Health Insurance
Health insurance in Canada help you protect you and your family by reducing your out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Furthermore proper health insurance helps you with peace of mind knowing you will be able to afford the care whenever you are in need.
Government health insurance plans give you access to basic medical services. You may also need private insurance to pay for things that government plans don’t fully cover.
The most common types of plans are extended health plans. These cover costs for:
- Prescription medications
- Dental care
- Physiotherapy
- ambulance services
- Prescription eyeglasses
If you work, you may get extra coverage from the company or organization you work for.
It becomes more important to have one when you are self-employed or having your own business.
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may apply for public health insurance. With it, you don’t have to pay for most health-care services.
The universal health-care system is paid for through taxes. When you use public health-care services, you must show your health insurance card to the hospital or medical clinic.
Each province and territory has their own health insurance plan. Make sure you know what your plan covers.
All provinces and territories will provide free emergency medical services, even if you don’t have a government health card. There may be restrictions depending on your immigration status.
If you have an emergency, go to the nearest hospital. A walk-in clinic might charge fees if you don’t live in that province or territory.
