In the context of Canada, a “government health insurance plan” (GHIP) refers to the publicly funded health care system that provides coverage to eligible residents of each province and territory 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Eligibility
Canadian citizens and permanent residents who live in a province or territory are eligible for coverage under its health insurance plan, and some temporary residents, such as some work permit holders, also qualify. Some provinces have a waiting period of up to three months for new residents; others have none.
Our guide to provincial and territorial health plans shows what each plan covers and how to contact it.