Medicine and health in Canada

In Canada, access to healthcare depends on whether you are a resident of the province and whether you have a Health Card. The Medicare system covers most basic services, but rules and programs vary by region.

Public insurance (Medicare)

Each province manages its own program.

• In Ontario, it is OHIP, which covers doctor visits, hospitalization, and diagnostics.
  
• In Quebec, there is RAMQ, which also reimburses part of the cost of medications.
• In British Columbia, there is MSP, which covers most medical services for residents.

To use Medicare, you must register with the system after obtaining a residence permit. In some provinces, there is a waiting period of 2-3 months when public coverage is not yet in effect.

Private insurance

Since Medicare does not cover everything, most Canadians and foreigners purchase additional insurance. It reimburses the costs of:

• dentistry and orthodontics;
  
• ophthalmology (glasses, contact lenses);
  
• physiotherapy and massage;
  
• part of the cost of medication;
• private rooms in hospitals.

Policies can be taken out individually or through an employer or university.

Insurance for Ukrainians

• Tourists and temporary visitors — Medicare is not available, international insurance is required.
  
• Students and workers — it is advisable to have private insurance for the first few months until you receive your Health Card.

If you are a student or employee

Foreign students and employees can sign up for Medicare, but there is often a waiting period of 2-3 months. During this time, you will need to have private insurance. Some universities and employers immediately issue group policies for new arrivals.

If you are a tourist

Public insurance is not available to tourists. All services will be paid for if you do not have an international policy. Even an ambulance call or doctor's consultation can cost several hundred Canadian dollars.

Insurance for tourists and newcomers

During the first weeks of your stay in Canada, medical expenses can be high because public Medicare coverage is not yet in effect. The same applies to tourists, for whom this system is not available at all. To protect yourself from unexpected bills for an ambulance or doctor's consultation, take out an international insurance policy before you leave.

What is not covered by Medicare

Even Ukrainians with a Health Card will have to pay for the following themselves:

• dentistry and orthodontics;
  
• eyeglasses and contact lenses;
  
• most medications purchased at a pharmacy;
  
• cosmetology and aesthetic services.

This requires a private insurance policy.

Documents confirming eligibility for free services

• passport;
  
• visa or other status;
  
• Health Card (after registration in the system).

In Canada, pharmacies are a key part of the healthcare system. Here, you can not only buy medicine, but also get basic advice from a pharmacist.

Where to find a pharmacy

Pharmacies operate within large supermarket chains and independently. The most popular ones are: Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, and PharmaChoice.

• In large cities, most pharmacies are open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and some are open 24 hours a day.
  
• To find the nearest pharmacy, you can use Google Maps or the official websites of the chains.

Over-the-counter medications

The following medications can be purchased without a prescription in Canada:

• fever reducers and pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin);
  
• antiallergic drugs;
  
• vitamins and dietary supplements;
  
• cold and cough remedies.

More serious medications, such as antibiotics, are only available with a prescription.

How to get a prescription

• Prescriptions are written by your family doctor or a specialist to whom you have been referred.
  
• For chronic conditions, your doctor may prescribe a refill so that you can get your medication regularly without having to see them again.
• Most pharmacies use an electronic prescription system, where your doctor sends the prescription directly to the pharmacy and you just need to show your Health Card.

Does insurance cover medication?

• In most provinces, Medicare does not cover the cost of medication purchased at a pharmacy.
  
• The exception is Quebec, where RAMQ partially reimburses the cost of prescription drugs.
• In most cases, private insurance is required to reduce medication costs.

Online ordering and consultations

Canadian pharmacies offer online services: you can order prescription and over-the-counter medications for home delivery. Pharmacists can also provide consultations by phone or video link, especially in large chains.

Practical advice for Ukrainians

If you have come from Ukraine and have regular prescriptions, bring a list of medications with the active ingredient in Latin. This will help your doctor or pharmacist find a Canadian equivalent, as brand names often differ.

The emergency medical system in Canada works effectively and is accessible to everyone, regardless of status. However, the cost of services may vary depending on the province and insurance coverage.

How to call an ambulance

• The single number 911 is valid anywhere in Canada.
• The call is free, and operators usually speak English or French.
  
• The ambulance crew arrives at the scene and, if necessary, takes the patient to the emergency room.

Do they provide service without insurance

Yes, emergency care will be provided to everyone, even if you do not have a Health Card or private insurance. However:

• the cost of an ambulance call can range from 100 to 600 CAD depending on the province;
• staying in the emergency room is covered by Medicare for residents, but tourists pay for it themselves or through international insurance;
  
• if you do not have a policy, the hospital will bill the patient directly.

When is care free

• For residents with a Health Card, most expenses are covered by Medicare.
• For tourists, services are only covered if they have international insurance.

Hospitalization: what you need to know

• In public hospitals, Medicare covers hospitalization for residents and Ukrainians with temporary protection status.
• Tourists pay the full cost, which can reach several thousand CAD for a few days' stay.
• Private rooms, additional amenities, or services are paid for separately, even if you have a Health Card.

What documents to bring with you

When registering at a hospital, it is always useful to have:

• your passport;
• your Health Card (if you are a resident or a participant in the CUAET program);
  
• your insurance policy (private or international).

📎 Tip: even if you don't have a Health Card yet, keep all your medical receipts and statements — you can submit them for partial reimbursement after you receive your card.

Before traveling to Canada, it is important to prepare documents and tools that will help you quickly navigate the healthcare system. This will save time and protect you from unnecessary expenses in case of illness or emergency.

What documents to prepare

• foreign passport;
• medical insurance policy (mandatory for tourists and those who are still waiting for a Health Card);
  
• visa or other document confirming your status;
  
• Health Card — after registering with the relevant provincial system;
  
• list of your medications with the active ingredient indicated in Latin.

Useful mobile apps

• Maple — online consultations with doctors in Canada;
  
• Telus Health — virtual medical services;
  
• Google Maps — search for the nearest pharmacies and hospitals;
  
• apps from provincial systems: for example, RAMQ in Quebec or OHIP in Ontario.

Official resources

• Canada.ca — general information about government programs.
  
• OHIP — Ontario's healthcare system.
  
• RAMQ — Quebec's healthcare system.
• MSP — British Columbia's healthcare system.

Emergency services phone numbers

• 911 — single number for police, ambulance, and fire services across Canada.
  
• 811 — medical information line in most provinces (you can get advice from a nurse over the phone).