Canada has a national health insurance coverage. However, there are fine details that differ from province to province.
In British Columbia (BC), the provincial health program is called the Medical Services Plan (MSP) which is administered by Health Insurance BC (HIBC).
MSP Medical Services included Generally:
- medically required services provided by a physician enrolled with MSP
- maternity care provided by a physician or midwife
- medically required eye examinations
- routine eye examinations are a benefit only for those 18 years of age and under and 65 years of age and over
- diagnostic services including x-ray and laboratory services provided by apprved diagnostic facilities when ordered by a registered physician, midwide, podiatrist, dental surgeon or oral surgeon
- orthodontic sercice related to severe congenital facial abnormalities
MSP Medical Services not included Generally:
- services that are deemed to be not medically required such as cosmetic surgery
- dental services other tha those outline under benefits
- routine eye examinations for person 19 to 64 years of age
- eyeglasses, hearing aids and other equipment or appliances
- prescription drugs
- chiropractic, massage theraphy, naturopathy, physical theraphy and non-surgical podiatry
- preventive services and screening tests not supported by evidentce of medical effectiveness
- services of counsellors or psychologists
- medical examinations, certificates or tests required for driving a motor vehicle, employment, life insurance, school or university, recreational and sporting activities and immigration purposes
In Ontario (ON), they have their own universal publicly funded health care system made available throught the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
OHIP Medical Services included Generally:
- all insured medically necessary services provided by physicians
- some dental surgery, when it is done in the hospital
- one eye examination a year for persons under 20 and those 65 and over
- one major eye exam once every 12 months for persons aged 20 to 64 who have medical conditions requiring regular eye examination
- transportation costs for some residents of northern Ontario who must travel long distances for specialty medical care
- emergency health services given in connection with an acute, unexpected condition, illness, disease or injury that arises outside Canada and requires immediate treatment
- services provided by podiatrists are partially covered
OHIP Medical Services not included Generally:
- cosmetic surgery
- regular dental services in a dentist’s office
- certain ambulance service
- you may need to pay the full or partial cost of services provided by other health care providers, such as physiotherapists.