This page outlines benefits administered by the
Insured Benefits Branch of Manitoba Health and also provides information on
eligibility and registration. Please click on any of the questions below:
Eligibility
Hospital/Medical Coverage in Manitoba
Moving (Temporarily or Permanently)
Out of Country Referrals
Emergency
Care or Medical Attention Outside of Manitoba or Canada
Student Information
To be eligible for Manitoba Health coverage you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or have Immigration status as outlined in The
Health Services Insurance Act
- Establish a permanent residence in Manitoba, and
- Reside (physically) in Manitoba six months in a calendar year
The following are not eligible for coverage:
- tourists
- transients
- visitors
- students other than
Manitoba residents
- Students temporarily
absent from other countries or other provinces and territories in
Canada to attend educational institutions in Manitoba are not eligible
for registration with the Manitoba Health Plan.
If you are eligible (i.e., legally entitled to be in Canada and
live in Manitoba for at least 183 days of the year), coverage will
begin on the first day of the third month after your arrival in
Manitoba. For example, if you arrive on April 29, April will
count as the first month, with May and June as the following
two. Therefore, in this case your coverage would begin July 1.
When you register, Manitoba Health requires your Social Insurance
Number, previous health card, birth certificate and/or driver’s
license. Until your health coverage begins you should maintain
your coverage with your previous health plan.
Please report changes such as a new address, birth, adoption,
death, marriage, divorce, or legal separation to the Insured Benefits
Branch. Documentation is required for some changes.
Where can I register for Manitoba Health coverage?
Client Service Centre
Manitoba Health
300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3M9
For more information call: (204) 786-7101
Fax: (204) 783-2171
Toll free: 1-800-392-1207
TDD/TTY: (204) 774-8618
TDD/TTY Relay Service outside Winnipeg: 711 or 1-800-855-0511
or
City of Winnipeg
510 Main Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 1B9
or
Rural areas: Contact the city or municipal office in your area. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-392-1207.
For TTY/TDD, call 711 or 1-800-855-0511.
Remember: It is an offence to allow anyone, other than those listed
on your registration certificate, to use your certificate.
If you are a new resident and would like to apply for Manitoba
Health coverage, please present your passport and all other original
Citizenship and Immigration Canada documents which have been issued to
you and your dependants. Providing the document you have been
issued is acceptable as outlined in The Health Services Insurance
Act, you may be eligible for coverage.
Who is eligible for Manitoba Health coverage?
Returning Canadians
You are eligible for coverage the day you arrive in
Manitoba, when proof of your Canadian citizenship and residence status
are provided.
Permanent Resident
You are eligible for coverage on your date of arrival in
Manitoba or the date permanent residence is granted.
Work Permit
If your Work Permit is valid for at least 12
months in Manitoba, you and any family members listed on the Work Permit, are eligible for coverage as of the date it
was issued. If your Work Permit is less than 12
months, you are not eligible until you receive an extension allowing
you to stay in Manitoba for at least 12 months. You will then be
covered as of the date of extension.
Visitor/Student Record
You are not eligible for coverage unless you are
accompanying a spouse or parent who has a Work Permit valid for 12 months or more. The Visitor/Student Record must be valid for at
least 183 days. Dependants who reach the age of 18 must be
attending a recognized educational institution or have a Work Permit to be eligible for further benefits.
Where can I register for Manitoba Health coverage?
Client Service Centre
Manitoba Health
300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3M9
For more information call: (204) 786-7101
Fax: (204) 783-2171
Toll free: 1-800-392-1207
TDD/TTY: (204) 774-8618
TDD/TTY Relay Service outside Winnipeg: 711 or 1-800-855-0511
or
City of Winnipeg
510 Main Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 1B9
or
Rural areas: Contact the city or municipal office in your area. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-392-1207.
For TTY/TDD, call 711 or 1-800-855-0511.
If your Manitoba Health card is lost, stolen, or
damaged, please contact the Insured Benefits Branch
immediately for replacement.
