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    Healthcare for expats in Canada

    Healthcare for expats in Canada

    Published on 25 Nov 2022

    A sunset view of a Canadian skyline, with skyscrapers lit up in neon

    Canada offers citizens and permanent residents a universal public health insurance scheme known as Medicare. The quality of medical services in Canada is typically highly regarded and known for its remarkable standards of treatment and professionals. But what provisions have been made for expats in the country?

    Expats living in Canada without permanent residency are not eligible for Medicare. In order to be treated by Medicare, a health insurance card is required – which foreign nationals can apply for once they have acquired permanent resident status.

    The standard waiting period for a Medicare health insurance card is three months. Expats usually take out a private health insurance plan to cover them until they receive their card and are able to access public health care services. Also, and unfortunately for some foreign nationals, some nationalities are not eligible for registration with Medicare services.

    Other challenges of Medicare

    In spite of the great benefits of the Canadian public health care system and its high standards, there have been reported issues with long waiting times for treatment and shortage of personnel.

    Another downfall is that, like most public health schemes, Medicare is not an all-encompassing system – a reason why not only expats but also many Canadian nationals choose to pay for private health insurance to supplement the public coverage.

    Why expats choose IPMI policies

    Individual private medical insurance (IPMI) policies can often be advantageous to expats, in comparison to local policies. The international coverage provided by IPMI policies is especially convenient for globally mobile citizens, as they can offer access to health professionals and medical services anywhere in the world.

    Some expatriates who are eligible and able to benefit from Medicare still opt to choose private health insurance in Canada to complement the public coverage, and to gain the best access to healthcare services – skipping the long waiting times that can derive from public health care.

    Expatriates relocating to Canada are advised to look into their options with private health insurance companies to ensure their cover and best access to medical treatment in the country.

    Discover more about Cigna International Health Plans.

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    This article has been prepared for general information only and is not intended to provide or constitute advice. Although reasonable steps have been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this article as at the date of production, the position may change at any time. As a consequence, we cannot guarantee that the information contained in this article is accurate or up to date and it should not be solely relied upon. To ensure you have the most accurate and up to date information available, we recommend that you consult government agencies or seek independent legal, financial or medical advice regarding residency, insurance or healthcare rights and requirements in relation to the relevant country or territory.

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