Health Insurance and Health Card

It is very important that you apply for your Government Health Insurance as soon as possible so that your health insurance coverage will be effective after 90 days of your arrival in Canada. Meanwhile you need to purchase private insurance for the first 90 days and you can call Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. at 1-800-268-8099 for a list of private insurance providers or check the following companies for your needs. Most insurance companies require applications within 5 days of arrival.

Canada Life Assurance company :1-800-680-3837
Commercial Union Life Asssurance Company of Canada: 1-800-387-4770
Journeyman Travel Protection: 1-888-256-8763
Liberty House: 1-800-268-3763
Check with your local Provincial Government Health Offices for full details on what you need to apply for your Health Insurance. Generally, you need the following as a minimum to apply for your Government Health Insurance.
Your SIN card
Your passport and immigration papers
Proof of your residential address
You can provide your bank account statement with your address shown or a lease agreement with your landlord as a proof of address.
You need to apply for Health Insurance for all your family members. After 90 days, you will receive your Health Card. You need to produce this card whenever you visit a Doctor. Other wise, you may be required to pay for the service. The Health card covers basic health care excluding dental coverage. Prescription drugs are not covered except for senior citizens and the people on welfare. Usually the employer covers the insurance for the drugs.

You can get list of offices on this official website http://www.gov.on.ca/health/