Canada Health Cards: Common Mistakes About Wait Times & Out-of-Province Coverage

🏥 Health Cards: Your Ticket to Provincial Coverage

In Canada, your health card is the key to accessing provincial or territorial health insurance. With it, most medically necessary services are provided at no cost.

One important detail: your card is tied to where you live. If you permanently move to a new province, you need to apply for that province’s card—your old one won’t remain valid there.

That said, during a new card waiting period or when you’re travelling/temporarily staying in another province, most provinces have reciprocal agreements that let you use your old card for essential care.

📝 Health Card Application Process (Similar Across Provinces)

While each province runs its own program, the core steps to apply for a health card are quite similar:

1. Check eligibility: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those holding a valid work or study permit for 6 months or longer.
2. Prepare documents: Government-issued ID (passport, PR card, work/study permit), proof of address (utility bill or lease), and proof of employment or enrollment if required.
3. Submit application: Go to your province’s designated service centre. Many provinces now also accept applications online or by mail.
4. Wait period: After approval, there is usually a waiting period before full coverage begins, ranging from 0 to 3 months depending on the province.
5. Receive your card: Once processed, the card is mailed to your registered address. Some provinces (e.g., Alberta, Saskatchewan) may provide a temporary paper card for immediate use.

⏳ Provincial Wait Period Comparison (Example: Arrival on January 10)

📍 Provincial Highlights for Applying

Ontario (OHIP)

• Where to apply: ServiceOntario
• Wait period: Cancelled – coverage starts right after approval
• Card delivery: By mail

British Columbia (MSP)

• Where to apply: Health Insurance BC – online or by mail (online recommended)
• Wait period: Remainder of arrival month + 2 full months → coverage on the 1st of the 3rd month
• Card delivery: By mail

Alberta (AHCIP)

• Where to apply: Registry Agent Office
• Wait period:
  • From abroad: no wait, coverage starts same day
  • From another province: remainder of arrival month + 2 months → 1st of 3rd month
• Card delivery: Temporary paper proof may be issued on-site, official card mailed later

Québec (RAMQ)

• Where to apply: RAMQ office, by mail or in person
• Wait period: Fixed 3 months
• Reciprocal coverage:
  • RAMQ cards usually not directly accepted outside Québec → you may need to pay upfront and request reimbursement
  • Cards from other provinces are usually accepted in Québec hospitals, which bill the original province
• Card delivery: By mail

Manitoba (MHSIP)

• Where to apply: Manitoba Health
• Wait period: Remainder of arrival month + 2 months → 1st of 3rd month
• Card delivery: By mail

Saskatchewan (Health Card)

• Where to apply: eHealth Saskatchewan
• Wait period: Remainder of arrival month + 2 months → 1st of 3rd month
• Card delivery: Temporary paper confirmation may be given, official card mailed later

Nova Scotia (MSI)

• Where to apply: MSI Registration Office
• Wait period: Fixed 3 months
• Card delivery: By mail

New Brunswick (Medicare)

• Where to apply: Medicare Office
• Wait period: Fixed 3 months
• Card delivery: By mail

Newfoundland & Labrador (MCP)

• Where to apply: Medical Care Plan Office
• Wait period:
  • From abroad: starts on the 1st of the next month
  • From another province: 1st of the 3rd month
• Card delivery: By mail

Prince Edward Island (Health PEI)

• Where to apply: Health PEI
• Wait period: Fixed 3 months
• Card delivery: By mail

🚑 Care During the Wait Period & Short-Term Travel

1. During the application wait period

• Moving between provinces: In most provinces, you can continue to use your old health card during the wait. Hospitals in your new province will bill your former province directly.
  • Coverage: limited to urgent or medically necessary services (e.g., ER visits, hospital stays, physician care). Routine check-ups or scheduled elective surgeries are usually not included.
• Québec exception: RAMQ cards are often not accepted directly outside Québec. You may have to pay upfront and later claim reimbursement. Cards from other provinces are generally accepted in Québec, but always keep receipts and paperwork.
• Newcomers from abroad: If this is your first landing in Canada, you will not have a previous provincial card to fall back on. It is strongly recommended to purchase private health insurance to cover this gap period.

2. Travel / Short-Term Stays

• If you are travelling or staying temporarily in another province (without changing your official residence or applying for a new card), your original provincial health card will usually cover treatment for sudden illness or injury.
• Important reminder: Reciprocal agreements only cover urgent or medically necessary care.
  • Planned check-ups, tests, surgeries, or prescriptions → are not covered and must be paid out-of-pocket.
• Coverage typically applies for short stays of up to about 3 months.

❓ FAQs

• My health card hasn’t arrived yet—does my coverage still apply when I see a doctor?
  Yes. Coverage begins from the official start date. The physical card is just proof; you can provide your health card number to the clinic.

• After moving to another province, can I still use my old card?
  Yes, but only as temporary coverage during the waiting period. Apply for your new province’s card as soon as possible—your old card cannot replace it long-term.

• Can I use my card while travelling in another province?
  Yes, but only for medically necessary care. Planned check-ups, surgeries, or prescriptions are not covered.

• Can work permit or study permit holders apply?
  Yes, if your permit is valid for 6 months or longer, most provinces allow you to apply.

• Do I really need private insurance during the waiting period?
  Highly recommended. Without it, unexpected medical costs can be extremely high.

• If I’m unhappy with healthcare in my province, can I go to Ontario for treatment and get reimbursed?
  If it’s a planned surgery or treatment, generally no. You would need to pay out-of-pocket unless you applied in advance and were approved.

🏁 Conclusion

Canada’s health card system is run at the provincial level: while the application process is fairly similar everywhere, the wait periods vary by province.

Reciprocal agreements allow most people to use their old card during a wait period or while travelling—except in Québec, where the RAMQ card isn’t directly accepted outside the province and reimbursement is required.

👉 Remember these three points:

1. Moving means reapplying: When you relocate permanently, getting a new provincial health card should be one of your first steps.
2. Know what “medically necessary” really means: Reciprocal coverage is meant for urgent or unexpected care—planned check-ups or surgeries are your responsibility.
3. Fill the gap with private insurance: During a wait period or travel, private coverage is the best way to avoid financial surprises.

If you found this guide helpful, bookmark it! It can be your quick reference whenever you plan a move or a trip, making sure your health coverage stays seamless.