Manitoba Health directly pays physicians’ services that are
medically required for you or your dependants. If you are a
Manitoba resident, and are physically present in the province for 183
days, you are eligible for insured medical services. Benefits
include the following services:
- Patients who are billed for insured services by physicians who
practice outside the plan are entitled to reimbursement from
Manitoba Health
- Physicians’ services
- Surgery / anaesthesia
- X-ray and laboratory services in approved facilities when
ordered by a physician
What other practitioners’ services am I insured for?
Optometrists
If you are under 19 years of age or 65 and over you may receive one
complete routine eye exam every two years. Exams for all ages will be
covered if deemed medically necessary by your physician or
optometrist.
Chiropractors
Manitoba Health will insure a maximum of 12 visits per Manitoba
resident per calendar year. The adjustment of the spinal column, pelvis
and extremities are insured chiropractic services.
Dental Surgeons
Manitoba Health will insure certain dental procedures when
hospitalization is required.
You are insured for the following hospital services:
- Accommodation and meals at the standard level
- Necessary nursing services
- Laboratory, x-ray and diagnostic procedures
- Medications administered in a hospital
- Use of the operating room, care room and anaesthetic facilities
- Routine surgical supplies
- Occupational, speech and physiotherapy
- Dietetic counselling
If you have always lived in Manitoba, you are eligible for personal
care home benefits. If you are a newcomer to Manitoba you are eligible
after living in the province for 24 consecutive months.
If you formerly lived in Manitoba for
30 years or more you are eligible on the date you return to Manitoba as a
permanent resident, after an absence of less than 10 years. The waiting
period requirement does not apply to a person who has been a resident of a
province or territory of Canada for five consecutive years and immediately
establishes himself or herself as a resident of Manitoba. The need for
placement in a Manitoba personal care home is determined by an assessment
panel authorized by Manitoba Health.
If a Manitoba assessment panel determines that you require care in
a personal care home and you meet the residency requirements, you may
receive insured benefits.
Some of these benefits include:
- standard accommodation
- basic nursing care
- assistance with and/or supervision of the activities of daily
living
- physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- medical and surgical supplies
- prescribed drugs and related preparations approved by Manitoba
Health
- meals including special diets
- laundry and linen services
For more
information on any of the above programs contact:
Client Service Centre
Manitoba Health
300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3M9
For more information call: (204) 786-7101
Fax: (204) 783-2171
Toll free: 1-800-392-1207
TDD/TTY: (204) 774-8618
TDD/TTY Relay Service outside Winnipeg: 711 or 1-800-855-0511
Everyone who lives in a Manitoba Personal care home is required to
pay a daily residential fee established by Manitoba Health. For
details write or telephone:
Residential Charge Program
Financial Services
Manitoba Health
300 Carlton St.
Winnipeg MB R3B 3M9
Telephone: (204) 786-7150
Services not insured include the following:
- personal care home benefits outside of Manitoba
- health services performed at the request of a third party, such
as examinations for employment, drivers' licences, insurance, travel, immigration or emigration
- care and treatment covered by the Workers' Compensation Board,
the Department of Veterans' Services or by other statute
- services that are not medically required
- preparation of records, reports, certificates or communications,
or testimony in a court
- drugs, medications, vaccines, sera or biological products,
materials and surgical supplies, except as provided for under the
regulations
- ambulance and transportation subsidies except as listed in the
regulations
- private nursing
- additional charges for a private or semi-private room
- television and radio-telephone services
- services performed by psychologists and dietitians outside a
hospital or institution
- services performed by chiropodists and podiatrists
- services performed by audiologists, speech therapists,
occupational therapists and physiotherapists in private practice
- chiropractic services other than adjustments
- acupuncture
- telephone advice
- services provided by any other practitioner in the healing arts
except as listed in the regulations
- Effective April 1, 1996 routine complete eye examinations for
persons 19 years of age or older but under the age of 65
- Effective August 1, 1996 chiropractic treatments as a result of
a motor vehicle accident covered by Manitoba Public Insurance
- services such as examinations, laboratory tests, x-rays and
other procedures related to uninsured services
Ground ambulance transportation within Manitoba is
not an insured service, unless you are being transferred for tests
and returned to the sending facility within 24 hours. Manitoba
Health encourages all residents to obtain third-party insurance in the
event that a medical emergency arises.
