Healthcare in Canada is considered universal. Universal programs have their limitations and successes. No Canadian citizen or permanent resident goes without required, necessary medical care. This is part of the reason that Canada is perceived as one of the best countries to live in the world. However, there are some conditions to who has access to Canada free healthcare. Each province and territory operates their own healthcare insurance programs. Further, each program has different wait times for eligibility. This means even citizens and permanent residents can have periods without healthcare coverage. Each program offers different coverage for various services and products.

In this article, we’ll cover all the nuances of Canada free healthcare. This includes who and what is covered, and what you’ll have to pay for out of pocket or by other means. Continue reading to learn more!

Is healthcare free in Canada?

Many services and products are included with free healthcare in Canada. However, the specific inclusions depend on the province or territory you live in. Each province and territory have their own healthcare insurance programs. Moreover, each insurance plan has different coverages, conditions and specifics. Each provincial and territorial ministry of health has it’s own online portal with more information. You will want to review the information on your local health ministry’s website for details. Keep up-to-date as this information changes based on your place of residence. You can easily access this information with a quick Google search.

In general, through any provincial or territorial health insurance program, Canadian and permanent residents do not have to pay for:

• Most healthcare services
• Emergency medical services

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What is included?

The services and products included with free healthcare in Canada depends on the province or territory you live in. Each province and territory have their own healthcare insurance programs. To be certain of what is included, you will want to review each provincial and territorial ministry of health website. 

Generally speaking, these are covered: 

• Most healthcare services
• Emergency medical services
• All medically necessary hospital stays

Furthermore, using family doctors should be covered through each insurance plan. Family doctors provide treatment when you fall ill. They can also provide tips and support to help avoid getting sick in the future. Finally, they can offer annual checkups to keep a record of your health and identify potential issues early on. Family doctors can offer the following services for free:

• Blood tests
• Blood pressure checks
• Pap smears
• Prescriptions for medication (you likely have to pay for the actual medication, but you can obtain the script from a doctor for free)
• Visits for physical checkups or to consult about a specific illness

Medications given in treatment, while in hospital, are covered for free as well. If you are over 65, a child, or on social assistance; there may be extended health service coverage available to you. 

What’s not included?

Most province and territory healthcare insurance programs do not cover:

• Prescription medications from the pharmacist
• Most dental services
• Eye exams and eyewear
• Hearing aids and other auditory equipment
• Crutches, wheelchairs and other medical equipment
• Physiotherapists, chiropractors and massage therapists
• Ambulance services (the Yukon territory is an exception)
• Cosmetic surgery that is not medically necessary

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Who is healthcare free for in Canada?

Healthcare is free to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. If you have a different status in Canada, you may not be eligible for Canada free healthcare yet. Each province and territory has different coverage and guidelines. For more information on the specific coverage in your area, navigate the appropriate link below.

Information on Each Province and Territories Health Insurance Plans

• Alberta – Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
• British Columbia – Medical Services Plan (MSP)
• Manitoba – Health, Seniors and Active Living
• New Brunswick – New Brunswick Medicare
• Newfoundland and Labrador – Medical Care Plan (MCP)
• Nova Scotia – Medical Services Insurance (MSI)
• Ontario – Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP)
• Prince Edward Island – Health PEI
• Quebec – Québec Health Insurance Plan
• Saskatchewan – eHealth Saskatchewan
• Northwest Territories – Health and Social Services
• Nunavut – Nunavut Health Care Plan
• Yukon – Yukon Health Insurance Plan

Do international students get free healthcare in Canada?

International students do not get free healthcare in Canada. As a result, students must purchase private health care. This is a requirement for the duration of their college or university programs. Most provinces require international students to purchase health insurance. For this reason, many educational institutions offer private health insurance as a part of their educational offerings and costs, frequently incorporated into tuition fees. International students may opt out of this insurance if they wish. To opt out, they would be required to show proof of other private health insurance before attending school in Canada.

Some provinces may offer basic healthcare services to international students. This would only be after varying times of living in Canada. However, all these provinces and territories encourage or require international students to have private extended healthcare insurance. Typically, you must have a study permit for at least 12 months to be eligible for any coverage. 

Is healthcare free in Canada for immigrants?

Permanent residents have access to Canada’s free healthcare. There is a waiting period in each province and territory before being able to get a health card. The wait time varies based on the specific location. Those who just moved to Canada are encouraged to purchase private health insurance during this waiting period, just in case something happens.

Immigrants to Canada, regardless of country of origin, would have access to Canada’s free healthcare. This requires the immigrant to become a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. They need to pass the waiting period for a health card in the province or territory they reside in. In some provinces, this wait time can be up to 3 months. 

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Do refugees get free healthcare in Canada?

Resettled refugees and refugee claimants have access to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). The IFHP is a basic coverage healthcare program paid for by the federal government. This is to fill the gap while refugees wait for provincial or territorial coverage. In other words, refugees are not eligible for general Canada free healthcare, but they can use IFHP while they wait for eligibility.

Do tourists get free healthcare in Canada?

Tourists do not get free healthcare in Canada. If tourists need to visit a hospital while travelling in Canada, this expense will not be covered. No provincial or territorial health insurance plan in Canada covers tourists. Tourists are encouraged to get private health and/or travel insurance. This is for any potential medical costs. They must do this before coming into the country and the coverage should last the duration of their trip, at the very least.

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What happens if you don’t have health insurance in Canada?

If you do not have health insurance, you will be billed for all medical services you use. In other words, you’ll have to pay for these costs on your own. The Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa breaks down costs to uninsured residents of Canada, non-residents, and international students. This is not a breakdown for all provinces and territories. Rather, it shows the potential cost of being in Canada without health insurance.

Even if you are receiving Canada free healthcare, some costs are not covered, as we discussed above. Employers offer extended health insurance plans to reduce this burden. Services like dental, vision, physio and some mental health services are not insured by Canada’s healthcare system, but can be covered by an employer or private health insurance plan. Alternatively, you can pay out of pocket. If you do not have extended health insurance coverage, you are looking at average costs of:

• Dental check-up: $161
• Physio Appointment: $95 – $125/hour
• Massage Therapy: $110/ hour
• Psychotherapy: $125 – $175 per session
• Eye Test: $75 – $300

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Using Canada Free Healthcare

To use Canada free healthcare, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Refugees have access to a separate, interim federal healthcare program. To access either the provincial or federal programs you must be sure to enroll in the program. Depending on your province or territory you may have wait times of up to 3 months. Review your local provincial or territorial health insurance program’s website for full details on their coverage, requirements, and wait times.

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