Health Insurance in Canada
Canada's national health insurance program, "Medicare", ensures that all Canadians have reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services.
Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the management, organization and delivery of health services for their residents.
The provinces and territories administer and deliver most of Canada's health care services, with all provincial and territorial plans expected to meet national principles set out under the Canada Health Act. Each plan covers medically necessary hospital and doctors' services that are provided free of charge, without deductible amounts, co-payments or dollar limits.
The role of the provincial and territorial governments includes administering their health plans; planning, paying for and evaluating hospital care, physician care, allied health care, prescription drug care in hospitals and public health; and negotiating fee schedules for medical professionals.
Most provincial and territorial governments offer and fund supplementary benefits for certain groups (e.g., low-income residents and seniors) such as drugs prescribed outside hospitals, ambulance costs, and hearing, vision and dental care, that are not covered under the Canada Health Act.
Under most provincial and territorial laws, private insurers are restricted from offering coverage that duplicates that of the publicly funded plans, but they can compete in the supplementary coverage market.
Each province and territory has an arm's-length workers' compensation agency, funded by employers, which provides services to workers who are injured on the job.
Health cards (also called Care Cards), are a provincial responsibility. A resident of Canada must have a health card to show that he or she is entitled to health care services paid for by OHIP.
For information about how to obtain a health card visit the Health Insurance Organization of the province or territory you are residing in, or ask your immigration community organization for help.
To find out about applying for a Health card and for a list of all Provincial Ministry of Health sites, visit Health Canada
