Health Insurance Card Canada: 2024 Guide

Health care in Canada is publicly funded and provided by Health Canada to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The key to accessing the free healthcare services provided throughout the country requires a Canadian health insurance card.

Whether you’re in need of doctor visits, emergency services, or surgery, the health insurance card will ensure that you receive medical assistance when you need it. But navigating how it works can be a hassle. We've got you covered.

This article covers everything you need to know about the health insurance card in Canada, from what it is, how you use it, and how the health insurance cards differ across provinces.

What is a Health Insurance Card?

The health insurance card, also known as a health card or care card, is a personal card issued to each eligible Canadian citizen and resident that grants them access to Canada’s universal healthcare under the Canada Health Act.

Since the cards are provided by each provincial and territorial ministry of health, each individual must apply for the health insurance card from their province of residency. If you do not have an up-to-date care card, you may not be eligible for medical coverage.

You should keep your card with yourself at all times. This is because the health insurance card must be presented to medical service providers to get access to Canada’s free medical services and treatment.

However, it is important to know that public healthcare in Canada has limitations thereby making extended private health plans essential. Private health insurance covers services not included in the provincial healthcare, such as dental, vision, and prescription medications, and more.

Private health and dental insurance plans offer quicker access to specialists and elective procedures, reducing wait times. Additionally, private insurance provides coverage for services while traveling outside Canada, ensuring comprehensive healthcare wherever you go.

You can find a private health insurance plan using our comparator below. So, compare multiple plans and get free quotes right here in seconds.

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What does your health insurance card have?

Your health insurance card is more than just a piece of plastic. It is proof that you're covered under the health insurance scheme and eligible to receive Canada’s free health care services. It therefore contains vital personal information that allows medical facilities to identify and determine your coverage. These details include:

• Your photo
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Signature
• A unique permanent health identification number
• Expiry date

It is worth noting that the information on your health insurance card is confidential and should therefore be treated in the same manner. It is also your responsibility to make sure that the information remains correct because inaccurate information on your card can lead to the suspension of any health care services.

What coverage do you get with your health insurance card?

The health insurance card provides Canadian citizens and permanent residents access to Canada’s universal healthcare which includes medical services such as doctor visits, ambulance services, and necessary surgical services.

You must, however, note that Canada’s universal healthcare does have limits and that maybe not all medical services will be free of charge. While the complete scope of coverage differs between provinces, see the general coverage and exclusions below.

Covered by Canada's Health Insurance Card	Not Covered by the Health Insurance Card
Outpatient doctor visits	Prescription drugs taken outside a hospital setting
Surgery performed in hospitals	Eyeglasses, contact lenses
Laboratory and diagnostic services	Immunizations
Wardroom accommodation and meals	Cosmetic procedures
Prescription drugs	Dermatology services
Midwifery services	Alternative medicines such as Chinese medicine and homeopathy
Nursing care	Private and semi-private rooms

What may be covered by the health insurance card in Canada?

Since the health insurance cards in Canada are administered provincially, the full list of covered medical services will differ between the territories. The following is a list of medical services that may be covered depending on where you are registered.

• Vision
• Certain dental surgery procedures
• Ambulance services
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic treatment
• Physical and massage therapy
• Naturopathy
• Podiatry (non-surgical) (Podiatric Surgery is not covered)
• Addiction services
• Out-of-province cover

Since there are several gaps in Canada’s universal healthcare, it is worth considering private health insurance to cover excluded medical services. You can use our health insurance comparator to get free quotes and compare insurance plans from numerous insurance providers in an instant.

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How do you use your health insurance card?

Using your health insurance card is easy once you know which medical services are covered and which aren’t. All you have to do is present your health card to your medical services provider when you go to an appointment and they will then ensure that you are correctly registered with your provincial health insurance plan.

You are also free to provide your health card to any organization outside of the medical system if needed for identification purposes. However, organizations that don’t provide provincially funded healthcare aren’t permitted to collect or use your unique health number for identification purposes.

It is also your responsibility to use your health insurance card sensibly. If it is used illegally you may be liable to any fines and/or the cost of claims that have been accrued as a result of the card’s illegal use. Illegal use of a health insurance card includes:

• Lending the card to another person for use
• Giving your health card away
• Selling your care card
• Using someone else’s health insurance card

How to apply for a health insurance card in Canada?

The application procedure is a fairly straightforward process. It includes submitting an application form along with supporting documents in the form of proof of citizenship or permanent residency, proof of address, and proof of identity.

It should be noted, however, that the application process does change slightly depending on the Canadian province in which you live. For example, in some provinces, you may be able to apply for your health card online, while in others you have to apply in person.

Regardless of the provincial differences in the application process, it is important to know that your application for the health insurance card as well as the card itself, are always free.

What are the Health insurance cards in different provinces?

Health insurance cards are set out to be a provincial responsibility according to the Health Care Act. This means that each province and territory can set up its own provisions when it comes to determining its own minimum residency requirements, additional benefits, and health insurance card administration processes.

So how do the cards differ in different provinces?

Ontario Health Insurance Card

In Ontario, the health insurance card is known as the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card. OHIP covers all of the medically necessary services as required by the Canada Health Act along with a few additional benefits which include:

• Emergency ambulance services
• Non-surgical podiatry services with limits per visit
• Major eye exams for children and youth up to age 19, as well as ages 65 and up without the need of having an eligible medical condition
• Abortion services

When applying for your Ontario health insurance card for the first time you will have to visit a ServiceOntario center in person and submit your original supporting documents which will differ depending on your residency status.

