Renew your Health Card

Renewal notice

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you should get a renewal notice 3 months before the renewal date. It’s your responsibility to renew on time.

If you’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you’re responsible to contact MSI Resident Services to update your information and meet the eligibility requirements for Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program coverage. You must provide your valid immigration documents and renew your Declaration (if applicable), before the expiry date shown on your Health Card to avoid a gap in coverage.

Organ and tissue donation

When you renew your Health Card, you can also register or change your decision to donate your organs and tissues after death. If you’re 15 or younger, your parent or legal guardian needs to complete the registration for you.

If your Health Card has expired

If your Health Card has been expired for more than 12 months, you need to contact MSI Resident Services to renew your card.

Coverage

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, your coverage doesn’t end when your Health Card expires, but your healthcare provider may ask you to renew your card or pay for the service before receiving an insured service. You need to make a claim to get reimbursed after you complete your renewal.

If you’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, your coverage ends on the expiry date shown on your card. Your coverage may end sooner if you no longer meet the requirements for residency in Nova Scotia or your immigration documents have expired. You may be eligible for extended coverage if you apply for a new permit before your most recent permit expires and are waiting for a decision from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (contact MSI Resident Services to learn more).

Who can use this form

You can renew your Health Card if:

• you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• you already have a Health Card
• your Health Card expires within the next 3 months or hasn’t been expired for more than 12 months
• you’re a resident of Nova Scotia and make your primary home in Nova Scotia

What you need to do

1. Complete the renewal form online.
2. Submit your completed form.
3. MSI Resident Services sends you your Health Card.

How long it takes

It should take 6 weeks to get your Health Card in the mail (your new expiry date is displayed on the front of your Health Card). It can take longer if more information is needed or if your form hasn’t been filled in correctly.

Cost

There is no cost to renew your Health Card.

Online

When you submit the form online you need to create an account or sign in.

Start now

Other ways to submit the form

You can use the Health Card Renewal Form (PDF 181 kB) if you’re unable to complete the form online (or use the renewal form you receive in the mail). Send your completed form by mail or fax. Or drop it off at MSI Resident Services (use the secure drop box; in-person service isn’t available).

If you use the PDF to renew your Health Card, make sure you have your Health Card number and a parent or legal guardian available to sign the form if you’re 15 or younger.

You can also submit the form online by uploading the PDF.