Nova Scotia

PROVINCIAL/ TERRITORIAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

Medical Insurance

Nova Scotia Health Plan

Hospital Insurance

under Nova Scotia Health Plan

Prescription Drug Insurance

Nova Scotia Pharmacare Program

HEALTH PREMIUMS/TAXES

Health Insurance Premiums/Employer Tax

No premiums or employer tax

Additional Premiums

Not applicable

WHEN COVERAGE BEGINS

If move is from within Canada

Coverage on the first day of the third month after arrival in Nova Scotia

If move is from outside Canada

Coverage on the date of arrival in Nova Scotia

HOW LONG COVERAGE CONTINUES

Moving within Canada

Balance of the month in which you leave the province plus two consecutive months

Moving Outside Canada

Date of departure

Short Absences

Coverage is maintained during an absence of up to 183 days in any 12 month period if Nova Scotia remains the permanent and principal home

OUT OF PROVINCE / COUNTRY COVERAGE

Out-of-province

Most medical services obtained within Canada can be billed by the attending physician to the host provincial plan.
Services must be insured by MSI;
Claims paid at the standard rates of the province/territory where services were obtained.

Cost of emergency in-patient / out-patient hospital while outside of Canada

Emergency services obtained outside Canada;
Payment at Nova Scotia rates;
For hospital coverage outside Canada, payment made at the average ward accommodation rate of the Halifax/Dartmouth hospitals in effect at the time that the services were received;
Not covered for Out-patient services received outside Canada.

WHAT IS COVERED

Physician Services

Medically required hospital, medical, dental and optometric services with some restrictions

Eye Examinations

Coverage for children up to their 10th birthday, or age 65 and over:

• Routine vision analysis once every two years

Dental

Certain medically necessary surgical-dental procedures which are performed in hospital by a dentist or oral surgeon

Hospital

Standard ward hospitalization in an approved hospital and in-patient services such as:

• Accommodation and meals at the standard ward level
• Nursing services
• All labratory, x-ray and diagnostic procedures

PARAMEDICAL SERVICES

Physiotherapy Services

Physiotherapy services provided at a hospital, on an inpatient or outpatient basis within Canada

Chiropractic Care

Not covered

Osteopath

Not covered

Chiropodist/podiatrist

Not covered

Drug

Nova Scotia Pharmacare Programs - programs and funding (commonly referred to as Pharmacare) include:

• The Seniors' Pharmacare Program
• The Community Services Pharmacare Programs
• Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients
• Multiple Sclerosis drug funding

Pharmacare pays for drugs and supplies listed as benefits in the Nova Scotia Formulary. Drugs and supplies must be prescribed by a doctor, dentist, authorized optometrist, or authorized nurse practitioner and you must have the prescription filled by a Nova Scotia pharmacy, to be paid for by Pharmacare.

• Seniors pay a yearly premium and co-payment for prescribed drugs
• Premium is $424 a year
• Co-payment is 33% of the total prescription cost to a maximum of $30 for each prescription with an annual maximum of $382
• Minimum co-payment of $3.00 per prescription
• Once $382 co-payments paid, Pharmacare covers prescriptions at 100%
• Fiscal year for co-payments is April 1 to March 31st
• Pharmacare pays for drugs and supplies listed as benefits in the Nova Scotia Formulary
• Drugs and supplies must be prescribed by a doctor, dentist, authorized optometrist, or authorized nurse practitioner and must have the prescription filled by a Nova Scotia pharmacy
• Some exceptions apply
• Programs also available for income assistance recipients, cancer and multiple sclerosis patients

Low-income seniors who do not receive the GIS may qualify for reduced Pharmacare premiums if:

• You are single, and your income is < $24,000 per year
• You are married, and your combined income is < $28,000

Ambulance

Co-payment for cost of an ambulance transport:

• Regular transfers - $120 for Nova Scotia residents
• Transportation for motor vehicle accidents, work related injuries and for Non-Nova Scotian's - fee is $600

Any cost for ambulance services outside Nova Scotia are patient's responsibility.