Nova Scotia's Medical Services Insurance
Nova Scotia’s health insurance plan provides eligible residents with coverage for medically required hospital, medical, dental and optometric services with some restrictions. People visiting Nova Scotia are not eligible.
The medical services insurance programs (MSI) are administered by Maritime Medical Care Incorporated on behalf of the Nova Scotia government. The Hospital Insurance program is administered directly by the Department of Health. The cost of providing these services to Nova Scotians is met through the general revenues of the province. There are no premiums to be paid.
Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents moving to Nova Scotia from outside Canada become eligible for coverage on the date of arrival. In general, anyone who is a resident and is ordinarily present in Nova Scotia is eligible to receive insured services.
People from outside Canada establishing permanent residence in Nova Scotia may apply for coverage upon arrival. People relocating from another province are not eligible for MSI coverage until they have been in Nova Scotia for three months. During that time, they are still covered by their old provincial health plan.
Registering For MSI
You can either apply in person or call the office to register for Medical Services Insurance. Documentation of Citizenship or Permanent Residence (i.e., IMM 1000 or Permanent Resident card) is required when applying.
After the application has been approved, each member of your family will receive a Health Card. You must always provide your valid Health Card when seeking insured medical services. It is to be presented to the health care provider upon request.
Insured Dental Services
Children’s’ Oral Health Program
Insured coverage to the last day of the month of their 10th birthday. Not all services are covered.
Dental Surgical Program
Coverage limited to list of insured services. Not all services are covered. For more details, call toll free 1-888-846-9199.
Hospital Insurance
Hospital Insurance provides insurance for a wide range of medically necessary hospital in-patient and out-patient services to eligible residents of the province. Government Drug Plan: Pharmacare
Pharmacare is a government funded, optional, health care plan for seniors in Nova Scotia. It supplements the cost of prescription drugs and medication for seniors over the age of 65 who are not covered under another drug plan.
- Each year, the senior pays a premium of $390.00.
- When purchasing prescriptions, the senior pays 33% of the cost of the prescription to a maximum cost of $30.00.
- Once the senior has paid $350.00 for prescriptions for a given year, the government pays 100% of all remaining prescription costs until the end of the year.
Some people do not have to pay the premium or are eligible for a reduced premium amount. For more information, visit the Nova Scotia Pharmacare website.
Temporary Workers & Employment Authorization
People coming to Nova Scotia from outside the country who hold an Employment Authorization document can apply for coverage on their day of arrival in Nova Scotia, provided their Work Permit is valid for at least 12 months.
Coverage expires every year and must be applied for every year under the same rules as the first application.
International Students
People from outside the country who hold a Study Permit can apply for coverage the first day of the thirteenth month following the date of arrival in Nova Scotia as a student.
Coverage expires every year and must be applied for every year under the same rules as the first application.
Dependents of new residents are to be granted coverage on the same basis once the applicant has gained entitlement.
People on Work or Study Permits are eligible for insured services in Nova Scotia only. Services rendered while outside the province are the responsibility of the individual. Immigration documentation is required for the application.
When your application is approved, each member of your family will receive a Health Card with an expiry date, which must be presented whenever you require insured services. “Valid only in Nova Scotia” will be printed on Health Cards issued to persons who are not citizens or permanent residents.
Insured Optometric Services
Coverage for routine vision analysis to determine the need for glasses is limited to once every two years for children up to their 10th birthday, as well as those 65 years of age and over. For all others, routine vision analysis is not insured.