Interfacility transportation costs are an insured benefit in
the following circumstances:
"A written order is made by a physician for
a hospital patient/personal care home resident who requires special
care/diagnostic services that are not available at the originating
facility and that patient/resident is returned to the facility of
origin within 24 hours."
Out of Province Transport of Manitobans
If you require an ambulance while out of the Province there are no subsidies/coverage from the Manitoba government.
You will be charged by the ambulance service/company that provides the
service at full cost recovery.
The rate for out of province ambulance service may be substantially
higher than rates charged local residents, as local subsidies will not
apply.
A Manitoba ambulance may transport you if you require routine medical care in a bordering province to a
neighbouring
provincial facility. Ambulance costs would be billed at local
Manitoba rates.
Manitoba Physicians in border areas should be aware that referrals
to neighbouring provinces may have significant financial consequences
to you, the patient. Should the physician in the bordering hospital
elect to refer you for specialized care within that province, you would be subject to the full cost recovery fee
charged by that Province at a non-resident rate for transport. Transportation
costs from out of province hospitals are not an insured service.
Air Ambulance Transfers
Air ambulance transfers may be an insured service in one of three
ways:
- Patients meeting the acuity requirements for transportation
under the Manitoba
Lifeflight Air Ambulance program are fully insured for the air
component of the transport but are responsible for all costs
associated with land ambulance transport to and from the airport
- Patients located north of the 53rd parallel qualify
for the Northern
Patient Transportation Program for medically necessary
transportation
- First nation residents living on reserves may also qualify for
medical air or land transportation under federal programs
Physicians are encouraged to contact Manitoba Health
Out-of-Province claims or Lifeflight PRIOR to referring any
patient to an out of province hospital.
You may be eligible for northern transportation subsidy to help pay
for transportation costs if you live north of the 53rd
parallel in Manitoba and are required to travel long distances for
specialty medical care.
For more information about the Northern Patient Transportation
Program, please
click here.
Moving from Manitoba permanently:
If you are leaving Manitoba permanently, you should
apply to the Insured Benefits Branch for an Out-of-Province
Certificate. You will be eligible for coverage:
- If you are moving to another province or territory
Coverage by the Manitoba Plan is provided for the remainder of the
month in which you arrive at your new residence plus two
additional months (except personal care home benefits).
Immediately on arrival be sure to contact the health insurance
plan in the new province of residence to arrange for continuity of
coverage.
- If you are moving to another country
Coverage by the Manitoba Plan is provided for the remainder of the month in
which you leave Manitoba, plus two additional months.
If you are a student leaving Manitoba to
study, please click here.
What if I’m moving for a temporary
employment opportunity?
If you are employed outside of Canada with plans to
return, you must provide Manitoba Health with a copy of your work
contract that indicates the length of your work term. If you intend to
return to Manitoba, Manitoba Health may extend your coverage for up to
24 months.
Note: If you plan on taking your spouse or children
with you, please inform Manitoba Health to ensure their continued coverage.
What if I’m taking a vacation, or an
extended leave, but plan on returning?
To remain eligible for Manitoba Health coverage,
you must be present in Manitoba for at least 183 days of the calendar
year, which do not have to be consecutive. In this event, apply for a
term certificate. If you plan to be away for longer than 90 days,
please contact Manitoba Health for more information.
If you are planning on moving, either temporarily
or permanently, and wish to apply for continued health coverage,
please contact Manitoba Health at:
Registration
Manitoba Health
300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 3M9
For more information call: (204) 786-7384
Toll free: 1-800-392-1207
FAX: (204) 783-2171
TTY/TDD: (204) 774-8618
TDD/TTY Relay Service outside Winnipeg: 711 or
1-800-855-0511
Please note: We recommend you explore private
insurance options along with your Manitoba Health coverage.
