How the health system works in the provinces of Canada

The healthcare system in Canada is considered one of the best; even so, those who intend to move to the country have their uncertainties and questions. As it is very different from other countries, there is a lot of new information to assimilate, so follow this article to understand a little more about the subject.

Each province or territory has its rules.
All Canadian health plans, called Health Insurance Plans, are conducted by the country's provinces. Each location has the autonomy to establish its rules, forms of membership, hospitals and planning that it deems most relevant. Something familiar to all provinces is that the government pays for not all procedures.

Canada has a public healthcare system, but most doctors do not work for the government but independently. Patients can choose which doctor they want, being entitled to essential health services that the government funds.

Doctors choose their workload and where they will work. However, they are responsible for paying their employees, offices and other expenses. Fees are paid by the provincial government where they provide their services.

The health service in Canada is seen as socialized medicine, as it works based on the work of employees who provide services for public bodies.

Family's doctor
This specialty is intended for comprehensive health care. In Canada, this is the doctor to go to when you are not feeling very well, but not on an emergency basis. When this happens, care must be given at the hospital. It is the doctor who knows your history, performs exams regularly and refers you to specialists when necessary.

Having a good family doctor means that he will refer you to the best specialists and, consequently, will have an accurate diagnosis. However, if he feels that a referral is not necessary, you may be left untreated for something wrong.

If, by any chance, you don't have a family doctor, the tip is to go to a Walk-in Clinic, a clinic that accepts patients without an appointment. If you like the doctor, you can say that you don't have a family doctor yet and ask if he is accepting new patients. It is also possible to search on websites that give notes to doctors and look for one that is in the family.

The healthcare system communicates with the pharmacy system
Buying medicines in Canada is prone to monitoring, where your history can be pulled in a consultation or when presenting a prescription. Who needs continuous use of medications, regardless of dosage, formula or purpose, will be according to the doctor's prescription, in the specified amount. In the following withdrawal, it happens in the same way.

Medications and dental appointments are generally not covered by the system.
Provinces and territories provide drug and dental coverage for some groups, such as the elderly, children and low-income residents. Typically, these items are not covered by the public health system. Supplemental health benefits include prescription drugs outside hospitals, dental care, vision care, medical equipment and appliances, and services from other healthcare professionals such as physical therapists.

The degree of coverage varies from one province to another, but those who do not qualify for these benefits must pay privately or take out private health insurance plans. Most Canadians, through their employers, can be covered by private health insurance.

Learn a little more about the health system of some provinces:

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

British Columbia - Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- WHEN DOES COVERAGE BEGIN? Usually three months after the arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Services of doctors and midwives, dental and oral surgery in a hospital, necessary eye exams, x-rays and some orthodontic services.

Manitoba - Health, Seniors and Active Living
- WHEN DOES COVERAGE BEGIN? In the third month after arrival.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Medical services, surgeries, x-ray and laboratory services when requested by a physician.

New Brunswick - New Brunswick Medicare and Drug Plans
- WHEN DOES COVERAGE BEGIN? After receiving the application completion letter
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Medical services expressly specify surgical and dental procedures and most hospital services.

Newfoundland and Labrador - Medical Care Plan (MCP)
- WHEN DOES COVERAGE BEGIN? Usually on arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Medical services, hospital visits, surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, pre-and post-operative care, comprehensive maternal care, radiology services, and dental-surgical procedures.

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

Nova Scotia - Medical Services Insurance (MSI) Program
- WHEN DOES COVERAGE BEGIN? Usually on arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Medical services, hospital services, medical, dental, prosthetics, and some optometry services.

Nunavut - Nunavut Health Care Plan
- WHEN DOES COVERAGE BEGIN? In the third month after arrival.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Includes the cost of medical and hospital services.

Ontario - Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
- WHEN DOES COVERAGE BEGIN? It may take up to 3 months after your arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Medical visits, hospital visits and stays, eligible dental surgery and optometry, podiatry, ambulance services, and travel to healthcare if you live in Northern Ontario.

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

Québec - Québec Health Insurance Plan
- WHEN DOES COVERAGE BEGIN? It may take up to 3 months after your arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Medical procedures, anesthetics, medical tests, eye drops, diagnostic mammography, urine and blood glucose tests, and vasectomy.

Saskatchewan - Saskatchewan Health Cards
- WHEN DOES COVERAGE BEGIN? Usually 6 to 8 weeks after application.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? All necessary medical services are provided by physicians, including physical therapy, screening mammography, immunization services, treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STDs), 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 COVERAGE BEGIN? Usually three months after the arrival date.
- WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Hospital and medical services, and specific dental-surgical procedures.

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