Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP)

In the context of Canada, a "Government Health Insurance Plan" (GHIP) refers to the publicly funded health care system that provides coverage to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents for medically necessary hospital and physician services without direct charges at the point of care. Each of Canada's ten provinces and three territories administers its own health insurance plan, in accordance with national principles set out under the Canada Health Act of 1984. These principles ensure that health care is universal, comprehensive, accessible, portable, and publicly administered.

Key aspects of GHIP include:

1. Coverage: GHIPs cover a wide range of services, including hospital care, visits to physicians, and in some cases, additional services such as limited dental care, optometry, and prescription medications, although the extent of additional coverage can vary significantly from one province or territory to another.
2. Funding: These plans are funded through taxes collected by federal and provincial/territorial governments. The federal government provides financial support to the provinces and territories through the Canada Health Transfer, based on adherence to the principles of the Canada Health Act.
3. Administration: While the federal government sets and enforces national health care principles, each province and territory is responsible for the management, organization, and delivery of health services for their residents.
4. Portability: Canadians moving from one province or territory to another remain covered under their home province's plan until they become eligible for coverage in their new location, ensuring continuous health care coverage across the country.
5. Supplementary Coverage: While GHIPs provide comprehensive coverage for basic health care services, many Canadians also have private health insurance plans to cover services not included under GHIP, such as prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, and extended health services.
6. Eligibility: All Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for coverage under their respective provincial or territorial health insurance plan. Newcomers to Canada must typically complete a waiting period, usually up to three months, before becoming eligible for public health insurance coverage.

The Government Health Insurance Plans in Canada are a cornerstone of the country's health care system, ensuring that essential medical services are accessible to all residents based on need rather than the ability to pay. This system reflects Canada's commitment to providing universal health care coverage to its population.

More can be learned about the various GHIP programs by clicking here.