living in Calgary and Guide to Living in Edmonton provide city-specific settlement information.

Quebec: Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec (RAMQ)

Quebec's public health insurance is managed by the Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec (RAMQ). To register, you must visit a RAMQ office in person with your immigration documents, proof of Quebec residency, and identification. Quebec is unique in Canada because it has a mandatory public prescription drug insurance plan: if you do not have private drug coverage through your employer, you must enrol in the RAMQ prescription drug plan.

RAMQ covers physician visits, hospital stays, some dental services for children under 10, and certain other medical services. The waiting period for most newcomers is three months. However, some categories of newcomers, including certain workers with valid permits and their families, may be exempt from the waiting period under specific conditions. Always verify your situation directly with RAMQ.

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Atlantic Provinces

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan's health insurance is administered by the Saskatchewan Health Authority. New residents must register with the Ministry of Health. The waiting period is three months. Coverage includes physician and hospital services, and the province has additional programs for prescription drugs, including the Saskatchewan Drug Plan.

Manitoba

Manitoba Health covers eligible residents through the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan. Apply through Manitoba Health by submitting a registration form with supporting documents. The waiting period is up to three months. Once registered, you receive a Manitoba Health card. Manitoba also participates in the Interim Federal Health Program for eligible refugee claimants.

New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador

Each Atlantic province has its own health insurance plan. New Brunswick Medicare, Nova Scotia MSI, PEI Health Card, and the Newfoundland and Labrador MCP all follow similar patterns: you must apply after establishing residency, provide immigration and identity documents, and wait up to three months for coverage to begin. The Atlantic provinces are popular destinations for newcomers through the Atlantic Immigration Program, and settlement agencies in these provinces can help you navigate the health card application process.

The Territories: Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut

The three territories each have their own health insurance plans. Yukon Health Care Insurance covers eligible residents of the Yukon, and notably, Yukon has no waiting period for new residents who arrive with valid immigration documents. The Northwest Territories Health Care Plan similarly provides coverage, and the NWT also does not impose a waiting period in most cases. Nunavut's Health Care Plan follows a similar structure. In all three territories, you must apply and provide proof of residency and immigration status. Because these are smaller jurisdictions, the application process is often more straightforward and can sometimes be completed at the local health centre.

Reciprocal Billing Agreements Between Provinces

Most provinces and territories have reciprocal billing agreements that allow your health card to be honoured when you travel to another province for medically necessary physician and hospital services. However, Quebec does not participate in reciprocal billing for physician services with most other provinces (it does participate for hospital services). This means that if you hold a RAMQ card and visit a doctor in Ontario, you may need to pay upfront and seek reimbursement from RAMQ afterward.

It is important to understand that reciprocal agreements cover only medically necessary services. Elective procedures, ambulance services, and prescription drugs are generally not covered across provincial lines. If you plan to travel within Canada, always carry your health card and consider purchasing travel health insurance for additional protection.

What Reciprocal Agreements Do Not Cover

Reciprocal billing agreements do not cover prescription drugs purchased outside your home province, ambulance transport in another province, medical services deemed not medically necessary, or services obtained while temporarily outside Canada. For newcomers who frequently travel between provinces for work or family reasons, this is an important consideration.

Bridging the Gap: Private Health Insurance During Waiting Periods

The three-month waiting period is one of the biggest challenges newcomers face when it comes to healthcare access. During this time, a single emergency room visit or unexpected illness can result in thousands of dollars in medical bills. Private health insurance designed for newcomers to Canada is widely available and typically costs between $1.50 and $5.00 per day depending on your age and coverage level.

Many insurance companies offer plans specifically designed for the waiting period, including Manulife, Blue Cross, and other Canadian insurers. Some employers provide group health benefits that start on your first day of work, which may cover you during the waiting period. For more information about managing your finances as a newcomer, see our Banking and Financial Guide for Newcomers.

What Provincial Health Insurance Does and Does Not Cover

Across all provinces, publicly funded health insurance generally covers medically necessary physician visits, hospital stays (including surgery, meals, and ward accommodation), diagnostic tests ordered by a physician (such as blood tests, X-rays, and MRIs), maternity and newborn care, and some mental health services provided by psychiatrists. Services that are generally not covered include prescription drugs (though most provinces have supplementary drug programs for eligible groups), dental care for adults, vision care beyond basic eye exams in some provinces, physiotherapy and chiropractic services, cosmetic procedures, and private or semi-private hospital rooms.

Supplementary Programs You Should Know About

Many provinces offer supplementary programs for low-income residents, seniors, and children. For example, Ontario's Trillium Drug Program, BC's PharmaCare Fair PharmaCare plan, and Alberta's Non-Group Coverage all help reduce the cost of prescription medications. Ask your settlement agency or check your provincial health ministry's website for programs you may qualify for.

How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Summary

Regardless of which province you settle in, the application process follows a similar pattern. First, gather your documents: you will need proof of immigration status (such as your Confirmation of Permanent Residence, work permit, or study permit), proof of identity (passport or national ID), and proof of residency in the province (lease, utility bill, or bank statement with your address). Second, complete the application form, which is available online or at the relevant provincial health office. Third, submit your application in person, online, or by mail, depending on the province. Fourth, wait for your health card to arrive, which typically takes two to four weeks after the waiting period ends.

For a broader overview of settling in Canada, our First Week in Canada Checklist can help you prioritize your tasks. You can also use the WelcomeAide AI Newcomer Navigator to get personalized guidance about health card applications in your province.

Final Thoughts

Getting your provincial health card is one of the most important steps in your settlement journey. While the process varies by province and the waiting period can be stressful, understanding your options and preparing in advance can make the transition much smoother. Remember to apply as soon as possible after arriving, purchase private insurance for the waiting period, and take advantage of supplementary programs once you are covered. Canada's public healthcare system is one of the country's greatest strengths, and as a newcomer, you are entitled to the same coverage as any other resident once you meet the eligibility requirements.

WelcomeAide is here to support you every step of the way. Use our AI Newcomer Navigator for real-time help, explore our blog for more guides, or learn about our mission to help newcomers thrive in Canada.