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Canada
Health
services
Applying
for a Health Insurance Card
Canada
has one of the finest health insurance programs in the world. Health
insurance means that you don't have to "pay" directly for
most health care services. They are paid for through your taxes.
When you use these services, you simply present your Health
Insurance Card.
While
health insurance is a national service, each province administers
its own program. There may be some variations for eligibility from
province to province. In some provinces you will have to pay a small
monthly fee for this insurance. It is important to apply for your
Health Insurance Card as soon as possible. You will receive your
Health Insurance Card from the province where you live. You can get
an application form at a doctor's office, a hospital, a pharmacy or
an immigrant-serving organization. You can also get forms from the
provincial ministry responsible for health, listed in the blue pages
of your telephone book. You will need to show some identification,
such as your birth certificate or passport and/or Record of Landing
(IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292).
The Permanent Resident Card may also be presented.
Permanent
residents in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick
have a three-month eligibility waiting period. During this time, you
should apply for temporary private, health insurance coverage.
Private insurance companies are listed in the yellow pages of the
telephone book, usually under "Insurance." Private health
insurance is also available for services which are not covered under
the government health insurance plan. These might include dental
costs or private hospital rooms. Some employers also offer
additional health insurance for a monthly deduction from your
paycheque. In most provinces, health insurance does not cover the
cost of prescription drugs, dental care, ambulance services and
prescription eye glasses.
Needy
refugee claimants and refugees living in the provinces which have
the three-month eligibility waiting period can receive emergency and
essential health services. The cost of these services is covered by
the Interim Federal Health Program.
Remember:
Each member of your family needs his or her own Health Insurance
Card. Always bring your card with you when you go to the doctor or
the hospital.
A
Health Insurance Card must not be exchanged with anyone else. It is
for your use only and you could lose the benefits it provides by
letting other people use it. You could also face criminal charges
and be removed from Canada.
Finding
doctors and clinics
Most
Canadians have a family doctor and dentist. Ask an immigrant service
organization or someone you know to recommend one. You can also look
them up in the yellow pages of the telephone book under
"Physicians and Surgeons," or "Dentists." Canada
also has a large number of medical clinics, which can offer a
variety of health services without an appointment, or in a minor
emergency. These are listed under "Clinics" or
"Clinics-Medical" in the yellow pages.
Emergency
help
If
you need urgent medical help, quickly go to the emergency department
of your nearest hospital or call the emergency number
"911."
If
you have a serious medical condition, such as diabetes, high blood
pressure or allergies to medications, ask your doctor or hospital
about Medic Alert tags and bracelets. These can provide useful
information in an emergency.
Immunization
for children
Immunization
or vaccination for children is one of the most effective ways we
protect all Canadians, young and old, from getting serious
infectious diseases. These diseases include diphtheria, polio and
tetanus. Your child gets a small dose of vaccine to help him or her
build up "immunity" to these diseases. You can arrange to
have your child innoculated through your doctor or pediatrician, or
through a public health clinic. You will receive an immunization or
vaccination record, which you may have to provide to your child's
school.
In
Canada there is a "schedule" for these immunizations. For
example, some shots are given when your child is two months old, at
four months, at six months, and so on. Ask your doctor or
pediatrician for a copy of this schedule, or look up the municipal
department responsible for school immunization in the blue pages of
your telephone book. You may also find a central help line listed
under "Immunization" in the white pages of the telephone
book. The schedule varies slightly from province to province.
Immunization
for adults
If
you were not immunized against preventable diseases before coming to
Canada, you should contact your doctor or local public health clinic
immediately.
Medical
surveillance
During
the medical exam you underwent before becoming a Canadian resident,
you may have been told that you needed a follow-up medical exam once
you got to Canada. This is known as medical surveillance for those
who have an inactive infectious disease. You must report, by
telephone, to the public health authority of the province or
territory where you live within 30 days of entering Canada. You will
find this number in the blue pages of your telephone book. This is
very important for your health, and for the health of your fellow
Canadians.
Pregnancy
Maternity
leave is the right of all working mothers in Canada. If you are
pregnant and have to stop working for a while, you can take leave,
from your employer for a set period of time. You may also be
entitled to paid leave, or maternity benefits. You can get more
information from the provincial ministry responsible for labour or
from a Human Resources Development Canada office.
For
help and information before and after your baby is born, contact
your local community service centre or hospital. They offer prenatal
courses, medical help, nursing care, and a way to meet other new
mothers. They can also give you information on registering the birth
with the province, so that you receive an official birth
certificate. They can also advise you about birth control and
abortion.
To
find out more...
Key
medical emergency numbers are listed in the front section of the
white pages of your telephone book. Look up doctors and clinics in
the yellow pages. There is also printed health information available
from provincial ministries of health and from Citizenship and
Immigration Canada. Free pamphlets are also available on a variety
of topics from Health Canada (found in the federal listings in the
blue pages of your telephone book), or from doctor's offices and
drug stores.
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