Manitoba has agreements with all Canadian provinces (except Quebec)
to allow physicians to bill your provincial health plan, although some
physicians may choose to bill you directly. If you are admitted to an
approved hospital anywhere in Canada, Manitoba Health will pay the
standard rate. Because some services are excluded, you are encouraged
to obtain additional health insurance before travelling. Contact
Manitoba Health for more information.
Note: You must show your Manitoba Health card to the doctor or
hospital.
Doctor Bills - Manitoba Health
will pay for emergency doctors’ services outside of Canada at a rate
equal to what a Manitoba doctor would receive for a similar service.
Hospital Bills - Emergency
hospital care is paid on an average daily rate established by Manitoba
Health.
You may be charged more than the amount paid by Manitoba Health for
services provided outside Canada.
The difference above the covered amount may be substantial and is
your responsibility.
Bring or mail your original bill to the Out-of-Province Claim
Section at Manitoba Health within 6 months of receiving care. If you
have made payments on your bills, Manitoba Health requires a receipt
showing the amount paid. If you do not include your receipt, Manitoba
Health will pay the hospital or doctor directly.
For more information contact:
Manitoba Health
300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 3M9
For more information call: (204) 786-7303
Toll free: 1-800-392-1207 Ext. 7303
TDD/TTY: 774-8618
TDD/TTY Relay Service outside Winnipeg: 711 or 1-800-855-0511
Any Manitoba resident who leaves the province temporarily to attend
an accredited educational institution is eligible, provided the
following requirements are met.
If you are a Manitoba resident leaving the province to attend
school on a full-time basis, the following letters must be provided to
Manitoba Health prior to your departure:
- A letter from you requesting continued coverage from Manitoba
Health. This letter should contain your full name, permanent
Manitoba address and temporary new address, the date of departure
and expected date of return to Manitoba, Manitoba Health number,
and the names of any family members accompanying you.
- A letter from an accredited educational institution confirming
your full-time attendance and duration of studies. You must
reapply for coverage and provide confirmation for each subsequent
year.
After these letters are received, a term certificate confirming
your eligibility during your absence will be sent to you.
Where can I send/drop off my materials?
Manitoba Health
300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3M9
For more information call: (204) 786-7384
FAX: (204) 783-2171
Toll free: 1-800-392-1207
TDD: (204) 774-8618
TDD/TTY Relay Service outside Winnipeg: 711 or 1-800-855-0511
What happens if I need to see a doctor or receive medical
attention?
In Canada:
Show your Manitoba Health card to the physician. The physician will
either bill Manitoba Health directly for the services, or bill you, in
which case you need to obtain an itemized receipt. Manitoba Health
will pay you according to that province or territory’s fee schedule
rate.
Outside Canada:
Payment of the bill may be your responsibility.
Submit your original receipt to Manitoba Health for consideration of
payment. You will be reimbursed according to the rate which would have
been paid had the same care been received in Manitoba.
Please note: It is recommended you obtain additional medical
insurance before leaving.
The Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan is financed from general revenues of the Province of Manitoba
and with funds provided by the Government of Canada. All statements are subject to the provisions of
The Health Services Insurance
Act and Regulations.
Insured Benefits Branch
Manitoba Health
300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg MB R3B 3M9
CANADA
Phone Numbers:
Voice: (204) 786-7101
Toll Free: 1-800-392-1207
Fax: (204) 783-2171
Deaf Access Line TTY/TDD: (204) 774-8618
Residents within the province
from outside Winnipeg:
Deaf Access Line TTY/TDD:
Call the Manitoba Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-432-4444 to reach the
above number.
Manitoba Pharmacare Program:
Voice: (204) 786-7141
Toll-Free: 1-800-297-8099
E-mail: pharmacare@gov.mb.ca
Health Care Abuse/Fraud Line:
Voice: (204) 786-7118
Toll-Free: 1-866-778-7730
Residents should carry their
registration certificate (Manitoba Health card) at all times to present when they or
their dependants require health services.
|
|