Who is Eligible for Canadian Universal Health Care?

The principles of Canada’s health care services are only designed for Canadians and permanent residents, although these principles are much admired. Based on these principles, tourists and short-term residents must pay out of pocket for receiving Canada’s health services, and residency status is required for coverage.  

Private health insurance in Canada 

The free Canada’s health care services give you access to essential medical services, and everything is not covered. So, think about what coverage you will need if you immigrate to any Canadian province to protect yourself during your residence. Your employer may offer a health care benefits package if you’re employed. 

Many newcomers to Canada are unaware that companies offer this package to their employees. This package will cover some or all costs for dental, medications, and other services not covered by a government healthcare program. Moreover, Canadians in every province can buy additional private health insurance to cover services that are not covered by government health care programs and employers’ health care benefits programs. (You can read more about insurances in Canada in our other article!)

The Provincial and Territorial health care programs 

Each provincial health care program may provide different coverage, so get information about what is covered in the province where you live. In general, the provincial and territorial health care programs cover things such as: 

• Health check-up by your family doctor
• Visits to walk-in clinics and other health care centers
• Visits to an emergency room
• Medical tests and surgeries
• Necessary surgery
• Laboratory and other diagnostic procedures

The hospital and medical services not covered by provincial and territorial Canada’s health care services programs include:

• Most prescription drugs
• Dental services
• Eye exams and eyewear, like glasses or contacts
• Appliances such as hearing aids, crutches, wheelchairs
• Visits to physiotherapists, chiropractors, or similar health providers
• Ambulance service

Canada’s Healthcare services by provinces 

Provinces or territories health insurance card is needed for getting health care services in Canada and showing this card eat time you get Canada’s health care services is required. Keep in mind that each province and territory has its health insurance plan. So, consider learning what your plan covers. All provinces and territories offer free emergency medical services, even if you don’t have a health card. However, you will deal with some restrictions based on your immigration status. 

Hospitals in Canada

Overall, Canada had over 1,200 hospitals as of 2019 as part of Canada’s health care services. Hospital expenditure per capita appears to be highest in less populated territories. The number of hospital establishments in each province in Canada as of 2019 are as follows:

Number of Establishments

The below table shows the hospital beds’ ratio per 1000 population by the province in 2015-16. Data were calculated from Canadian Institute for Health Information Hospital Beds Staffed and in Operation 2015-16.