Provincial Health Coverage

It is important to apply for your provincial health insurance coverage as soon as possible. You will need an application for every member of your household. It is possible to get the application forms from a doctor's office, settlement agencies, hospitals or from the nearest provincial ministry. You will require to show some identification such as birth certificate, or passport or your confirmation of permanent residence.

If you will be landing in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick or Quebec, you will be subjected to a three-month waiting period before you receive your health card. It is therefore important to apply for temporary private health insurance coverage within five days of landing in Canada.
In most provinces, health insurance does not cover the cost of dental care, prescription drugs, ambulance services, naturopathic care and prescription eyeglasses.

Refugee Claimants and refugees living in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick or Quebec, can receive emergency and essential health services, the cost of which is covered by the Interim Federal Health Program.

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