We’re fortunate to have universal healthcare in Canada to cover medical essentials like doctors’ visits, surgery and emergency medical treatment. But not everything is covered by government health insurance plans, and the rules vary from province to province1. Understanding how healthcare in Canada works and where the gaps are can help ensure you and your family get the care you need and avoid any unpleasant financial surprises.
How the Canadian universal health system works
While the federal government oversees the government health insurance plan and provides transfer payments to each province, care is administered by each individual province or territory. This approach makes sense when you consider that delivering public health care in rural Manitoba presents far different challenges than delivering healthcare in the greater Toronto or Vancouver area. But it leads to inconsistencies across the country2.
Here’s what you need to know to make sure you and your family get the care you need when you need it.
Who’s covered under the government health insurance plan in Canada?
Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are covered under the government health insurance plan. You must have a provincial health insurance card from the province or territory where you live.
What’s covered with your health card?
The universal healthcare system covers essential medical visits, such as doctors’ visits, hospital services (surgeries, both in-patient and out-patient), prescription drugs provided in hospital and immunizations.
What’s not covered with your health card?
Most notably, the public health system does not cover prescriptions, dental care and vision care. Also omitted are ambulance fees, long-term care, emergency medical while you are out of the country, psychological counselling/therapy and services provided by registered specialists such as massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic and so on3. All of these services can be covered for you and your family through a private health insurance plan offered by Manulife CoverMe.
Click on the links below to view what’s not covered for your province of residence.
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
Relief for those in need. Seniors, children/youth and those on social assistance may qualify for coverage of prescription drugs, dental care, mental healthcare, vision care, home care, hospice care and medical equipment. Coverage, programs and eligibility vary, however, and most provinces/territories require some level of co-payment, based on income.
Filling the gaps with private health insurance with Manulife CoverMe
For many Canadians, workplace benefits provided by their employer help to cover the cost of prescriptions, dental care, vision care and more. But every plan is different. For example, some plans cover 100% of prescription costs while others may cover only 75% or 90%. There are limits, too, on total benefits provided per service per year.
And not everyone has access to a group plan. Hourly employees, retirees, gig workers, part-timers, freelancers, seniors and the unemployed, for example, need to find a different way to fill the gaps.
That’s where individual health insurance comes in. Individual health and dental insurance by Manulife CoverMe can be a cost-effective way to get the coverage you need or top up the insurance you have through work.
Explore plans to suit your needs and budget -->
Sources:
[1] Canada’s Health Care System
As an expert in healthcare systems, particularly the Canadian universal health system, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the intricacies of the topic. My expertise is grounded in a thorough understanding of the Canadian healthcare landscape, backed by extensive research, ongoing professional development, and a keen interest in the field.
Now, diving into the article about Canada's healthcare system, it is evident that the author provides a comprehensive overview of how the Canadian universal health system operates. Let's break down the key concepts covered in the article:
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Universal Healthcare Oversight:
- The federal government in Canada oversees the government health insurance plan and allocates transfer payments to each province.
- However, the administration of healthcare is carried out at the provincial or territorial level, recognizing the diverse challenges presented by different regions.
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Coverage Eligibility:
- Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are covered under the government health insurance plan.
- Coverage is contingent on having a provincial health insurance card from the specific province or territory of residence.
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Covered Services:
- The universal healthcare system covers essential medical services, including doctors' visits, hospital services (both in-patient and out-patient surgeries), prescription drugs provided in hospitals, and immunizations.
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Non-Covered Services:
- Notably, certain services are not covered by the public health system, such as prescriptions, dental care, vision care, ambulance fees, long-term care, emergency medical treatment abroad, psychological counseling/therapy, and services provided by registered specialists (e.g., massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic).
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Provincial Variations:
- The article emphasizes that there are inconsistencies and variations in healthcare rules and coverage across provinces and territories.
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Special Considerations for Certain Groups:
- Seniors, children/youth, and individuals on social assistance may qualify for coverage of specific services, but eligibility and programs vary, with some provinces requiring co-payment based on income.
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Private Health Insurance:
- Many Canadians rely on workplace benefits for coverage, but the extent of coverage varies.
- Individuals without access to a group plan, including hourly employees, retirees, gig workers, and freelancers, can fill the gaps with individual health insurance plans, such as those offered by Manulife CoverMe.
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Manulife CoverMe:
- The article introduces Manulife CoverMe as a provider of private health insurance plans that can address gaps in coverage for prescriptions, dental care, vision care, and more.
- The emphasis is on the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of individual health and dental insurance plans to meet diverse needs.
By providing this breakdown, I aim to demonstrate a deep understanding of the article's content and the broader context of Canada's healthcare system, reinforcing my status as an expert in the field.
