SASKATCHEWAN HEALTH BENEFITS (SK HB) Overview Updated: October 30, 2014
Eligibility If you make your home in Saskatchewan and you ordinarily live in the province at least six months a year, you are eligible for Saskatchewan Health benefits. Everyone must be registered with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health to be eligible for benefits. You may complete the application for yourself, your spouse/partner and all dependants under 18 years old living with you in Saskatchewan. New Saskatchewan residents are people who have relocated to Saskatchewan from another Canadian province/territory or from outside Canada, such as foreign nationals, international students and returning Canadians. Saskatchewan Health covers health services for certain special classes of newcomers from outside Canada who move to Saskatchewan on or before the first day of the third calendar month after arriving in Canada. If you are among the groups identified below, you may be eligible for benefits from the day you move to Saskatchewan. non-immigrants who are in Canada in connection with their trade or profession International students Foreign Students Study Permit (Confirmation of full-time enrollment is required) Temporary workers/extended work permits Supporting documents must accompany your application for a Saskatchewan health services card whether you apply on line or use the paper application form. Each adult included on the application must include copies (front & back if applicable) of documents proving: Saskatchewan Residency Each dependant must provide documents proving: Foreign Nationals (Canadian Entry document such as) Study Permit (Confirmation of full-time enrollment is required) Work Permit Foreign Passport with Immigration Stamp Temporary Resident Permit ***The same document may NOT be used to satisfy more than one requirement. Dependents and Spouse You may complete the application for yourself, your spouse/partner and all dependants under 18 years old living with you in Saskatchewan.
Wait period Special Classes of Newcomers Saskatchewan Health covers health services for certain special classes of newcomers from outside Canada who move to Saskatchewan on or before the first day of the third calendar month after arriving in Canada. If you are among the groups identified below, you may be eligible for benefits from the day you move to Saskatchewan. Permanent residents (landed immigrants) People discharged from the Canadian Forces Non-immigrants who are in Canada in connection with their trade or profession International students Returning spouses of Canadian Forces members Returning Canadian citizens Returning residents Coverage during wait period New residents from other parts of Canada should maintain coverage with their former medical plan during the wait period. New or returning residents arriving from outside Canada should contact a private insurance company (Cowan) for coverage during this period. Documents (photocopies) required with application Supporting documents must accompany your application for a Saskatchewan health services card whether you apply on line or use the paper application form. Each adult included on the application must include copies (front & back if applicable) of documents proving: Saskatchewan Residency Each dependant must provide documents proving: ***The same document may NOT be used to satisfy more than one requirement. For a complete list of acceptable documents view: http://www.ehealthsask.ca/healthregistries/pages/health-card-supporting-doc.aspx Adding and removing dependents For information and links to update Health Card information please visit: http://www.ehealthsask.ca/healthregistries/pages/update-info.aspx Where to Register Apply online at http://www.ehealthsask.ca/healthregistries/pages/apply-for-health-card.aspx Mailing address: ehealth Saskatchewan, Health Registries, 2130 11th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 0J5 How to enrol All new Saskatchewan residents living in the province may complete and submit their application online. See above link. You can also register by completing the Saskatchewan Health Services Card Application form and mail it with your supporting documentation to Health Registries (address shown under Where to Register and General Enquiries and Contact Information).
