Canadian health care: Government Services and Insurance planners in Canada

 The Canadian health care system has been a big success since its introduction in the country in 1967. The health care system funded by the public provides health services that are almost free to Canadian citizens. These are managed and administered on a provincial and territorial level guided under the Canadian Health Act. All citizens are eligible for health care services regardless of medical history, income, and standard of living. The government aims to ensure the quality of service through federal standards. However, the publicly funded healthcare system does not include prescription drugs. Home care or long-term care, prescribed glasses or dental care are excluded too. Canadian citizens pay for these services either themselves or through private medical insurance and other plans provided by an insurance company or Insurance Brokers. 

Benefits of the Canadian health care

1. It is available to everyone

The health care system which or Medicare in Canada is offered to all citizens and is not determined by the finances of individuals.

2. Health Education Programs

The provincial and territorial governments of Canada run health educational programs regularly. These education programs try to make citizens more aware, so they can avoid injuries and offer the right approach to general health issues. If the ailments are detected earlier, it helps in reducing their impact. These programs are funded by the Canadian government and go a long way in educating its citizens of all ages and backgrounds.

Without this universal health care system, these programs may not have been funded or thus becoming irrelevant. 

3. Caring for special needs

The Canadian Medicare takes into full consideration the needs of children, disabled citizens, and the elderly. For senior citizens and disabled children, there is a need for special care and attention, and the health care system was made with this in mind.

 The Canadian national health program is called Canada Medicare (public health insurance). But there are also insurance companies in Canada for the purpose of covering Canadian citizens including legal, long-term residents who can also receive medical services through Medicare. Medicare is easily paid for through taxes, and there is no cost when you use medical care.

This basic medical insurance provided by the government is governed by the provincial governments, and the provinces have different regulations. The system is governed and developed by Medicare in each Province of Canada and each province has control over the rules in their area.

However, Medicare National Health Insurance does not pay for prescription drugs, general dental care, optometry, ambulance and other general medical expenses. Canadians usually prefer to get supplemental health insurance to help pay for these additional health care services. There are many insurance brokers to consult about insurance in Canada. It is recommended to take along with you to Canada, good protection for prescription drugs and ambulance.

Coverage under Government and insurance company

The Canadian provinces and territories that administer their own universal health insurance programs cover all provincial and territorial residents. Their federal government supports the public programs through fiscal transfers. 

It is conditional on their meeting the five criteria of the Canada Health Act, including universal coverage for medically necessary hospitalization, diagnostic, and physician services (Medicare).

 Each province and territory is responsible for establishing its own residency requirements. Although the provinces/territories provide some limited services,the undocumented immigrants, including denied refugees, those who stay in Canada beyond the legal permit, and those who enter the country "illegally,"are not at all covered in any federal or provincial program. Coverage of other health services is provided through a mix of public programs and private health insurance. Insurance companies can cover you for term life or permanent.

The federal government provides additional health care benefits (and compensates provincial/territorial governments) for physician and hospital services provided to First Nations and Inuit, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Forces, veterans, refugee claimants, and inmates in federal penitentiaries. Around two-thirds of Canadians also have private health insurance, which covers services that are not covered under the public programs.

Private Health Insurance by Insurance companies 

The medical care offered by one province or territory might not be covered in other provinces and territories. For this reason, you do require private health insurance if you plan to travel. Getting insurance through an insurance broker can cover you and help you lead a safe life. 

Private health insurance is also available for services that may not be covered under your province or territory’s health insurance plan. These services generally include prescription drugs, dental costs, private hospital rooms, ambulance services, and prescription glasses. 

Four self-employed workers, one contract worker with no benefits and one recently retired friend want extra health care coverage beyond basic government-funded medicare. Canadians tend to focus on the publicly funded side of the health system, although 60 percent of them have extended coverage, usually through employers or unions. But with baby boomers retiring — and the rise of contracting out — more will be paying out of pocket for those extras in the future.

What’s covered?

Everyone in Canada receives medically needed doctor’s visits, diagnostic tests, and hospital care, largely through the taxes we pay.

What’s not covered under Canada’s health care?

Excluded are Prescription drugs, dentists, eye exams, hearing aids, private hospital rooms, psychologists, counselors, physiotherapists, cosmetic surgery and tests needed for immigration papers, driver’s license, and insurance.

One must surely consider getting an insurance plan from an insurance broker so that you and your family are insured for all that government health care does not provide for.