How to buy health insurance for your first time in Canada

Health care in Canada is free (more accurately, it's not free since the cost of health care is tax deductible). Even if you are not a Canadian citizen but have permanent residency status, you can get government health insurance and use basic health care services for free.

In some regions, however, the insurance does not take effect immediately, but only three months after arrival. This rule applies in the following provinces and territories:

• British Columbia;
• Quebec;
• New Brunswick;
• Ontario;
• Prince Edward Island;
• Saskatchewan;
• Northwest Territories.

For example, if you moved to New Brunswick on August 20, August would be considered the first month and September and October would be the next two months. In this case, your state insurance coverage will begin on November 1.

If you suddenly break your arm, get sick, go to the hospital or just go to the doctor, you will have to pay for any examination according to the price list that applies to foreigners.

Here are examples of costs for inpatient care in Ontario for patients without insurance. The prices are in Canadian dollars:

• Standard room — $1,900 for Canadians or $2,800 for non-residents (per day);
• Separate room — $2,100 for Canadians or $3,100 for non-residents (per day);
• ICU room — $5,200 (per day);
• X-rays are $30 to $50;
• MRI is $1,350 for Canadians or $2,030 for non-residents;
• the lab test is $125;
• an ambulance to the hospital is $240.

If you are moving to a region where free health care coverage is only available for three months after you arrive, it is recommended that you buy private temporary insurance, preferably before you come to Canada.

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