Health Insurance and Healthcare in Canada Explained

Jump right in:

• The Canadian healthcare system explained
• Pros & Cons of Canadian healthcare
• What's covered under Canadian public healthcare?
• Cost of healthcare in Canada
• Do I need private health insurance in Canada
• Private health insurance providers
• How to find a doctor in Canada
• Giving birth in canada

How healthcare works in Canada

Canada has a universal healthcare system funded by taxpayers. Citizens and permanent residents receive full coverage, but some expats may need to pay out of pocket for some services until they’re eligible for public coverage.

Expats planning to make Canada their permanent home can apply for a Medicare card as soon as they register as residents. The card typically takes about 3 months to be issued, which is also when public healthcare coverage usually begins. In the meantime, it’s strongly recommended to have private health insurance. Learn more about getting private health insurance below.

The Canadian healthcare system explained

Healthcare in Canada is paid for by taxpayers, and the system works reasonably well. Canada’s healthcare system ranks high on an international scale with the main problem and complaint being wait times. On average, wait times to see a doctor or specialist are longer than in other countries. Read more about average wait times, and the pros and cons, below.

If you’re an expat that plans on applying for permanent residency, the following sub-section gives an overview of what you can expect once you become eligible for the Canadian public healthcare system.

Pros & cons of Canada’s healthcare system

While this section so far has touched on a few of Canada’s healthcare system pros and cons, here is a recap:

Pros

Universal healthcare — Free healthcare for all Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Pensioners also receive coverage.

Quality healthcare — Canada is consistently ranked among the top countries for quality care.

Educational programs — Funded by the government, these programs help the public (especially seniors) prevent injuries and stay informed about health risks.

Cons

Unequal — Minority groups such as the LGBTQ+ community and refugees, especially those in poverty, often receive subpar healthcare.

Wait times — Wait times to see doctors or specialists are longer than in most other developed countries.

Limited coverage — Mental health, dental, therapy, assistive devices, and sex reassignment surgery may not be fully covered.

Expensive — Canadians spend over 6,000 CAD annually through taxes for healthcare, making it one of the most expensive OECD systems.

Accessibility in rural areas — Central cities get more funding, while rural areas often lack adequate resources, forcing residents to travel for care.

What does public healthcare cover?

Note: In Canada, the public healthcare system is often referred to as “Medicare”, but it’s not the same as the U.S. Medicare program for seniors. In Canada, “Medicare” means the universal healthcare system run by each province or territory, covering basic medical services for all eligible residents.

Most essential medical services in Canada are covered by the public healthcare system, known as Medicare. While coverage varies slightly by province and territory, all regions provide access to emergency medical services even for those who don’t yet have a government-issued health card.

Here’s a look at what public healthcare covers in the main provinces and territories. For the other regions, we’ve included links so you can check the details.

Alberta – Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)

• medically necessary doctors’ services
• some dental and oral surgical health services
• psychiatrist visits
• medically necessary diagnostic services including laboratory and radiological procedures
• oral and maxillofacial surgery services
• bariatric surgery
• nursing services
• hospital stays and meals
• medications administered during hospital stays
• use of the operating and care room, radiotherapy, physiotherapy, and anesthetic facilities
• inter-facility transfer by ambulance
• routine surgical equipment and supplies

British Columbia – Medical Services Plan (MSP)

• midwives’ and doctors’ services
• dental and oral surgery performed in a hospital
• medically necessary eye examinations
• some orthodontic services
• diagnostic services including X-rays

Manitoba – Manitoba Health

• medically necessary doctors’ services
• surgery and anesthesia
• X-ray and laboratory services ordered by a doctor and performed in an approved facility
• routine eye exams every two years for residents under 19 or over 64
• eye exams considered medically necessary
• seven chiropractor visits per year
• specific dental procedures
• eyeglasses for seniors
• standard hospital stays and meals
• nursing services
• medication administered in hospital
• operating room, anesthetics, and surgical supplies
• occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech therapy
• dietetic counseling
• personal home care

Ontario – Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

• appointments with family doctors
• visits to walk-in clinics and other healthcare providers
• medical tests
• surgeries

Québec – Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

• surgeries
• anesthetic agents
• cortisone
• medical exams
• ophthalmic drops
• diagnostic mammography
• urine and blood glucose tests
• vasectomies

Other regions

• Yukon – Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan
• Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Health Coverage
• Prince Edward Island – PEI Health
• Nunavut – Nunavut Health Care Plan
• Nova Scotia – Medical Services Insurance (MSI)
• Northwest Territories – Northwest Territories Health Care Plan
• New Brunswick – Medicare
• Newfoundland and Labrador – Medical Care Plan (MCP)

Canadian healthcare costs

Canada spends about 372 billion CAD (approx. 275 billion USD) on healthcare (2024), or 9,054 CAD (approx. 6,690 USD) per person around 12.4% of its GDP. Costs have risen by over 70% in the last 20 years, driven by an aging population, new technologies, and higher demand for services.