Changes that affect your coverage New residents from other parts of Canada should maintain coverage with their former medical plan during the wait period. New or returning residents arriving from outside Canada should contact a private insurance company (Cowan) for coverage during this period. Cancelling your coverage -absences from country You are required to notify Health Registries when you will be on an extended absence of more than six months. What is covered? All medically necessary services provided by physicians (inpatient and outpatient services). Physiotherapy or occupational therapy - Services provided through hospitals, special care homes, community agencies or by private clinics in Saskatchewan that have a contract with the health districts. Screening mammography for women aged 50 to 69 - These services are covered through facilities of the Provincial Screening Program for Breast Cancer. If your physician sends you elsewhere to diagnose a condition, Saskatchewan Health continues to cover your service. Immunization services - Immunizations for children are offered at health clinics and schools. Influenza vaccine is available every year for all Saskatchewan residents 6 months of age and older. Sexually transmitted infections (STI) treatment - Approved treatment medications from STI clinics (Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert) and physicians are provided without cost to patients. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Testing - HIV antibody testing can be done through a private physician, STI clinic or HIV anonymous testing clinic. STD clinics and anonymous HIV testing clinics are located in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Anonymous testing clinics do not require that clients give their identity. The testing is without cost to patients. Services for treating alcohol and drug abuse problems - Services provided to individuals and families affected by alcohol and drug abuse through the local health region and the Metis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Incorporated. Mental health services - Services provided through the local health region for the treatment of mental health problems and mental disorders. Problem gambling services - Services provided through the local health region to individuals and families for the treatment of problem gambling. Supplementary health services - This program provides select additional health services to people recommended by Social Services. Under this program, Saskatchewan Health covers certain dental services, prescription drugs, medical supplies and appliances, optical services, podiatry (chiropody) services, chiropractic services up to 12 treatments a year, and emergency medical transportation costs. Saskatchewan Health mails a letter to you if you are assessed by Social Services as being eligible to receive these benefits. Family health benefits - Select additional health services are provided to lower income working families eligible for benefits in association with provincial income support programs. Benefits are targeted at children under 18 years of age and are the same as those provided under the Supplementary Health Program. Some restrictions apply in adult benefits. Dental implants - Dental implants are covered in exceptional situations where no other method of treatment is appropriate. Coverage will be limited to medical circumstances of tumours (benign and malignant) and congenital defects (cleft palate and metabolic disorders). Coverage will require a specialist in oral maxillofacial surgery to request prior approval from Medical Services, Saskatchewan Ministry of Health. This requires the specialist to submit in writing, information and rationale to support the request. Coverage is limited to the initial cost related to the provision of dental implants and does not extend to ongoing maintenance costs. Dental implants for trauma, post-surgical temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), or cosmetic purposes will not be covered.
When to use your card You must show your Saskatchewan Health Services Card when you visit a doctor, seek other treatment covered by Saskatchewan Health and get prescription medication. No one else can use your card. Your Health Services Card has your name, health number and birth date on it. It is important to keep it safe. A Saskatchewan Health Services card is a valuable personal identification card, which you should be prepared to present whenever you need health services and for no other reason. Always carry your Saskatchewan Health Services card and present it when receiving health services. How to replace a lost card If you lose your card, you will need to tell Saskatchewan Health Registration immediately and ask for a new card. You can obtain a card by calling this free phone number from anywhere in Saskatchewan: 1-800-667-7551. General Enquiries Contact information Health Registries 2130 11th Avenue Regina, SK S4P 0J5 Toll free: 1-800-667-7551 (Canada and US) Phone: 306-787-3251 (Regina area) Fax: 306-787-8951 Email: change@ehealthsask.ca Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) Websites http://www.ehealthsask.ca/pages/default.aspx http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/subjects/cards/health_card.shtml Provincial forms http://www.ehealthsask.ca/healthregistries/pages/apply-for-health-card.aspx The information posted in this document has been prepared for convenience of reference only. While the information posted on this site is believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of posting, Cowan does not guarantee, represent or warrant that the information contained on this site will be accurate, complete, error-free or current at all times. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, however new information is received on a frequent basis and all changes may not be included in the results. The use of this site shall be entirely at your risk. Cowan Insurance Group, their officers, directors, employees or agents thereof, as well as any person associated with the creation and maintenance of this site or its contents will not be responsible in any manner for any harm, loss or damage, however caused, arising out of your use of this site, including direct, indirect, special, third party or consequential damages. We will not be responsible for any detrimental reliance that you may place upon the site or its contents. This site contains information that may be accessed from other sites which sites are not maintained or controlled in any way by Cowan. Cowan does not control and is not responsible for any of these sites or their content, and as a result such information is not to be construed as an endorsement by Cowan or any other party of the products, services, advice or opinions or any other content of such sites. You are fully responsible for any use that you make of the content contained and you are solely responsible for the consequences of any use of or reliance on such content. The information provided is for convenience only.