For the full ins and outs of the Ontario health insurance card and OHIP, read our full guide OHIP Card: Everything You Need to Know in 2023.

Alberta Health Insurance Card

The Alberta health insurance card is known as the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card and it allows Alberta residents to receive free health care services. All medically necessary physician, nursing, dental, and oral services are covered under AHCIP in addition to the additional benefits below.

• Psychiatrist visits
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery services
• Bariatric surgery for eligible individuals under the Weight Wise program
• Breast augmentation and mastectomy for transgender surgery

All Alberta residents, both new and returning, are required to register for AHCIP and apply for the Alberta health insurance card. In order to do so you have to complete and submit the application form and accompanying documentation. These include:

• Proof of Alberta residency in the form of
  • An Alberta driver's license
  • Utility bill, mortgage, or rental agreement
  • Home Insurance
  • Vehicle registration
• Identity documents can be
  • Passport
  • Permanent resident card
  • Government-issued driver license
  • A registered ID card issued by the government
  • Canadian citizenship card
• Applicable Legal entitlement to be in Canada documents
  • Canadian passport
  • Permanent residency card
  • Canadian birth certificate
  • Canadian citizenship card or permanent residency card

More information on the Alberta health insurance card can be found in our comprehensive article: Alberta health care: All You Need To Know in 2023.

While Alberta Health Care, OHIP, and MSP provide vital medical services encompassing doctor visits, hospital care, diagnostic tests, and more, all without upfront payment, the coverage has limitations. Certain treatments, prescription drugs, non-urgent procedures, and preventive dental care that can be expensive, may not be included. That's why having a private health insurance plan becomes essential.

If you want to explore private health insurance options in Canada, you can do it using our comparator below. So, compare multiple plans and get free health insurance quotes based on your unique needs right here.

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Manitoba Health Insurance Card

The Manitoba health insurance card is issued by Manitoba Health to all eligible individuals as determined by the Health Services Insurance Act. It is provided under the Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Active Living Services Insurance Plan (MHSIP) and provides coverage for all basic and medically necessary healthcare services.

In order to qualify for the Manitoba health insurance card you must be a legal resident in Canada and live in the province for at least 6 months (183 days) of every calendar year. You can register for your health card in person, by mail, or online.

Like many provinces, MHSIP provides additional benefits above and beyond the core requirements of Canada’s free medical healthcare. These include:

• Hearing aids for children under the age of 18
• Chiropractor visits (up to 7 per calendar year)
• Prosthetic and orthotic services

If you find that the Manitoba health insurance card doesn’t cover all your medical needs then personal health insurance can offer supplemental coverage.

Looking for the Best Manitoba Health Insurance Plan in 2023? Don’t hesitate to use our comparator tool to compare plans and get free quotes.

Quebec Health Insurance Card

You can apply for the Quebec health insurance card as soon as you settle in Quebec, arrive as a student, or full-time employee, or extend a short-term stay. Registration is simple and can be done online directly with the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec, also known as RAMQ, which is the provincial insurance board responsible for the administration of Canada’s free health care.

Just like in the rest of Canada, you will have to present your Quebec health insurance card to registered medical providers in order to receive free health care and it is illegal to loan, give or sell your card to another individual, or to use another’s health card as your own.

British Columbia Health Insurance Card

The British Columbia health insurance card is known as the BC Services Card and it is provided to eligible B.C residents who have enrolled with the province’s Medical Service Plan (MSP). In order to apply for the BC services card you will have to visit a driving licence office:

• Provide two pieces of identification, of which one has to be your primary ID
• Declare your BC residency status
• Take your photo

The BC Services Card also allows eligible individuals to receive supplementary services above and beyond normal medical health care. Eligible individuals include those who are deemed eligible based on annual net income, receive income assistance recipients, and have certain immigration statuses among others. The supplemental benefits include:

• Chiropractor
• Acupuncture
• Physical and massage therapy
• Naturopathy
• Podiatry (non-surgical)

How to renew your Health Insurance Card?

It is the responsibility of every health insurance card-holder to renew their insurance card within a timely manner and in most instances the health insurance card renewal process is quite simple. As long as your card hasn’t already expired, you should have the option to renew your health card online, via mail, or in person at a service centre.

For example, for Ontario health insurance card, you can visit the ServiceOntario website online a renew it. For BC residents, you can do it at Gov.bc.ca. Therefore, the renewals depend on the province you reside in.

With the above said, each province may have a special renewal stipulation, for example:

• If your Quebec health insurance card has been expired for over 6 months there is a fee of $25 to be paid
• In Ontario, you have to renew your card in person if you are between 75-80

Typically, the renewal process will involve completing a renewal form along with presenting your current health insurance card, providing updated proof of residency, and in some cases, providing a new photo.

It is important to ensure that your health card is renewed before expiry in order to avoid any interruption of health care services.

What are the things to remember about your health insurance card?

Before we wrap up this article, we want to remind you about some of the more important aspects of your health insurance card.

• Always carry your insurance card with you to avoid being denied health care services
• Make sure that the information on your health insurance card is up-to-date and correct
• If any of your personal details change, you must report the amendments to your provincial health ministry
• Do not loan, give, or sell your health insurance card to anyone else
• Do not borrow another person's health insurance card
• Also, make sure to report any loss, theft, or damage to your health card