Get to know the health care coverage in Canada

Canada’s health care system has different application requirements and coverages for each of its province.
Understand the coverage for permanent residents in today’s post.
Most provinces offer coverage for some temporary residents, make sure to check how it works (application processing time, cost and coverage):

Alberta - Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? Usually, on the arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Full coverage for medical physician services, some dental services, hospital visits and stays. Partial coverage for podiatry and optometry services.

British Columbia - Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? Usually, 3. Months after the arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Services by physicians and midwives, dental and oral surgery performed in a hospital, necessary eye exams, x-rays, and some orthodontic services. 

Manitoba Manitoba - Health, Seniors and Active Living
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? On the third month after arrival.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Physicians’ services, surgeries, and x-ray and laboratory services when ordered by a physician.

New Brunswick - New Brunswick Medicare and Drug Plans
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? After receiving the letter from the application completion
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?  Physician’s services, certain specified surgical dental procedures, and most hospital services. 

Newfoundland and Labrador - Medical Care Plan (MCP)
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? Usually, on the arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Physician’s services, hospital visits, surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, pre- and post-operative care, complete maternity care, radiology interpretive services, and certain surgical-dental procedures.

Northwest Territories - NWT Health Care Plan
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? After receiving the letter from the application completion
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Basic hospital and medical treatment. 

Nova Scotia - Medical Services Insurance (MSI) Program 
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? Usually, on the arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Physician’s services, hospital services, medical, dental, prostheses, and some optometry services. 

Nunavut -  Nunavut Health Care Plan
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? On the third month after arrival.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Includes the cost of physician and hospital services. 

Ontario - Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) 
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? It may take up to 3 months after the arrival date
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Doctor visits, hospital visits and stays, eligible dental surgery and optometry, podiatry, ambulance services, and travel for health services if you live in northern Ontario. 

Prince Edward Island - PEI Health Card
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? Usually, on the arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Childhood immunizations, primary care such as diagnosis, treatment, education, disease prevention, and screening, and in-patient or out-patient hospital services.

Québec - Québec Health Insurance Plan 
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? It may take up to 3 months after the arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Medical procedures, anesthetics, medical examinations, eye drops, diagnostic mammogram, urine and glycemia tests, and vasectomy. 

Saskatchewan - Saskatchewan Health Cards
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? Usually 6 to 8 weeks after the application.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? All medically necessary services provided by physicians, physiotherapy, screening mammography, immunization services, sexually transmitted infections (STI) treatment, HIV testing, services for treating alcohol and drug abuse problems, mental health services, and other supplementary health services.

Yukon - Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (YHCIP)
- WHEN DOES THE COVERAGE START? Usually, 3. Months after the arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Hospital and medical services, and certain dental-surgical procedures. 

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