While basic care is publicly funded, not everything is covered, which is why many Canadians also rely on private insurance for things like prescriptions, dental, and vision.

Canada’s healthcare is often described as “free”, but it’s publicly funded through taxes. This makes it one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world.

Private health insurance in Canada

Despite the public healthcare system, many Canadians carry private insurance to cover services like prescription drugs, dental care, and other health-related expenses not fully covered by the government. Private insurance plays an important role in Canada’s healthcare, helping with costs that the public system doesn’t always cover.

While public drug plans are relatively affordable, private insurance (usually employer-provided) can cover a larger percentage of medication and services. This includes:

• disability income and critical illness coverage
• mental health counseling
• travel and repatriation insurance
• home care and long-term care
• optical, dental, and prosthetic care
• registered massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, etc.

Canadians can also buy private insurance directly through one of 80+ providers. Plans vary by region and personal needs.

Important note: Private insurance can only be used for services not covered by the public system. Basic services already covered by Medicare can’t be duplicated privately.

How much is private health insurance?

Private health insurance costs vary depending on the provider and coverage, but here are average monthly prices in Canada to give you a general idea:

Benefits of private health insurance

• If you’re self-employed, you may be able to deduct private health insurance premiums from your business income taxes.
• Flexible plans to choose from across dozens of providers.
• Coverage adjusts by province to meet regional healthcare gaps.
• Simple and flexible payment options

How to get health insurance in Canada

Until eligible for the public healthcare, expats should secure travel insurance or an international medical plan. A hospital stay could cost 5,000 CAD (approx. 3,760 USD) per day or more, with ICU care costing double.

Once eligible for public healthcare, you can purchase supplementary insurance online or via phone with your chosen provider. If you’re getting coverage through your employer, the HR department will usually manage your enrollment and answer questions.

Best health insurers in Canada

• Manulife – Flexcare Health and Dental, FollowMe plans
• Sunlife Financial – Extended coverage for families, includes dental
• Great-West Life – Core, Core Plus, and Core Elite packages
• Ontario Blue Cross – Basic Blue Choice and Basic Plus plans
• GMS Health Insurance – Omni Plan, ExtendaPlan, Basic Plan
• ScotiaLife – Accepts individuals/families, strict on pre-existing conditions
• Desjardins Insurance – Affordable, customizable plans
• CAA – Offers healthcare via Manulife
• Green Shield Canada – Zone and Link plans for new users and retirees
• TD Insurance – Critical care and accident insurance
• Ivari – Critical illness insurance only

How to find a doctor in Canada

At some point during your expat journey, you’ll probably need to find a doctor or dentist in Canada. This section covers how to find a family doctor (GP), dentists, specialists, and what to expect.

How to find a family doctor

Family doctors, or general practitioners (GP), are your go-to for most health needs. But heads-up: some parts of Canada have doctor shortages, so finding one might take time. The earlier you start, the better.

Here are some tips to find a GP:

• Ask friends, colleagues, or other expats for recommendations.
• Try searching in July — many new doctors graduate then and start accepting patients.
• Use useful online tools such as Health Care Connect or Doctor Search (if in Ontario).
• Each province will have its own online tool to help you find recommended doctors in your area.

Once you have a family doctor, they’ll refer you to specialists if needed.

Average wait time to see a doctor in Canada

In recent years, wait times to see specialists in Canada have increased. On average, it now takes about 30 weeks from when your family doctor refers you to a specialist until you actually get treatment. That’s roughly 15 weeks waiting just to see the specialist, then another 15 weeks to start treatment. Some provinces do better than others — Ontario usually has shorter waits (about 24 weeks), while places like Prince Edward Island can have much longer waits, sometimes over a year.

Seeing a family doctor can also be a challenge. Only about 25% of Canadians can get a same-day or next-day appointment, which is less than it used to be a few years ago.

If you need a quicker visit, apps and websites can help you find walk-in clinics nearby and show wait times.

What if you can’t get a doctor’s appointment?

If you can’t see your doctor, many Canadians head to the emergency room. The downside? Waits can be around four hours, partly due to doctor shortages and people without family doctors using ERs for non-emergencies.

Giving birth in Canada

If you’re a permanent resident or citizen, your delivery is covered by Canada’s universal healthcare. It’s free unless you want a private room, which could cost a couple hundred dollars unless your insurance covers it. A typical hospital stay is 2-3 days, or 4 if you have a C-section.

Documents to bring when giving birth

Make sure to have:

• birth plan
• medical records
• healthcare and insurance cards
• passports and visas
• social insurance number (if applicable)

After the birth, you’ll need to register your baby. Each province has its own rules, so check locally or ask hospital staff for help.

Why is giving birth in Canada popular?

Just like in the US, babies born in Canada automatically get Canadian citizenship, no matter their parents’ nationality. That means free education, healthcare, and the right to live and travel in Canada easily.

This “birth tourism” is legal in Canada, though it doesn’t help parents get residency or citizenship. Usually, non-resident parents have to return home with their child.