Leaving Manitoba to Travel, Work, Study or Move
When you leave the province, you can take steps to
ensure you continue to receive benefits from Manitoba Health
while you are away.
The coverage you receive, and the steps you need to
take before you leave, may vary depending on the circumstances
of your departure. Although Manitoba Health covers a broad range
of insured health services, it’s important to know what is
not insured so you can better plan for yourself and your
family.
If you want to know if a specific service is covered, contact
the contact
the Insured Benefits Branch.
Forms
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Yes. If you are visiting another Canadian
province or territory and need hospital
or medical care, show your Manitoba
Health card. In most cases, the doctor
and hospital bills will be sent directly
to Manitoba Health for processing.
You are responsible for some of the costs
of emergency hospital or medical care
when you travel outside of Canada.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to
buy travel health insurance before
you leave. Health care services in other
countries, particularly the United States,
can be significantly more expensive than
here in Manitoba.
If you are admitted on an emergency basis
to a hospital outside of Canada, Manitoba
Health will pay for the services you need
based on established daily rates. If you
are seen in a hospital outpatient or
emergency department, coverage is
limited to a maximum of $100 CDN per
visit. Physician services are covered at
the same rates paid to Manitoba doctors.
In all cases, if the doctor or hospital bills
you directly, be sure to get an original
itemized receipt(s).Then, submit the receipt(s) within six months of the date
you received care, along with an English
translation if necessary, to the Insured
Benefits Branch for reimbursement
consideration. For visits longer than three
months, refer to the section below titled
What if I’m planning an extended
vacation?
If you leave Manitoba specifically to
receive care or treatment outside of
Canada, you are fully responsible for
the cost of these services. The only
exception is when you have received
prior approval from Manitoba Health
See also: Out-of-Province
Medical Referrals .
For information on prescription drugs purchased
outside of Manitoba, contact the Provincial Drug
Plan at (204) 786-7141, toll-free 1-800-297-8099
(within Manitoba). Prescription drugs purchased
in countries other than Canada are not
covered.
If you are a permanent resident of Manitoba and
plan to go on vacation for longer than three
months, you may continue your health coverage.
To be eligible for continued coverage, you must
be in Manitoba for at least 183 days (six months)
of the year.These days do not have to be consecutive
(i.e., 183 days in total each calendar year,
not 183 days in a row).
Before leaving for any extended absence, provide
the following information to the Insured Benefits
Branch in writing:
- your name;
- your six-digit Manitoba Health number;
- confirmation of your permanent Manitoba
address;
- the date you will leave;
- the date you plan to return;
- your out-of-province address and telephone
number;
- the names of any family members who will
accompany you on the trip; and
- the reason for your absence
You will get a term certificate confirming your
coverage with Manitoba Health. It is important
to remember you may need to purchase health
insurance especially if you are traveling
outside of Canada.
If you are leaving to attend an accredited school
or university full time but are still a permanent
resident of Manitoba, you need to include a letter
from the school you will be attending, confirming
you are enrolled as a full-time student and
the length of your studies. You must reapply for
coverage and provide enrolment confirmation
for each year that you attend school outside of
the province.
If you leave Manitoba to take a temporary job,
missionary work, or sabbatical leave outside
Canada, Manitoba Health may extend your
coverage for up to 24 months under certain
conditions.
If you will be returning within 24 months, you
must provide the Insured Benefits Branch with a
copy of your work contract before you go. The
contract must confirm your employment and
outline the length of your work term. Contact
the Insured Benefits Branch for more details.
If you are moving away from Manitoba permanently,
you must apply to Manitoba Health for an
out-of-province certificate. This will cover your
eligible health costs for the month in which you
move to a new location in Canada, plus two
additional months.
It is important that you contact the health
insurance plan in your new province or territory
and arrange for health coverage as soon as you
arrive, so your coverage is not interrupted.
If you are moving to live outside Canada permanently,
you may be eligible for coverage provided
you apply to Manitoba Health before you leave.
Manitoba Health will provide coverage for
eligible health costs for the month in which
you move, plus two additional months.
Apply to the Insured Benefits Branch for an out-of-province
certificate. Provide your six-digit Manitoba Health registration
number, your full name and birth date, the date you are leaving
and your new address. Manitoba Health will issue a certificate
confirming the expiry date of your coverage. For more details,
contact the Insured Benefits Branch.
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