Quick answer
Canada’s health care system is a set of provincial public plans, not a single national insurer. Under the Canada Health Act, those plans must cover medically necessary hospital, physician, and certain surgical-dental services for eligible residents, on uniform terms, without patient charges at the point of care.
Buying your own US plan for 2027? Finalized benchmark silver premiums on the ACA marketplaces are up 13% on average for 2027, the second double-digit rise in a row, and the extra federal subsidies that ran through 2025 have expired (KFF, October 30, 2026). Open enrollment for 2027 started November 1, 2026.
Calculate it: your US health costs vs Canadian tax
Canada has no premium for insured hospital and doctor care, but you pay for it through income tax. Enter your salary, state, and current health costs to see the net difference by province.
What's Covered vs. What Isn't
✓ Fully Covered
- All doctor (GP and specialist) visits
- Emergency room and urgent care
- All hospital stays and surgeries
- Lab work, blood tests, urinalysis
- X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans
- Prenatal care and childbirth
- Mental health (psychiatrist referrals)
- Cancer treatment and chemotherapy
- Dialysis and chronic disease management
✗ Not Universally Covered
- Prescription drugs (regulated but not free)
- Dental care (except for children in some provinces)
- Vision care and glasses
- Physiotherapy (limited in some provinces)
- Ambulance fees (province-dependent)
- Semi-private hospital rooms
- Cosmetic procedures
- Most therapist/psychologist sessions
For the uncovered items, most full-time employers provide "Extended Health Benefits" — a supplemental plan that typically covers 80–100% of dental, vision, and prescriptions with no employee premium deduction. This is Canada's equivalent of US employer insurance, but it sits on top of universal coverage rather than replacing it.
When Does Coverage Start?
This varies by province and is the most important thing to know before you move.
Ontario (OHIP)
Ontario says there is no longer a waiting period if you are eligible. Apply in person at ServiceOntario.
Alberta (AHCIP)
From outside Canada, coverage can start on your residency date if you apply within 3 months.
British Columbia (MSP)
Rest of your arrival month plus two more months. Apply as soon as you arrive.
Quebec (RAMQ)
Usual wait from registration. Some statuses (including certain social-security agreements) are exempt.
Manitoba
Citizens and permanent residents arriving from outside Canada may apply from the date they arrive.
Nova Scotia (MSI)
From outside Canada, coverage usually starts on the date you become a resident. Interprovincial moves still wait.
All 10 provinces, plus ambulance fees and public drug plans, are in one table in what provincial health insurance covers, province by province.
A spouse is not added to your health card automatically; see who qualifies on their own in our guide to waiting for provincial coverage.
How to Register Once You Arrive
Apply for your provincial health card
Visit your province's ServiceOntario / AHS / HIBC office (or apply online in some provinces) within the first week. Bring your PR card or work permit, proof of address, and ID.
Wait out the eligibility period
If your province has a waiting period, your private bridge insurance covers you. Keep receipts — some employers reimburse this cost.
Receive your health card
You'll get a physical card in the mail. In Ontario it's the green OHIP card. In BC it's the CareCard / BC Services Card. Carry it everywhere.
Find a family doctor (GP)
General practitioner recruitment and retention varies; some provinces experience longer waitlists to secure a primary care physician. In Ontario and British Columbia, finding a family doctor accepting new patients can require several months. Use Health811 (Ontario), HealthLink 811 (BC), or walk-in clinics for non-emergency care while you wait. Urgent issues always go to the ER.
US vs Canada health care: the side-by-side
Canada’s system prioritizes by medical urgency, not ability to pay. Emergencies are treated immediately; non-urgent imaging or elective surgery can wait. The dollar figures on the US side are typical out-of-pocket ranges, not a quote for your plan. The Canada side assumes you are enrolled in a provincial plan for insured services.
| Situation | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇨🇦 Canada |
|---|---|---|
| ER visit (broken arm) | $1,500–$3,000 after deductible | $0 |
| Childbirth (vaginal delivery) | $3,000–$8,000 out-of-pocket | $0 |
| Monthly insulin (Type 1 diabetes) | $200–$400/month | $30–$60/month |
| Cancer diagnosis treatment | Up to annual out-of-pocket max ($9,100 individual) | $0 for treatment; drugs may vary |
| GP visit (annual checkup) | $0 with insurance / $150–$300 cash | $0 always |
| MRI (knee) | $500–$2,000 with insurance | $0 (wait: 4–12 weeks) |
| Monthly health insurance premium (family) | KFF 2025 average worker share: $6,850/year (~$571/month) | $0 public-plan premium for insured services |
Prescriptions: The Nuance
Prescription drugs are not universally covered under provincial health plans — unlike some other universal healthcare models, prescription drugs are not universally funded by provincial health plans. However, medication prices are federally regulated by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB), resulting in lower average prices than US market cash prices. Most full-time employer benefit plans cover 80–100% of prescription costs. If you're self-employed or between jobs, budget roughly $50–$200/month for ongoing medications.
Some provinces cover prescriptions for specific groups (for example Ontario’s OHIP+ for many people 24 and under). Quebec requires residents to have drug insurance — private or the public plan. Confirm current rules on your provincial drug-plan page and the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board before you budget cash prices.
In B.C., Fair PharmaCare does not pay while MSP is inactive, and the default deductible is $10,000 if you do not return the CRA income-consent form.
Frequently asked questions
Compare Healthcare Costs Across Canadian Provinces
Our province calculator includes healthcare-related costs so you can see the real monthly picture for each province.