Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Halifax, Canada

"You cannot get any health care without having permanent residency card which takes over 4 years and retired people are not even considered if you register online, as everyone is told to do. You can pay exorbitant out of pocket fees though. Over $500. Just to have your eye pressure taken by an ophthalmologist. The only health insurance you can get is travel insurance and emergency insurance at high prices. A small bottle of aspirin that costs less than $2. In the US, costs over $10. In Canada including 15 per cent tax. Although you can buy prescription medication while in the US cheaper in Canada through the mail, if you are living in Canada, it is difficult to even find a lot of medications because they say there is a big shortage here," wrote one expat.

"About 10 minutes by car. I do not know about the services because I never had to use them, but since I do not have a health care I do not know what the cost would be. Everything is public, but I hear a lot of complaints from natives that they have to wait to be assigned to a doctor because there is big shortage here," commented one expat living in Halifax, Canada.

"Would not have to travel. Since Halifax is the center of this province, everyone else would have to come here for the best care available," said one expat.

"Again, if you do not have a health card, everything is out of pocket and very expensive. There is no maintenance type of insurance you can buy. Only travel and emergency in other words, if you are retired, Canada does not want you. Only marriage to a Canadian would make things easier, but for the majority of retires, this is not an option," said an expat in Halifax.

"Yes, as a foreigner living in Halifax, you will have access to public healthcare, provided you have the necessary legal status such as being a permanent resident or having a work permit. The Canadian healthcare system, known as Medicare, is publicly funded and mostly free at the point of use. It is funded through taxes and administered by the provinces and territories. In Nova Scotia, where Halifax is located, the public health insurance plan is called the Medical Services Insurance (MSI) Program. It covers the cost of medically necessary health care services, including visits to doctors, specialists, and hospital stays. However, it does not cover the cost of prescription drugs, dental care, or vision care. The quality of healthcare in Canada is generally high, with excellent facilities and well-trained professionals. However, one common complaint is the long wait times for certain procedures and specialist appointments. Emergency care is prioritized and is typically delivered promptly. It's important to note that you must apply for health coverage when you arrive in Nova Scotia. Coverage usually begins three months after your arrival, so you may want to have private health insurance to cover you during this period," mentioned one expat in Halifax.