Healthcare coverage outside Canada: Health Card

You’re responsible to pay the difference between the charge for insured inpatient physician and hospital services and the amount the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program can pay using Nova Scotia rates in Canadian funds.

The current reimbursement rate for emergency inpatient services due to an accident or sudden illness is $525 (Canadian) per day, plus 50% of ancillary fees incurred during your inpatient hospital stay.

Services not covered

The following services received outside Canada are not payable under the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program:

• outpatient services or charges, including facility and hospital outpatient charges (excluding hemodialysis)
• x-ray, diagnostic tests and laboratory charges from outpatient, emergency or private facility
• pharmacare, dental and other excluded programs
• routine vision analysis
• ground or air medical transportation (like ambulance services)

Travel insurance

You should get medical travel insurance to avoid unexpected costs when you travel. Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program coverage while outside Canada is limited and applies only to inpatient medical emergencies due to an accident or sudden illness. Getting medical services in other countries can be expensive. Getting medical travel insurance helps protect you from healthcare costs.

Claims

Keep all official documents and receipts for any insured inpatient physician and hospital services you receive while travelling outside Canada and temporarily absent from Nova Scotia that were due to an accident or sudden illness (claims received after 6 months are not accepted). To make a claim, you need to submit the Outside of Canada Emergency Services Claim Form.

Appeals

If you don’t agree with a decision that MSI or Department of Health and Wellness makes for you, you can submit an appeal request in writing. You can also authorize someone to appeal a decision on your behalf.