Canadian healthcare system

There’s a lot to think about when you’re moving to Canada. You have to find a job, a place to live, and figure out where your kids will go to school.

You’ll also need a basic understanding of the Canadian healthcare system so that you and your family are properly covered when you arrive.

We have answers to many of the big questions newcomers often have about the Canadian healthcare system. Read on to find out how you can access healthcare as a newcomer, how much it costs, and what services the public system covers.

How does Canada’s healthcare system work?

Universal healthcare is one of the many benefits people associate with moving to Canada. But you may be asking yourself, what is universal healthcare?

Basically, anyone who’s a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can apply for public health insurance. Taxpayer dollars fund the Canadian healthcare system, which covers approved medically necessary hospital and doctor services.

Each of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories are in charge of defining what they consider to be a “medically necessary service,” and providing healthcare to their residents.

In other words, how you access healthcare and the specific services you’re entitled to will depend on where you live.

The federal government also plays a part. It helps fund provincial and territorial health care services and sets national health standards for the system through the Canada Health Act.

How to access healthcare in Canada as a newcomer

To access public health insurance in Canada, all you have to do is submit an application to your provincial or territorial government. Any Canadian citizen or permanent resident is able to apply.

Once you’re approved, you’ll receive your healthcare card in the mail. Any time you go to the doctor, visit the emergency room or have surgery, you’ll be asked to show your healthcare card.

How long does it take to get healthcare coverage in Canada?

Each province and territory decides its own minimum waiting period. This is the amount of time you have to wait before healthcare coverage is available to you.

In some provinces, you can get coverage as soon as you arrive in Canada. In others, you may have to wait up to three months. To be on the safe side, the Government of Canada recommends buying private health insurance so you’re properly covered during any waiting period.

What is not covered by Canadian healthcare?

Health services that the publicly funded healthcare system generally don’t cover include:

Hearing and vision care

Dental care

Prescription drugs

Ambulance services

Independent living (home care)

There are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, in Ontario, those 24 years and under who have OHIP coverage and aren’t covered by a private plan can get OHIP+. This program provides free access to more than 5,000 prescription drugs, including medicines like antibiotics and inhalers for asthma.

Many Canadians have private health insurance coverage through their employer or a private insurance company to help pay for services public healthcare doesn’t cover. Scotia Insurance® offers health and dental coverage to Scotia Group Customers or their spouse to help pay for things that aren’t covered by employers or provincial healthcare plans. Remember, without added insurance, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket.

Pros and cons of the Canadian healthcare system

Having access to a basic level of healthcare coverage is one of the amazing benefits of living in Canada. But this doesn’t mean the healthcare system is perfect. Like most things in life, there are pros and cons to the Canadian healthcare system.

Pros:

Universal access. Any Canadian or permanent resident can use the public health care system for medically necessary health care services.

Special services for special needs. Many provinces and territories offer special services for people with special needs, including children, seniors and those on social assistance.

Education programs. The Canadian government funds educational programs to raise awareness among Canadians to prevent injuries and health issues.

Cons:

Wait times. Since access to Canadian health care services is based on need instead of being able to pay, there are often long wait times for non-emergency surgeries.

Availability of care in rural areas. Canadian healthcare funding is based on population. As a result, towns with fewer people receive less funding so the range and growth of services offered may limited. Often, people who live in small towns have to travel to bigger cities for more complicated health issues.

Lack of dental and prescription drug coverage. While there are special programs to help certain groups get funding for dental and prescription drug coverage, these services aren’t available to everyone free of charge.

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