Health Card
You need to apply for a Health Card to be covered for insured healthcare services through the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program and other insured programs.
When you apply for a Health Card, you need to provide supporting documents that prove you’re legally entitled to remain in Canada and your current civic address.
You need to renew your Health Card before it expires. You can renew anytime in the 3 months before the card expires.
You need to notify the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program if there are any changes to your personal information.
Address consent and dependant primary contact
Authorize your spouse or common-law partner to update your address.
Change the primary contact for your dependants who are 18 or younger. Dependants who are 18 or younger need to have 1 adult in their family registered as the dependant primary contact for their Health Card.
Dependants who are 18 or younger need to have 1 adult in their family registered as the dependant primary contact for their Health Card.
Withdraw your address consent for your spouse or common-law partner to update your address.
Program overview
Overview of Nova Scotia’s Health Card and insured healthcare services through the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program and other insured programs.
Eligibility
Find out if you or your dependants are eligible to apply for a Health Card to get insured healthcare services through the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program and other insured programs.
Insured healthcare services covered
Insured healthcare services covered by the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program (and other insured programs) and what services are not covered.
Moving and travel
What happens to your insured healthcare services through the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program when you move away from Nova Scotia.
When you move to Nova Scotia from another province, territory or country, there may be a waiting period before you become eligible for coverage under the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program.
Healthcare coverage by the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program outside of Canada and how to make a claim.
Healthcare coverage by the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program within Canada and how to make a claim.
How temporary absence from Nova Scotia affects your healthcare coverage through the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program.
Pre-approval
Healthcare providers who need to refer a patient for medical services outside of Nova Scotia can apply for pre-approval.
If you’re referred for medical services outside of Nova Scotia, you need to have written pre-approval to be covered by the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program.
Cost assistance
The Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Cost Assistance Program helps residents who need to travel outside of Nova Scotia for pre-approved medically necessary services.
Claims
If you’re applying for reimbursement for any insured healthcare services (covered by the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program) you receive while travelling within Canada, you need to submit the Within Canada Services Claim Form.
If you’re applying for reimbursement for any insured inpatient physician and hospital services (covered by the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program) you receive while travelling outside Canada due to an accident or sudden illness, you need to submit the Outside of Canada Emergency Services Claim Form.
Appeals
How to appeal a decision that the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program, MSI or Department of Health and Wellness makes about your insured healthcare coverage, claims for insured services and program eligibility.
Forms and documents
Collection of forms and documents for the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program.
