To all newcomers, as a complement to your job or housing application in Canada, it is essential to understand how the Canadian healthcare system works to make your daily life easier. Canada offers robust and accessible medical cover, but with variations by province that can sometimes be confusing. In this article, we explain the basics of the Canadian healthcare system and give you some recommendations for getting the right cover as soon as you arrive. Find out how to make the most of the healthcare system in your new home.
How does the Canadian healthcare system work?
In Canada, the public health system is overseen at federal level by the Canada Health Act, but each province and territory manages its own health plan. Although the system is national, the differences between provinces in terms of eligibility and costs are such that moving from one province to another requires re-registration similar to that required when moving from one country to another.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents are covered by this health system. Some temporary residents may also be covered under bilateral agreements between Canada and their countries of origin. However, new arrivals are often required to wait three months before becoming eligible for health cover in certain provinces, although exceptions can be made under specific agreements.
It is important to apply for your health insurance card as soon as you arrive in Canada, as the process can take several weeks. This card is essential for access to medical care and must be presented at every visit to the doctor.
Depending on the province, there may be a waiting period of up to three months before cover becomes effective (source: https://www.international-sante.com/assurance-expatrie/pays/canada/).
The Canadian healthcare system offers free medical and hospital consultations to permanent residents, as well as cover for prescribed medicines (subject to deductible and possible co-insurance). Students and temporary workers may also benefit from some of these advantages, depending on the agreements between Canada and their country of origin.
What care is covered by Canadian Social Security?
The Canadian public health system offers basic medical cover, but certain benefits are payable by patients, often requiring additional insurance. Here is an overview of what the system does and does not cover:
What the public plan covers
Medical care considered essential: This includes general medical consultations, surgical treatment and hospital care.
Primary care services: Consultations with general practitioners, whether they are private practitioners or work in walk-in clinics.
Emergency medical services: These services are accessible even without a health card, although certain restrictions may apply, particularly for immigrants.
What the public plan does not cover
Drugs: While some prescription and over-the-counter drugs are partially subsidized by provincial plans, they are generally not covered by the universal plan.
Non-essential specialist care: This includes the services of specialists such as massage therapists, physiotherapists, psychotherapists and chiropractors.
Optical and dental care: This care is not covered, except for urgent dental procedures carried out in hospital.
Ambulance transport, long-term care and emergency care abroad.
Provincial drug insurance
Each province offers a drug insurance programme, mainly targeting seniors, social assistance recipients and people with chronic or costly illnesses. In some provinces, membership of this drug insurance plan is compulsory.
Many Canadians and residents opt for supplementary health insurance, often provided by their employer or taken out privately, to cover the cost of services not covered by the public plan.
Health insurance: necessary or not?
To cover medical expenses not covered by Canadian public health insurance, such as dental and optical care, which tend to be expensive, it is often a good idea to take out private insurance. Private care, although more responsive and available, can be very expensive.
For both Canadian citizens and foreign residents, eye and dental care is generally not reimbursed by public insurance. A simple scaling, for example, can cost up to $200. Many Canadians opt for private insurance, either through their jobs or individually. Expatriates must follow the same procedure.
In addition, if you are not a student or seconded worker, and you are arriving on a Working Holiday Programme, you will not be eligible for Canadian social protection, which can make medical costs prohibitive without insurance. Holders of a WHP visa are also obliged to take out health insurance for the duration of their stay.
As an expatriate living in Canada, you will have access to Canadian health insurance, although this is limited to primary care. While your routine medical visits, emergencies and hospitalisations are generally covered, all other care, such as optical equipment, dental care or consultations with an osteopath, will remain your responsibility. The costs associated with these health services can be significant.
Without additional health cover in Canada, your medical expenses can quickly add to your budget. Usually, expatriates in Canada use public health insurance for routine care and take out personalized health insurance to cover aspects not covered by the public system. This strategy allows you to pay only for the care you really need and save on insurance premiums.
Expatriate health insurance in Canada: how to choose?
Using an online health insurance comparator can be particularly beneficial when preparing for an expatriation, particularly to Canada. This tool allows you to compare the different insurance offers available, making it easier to select a solution that suits your needs. You can examine the details of each offer, such as cover, premiums, deductibles and exclusions, all in one place, making the decision considerably simpler.
These platforms also offer customisable features. By entering specific data such as your age, state of health and desired type of cover, you receive tailored recommendations that correspond to your personal situation.
What's more, online comparators can shed light on the particularities of the health insurance systems in your destination country. In Canada, for example, regulations can differ from one province to another. Comparators therefore provide accurate, up-to-date information on the specific requirements of the region where you are planning to settle.
Finally, using such a tool can also help you make substantial savings. By evaluating several options, you can identify the most financially advantageous plans, while ensuring that the cover meets your expectations. This is particularly valuable in an expatriate context, where healthcare costs can be significantly different from those in your home country.