Nowadays, private health insurance is a tricky thing. Even in Canada, which prides itself on its health care system and appropriate medical coverage for every citizen, there have been ongoing debates regarding the best approaches to providing care.
If you reside in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and have to visit the hospital or require medical support from any healthcare provider, you will need a PEI Health Card.
PEI (Prince Edward Island) health card is a covered insurance card that covers the citizens of Prince Edward Island (PEI). This health card was introduced in July 2010. It covers the cost of dental public health services, and hospital and physician services at no charge to residents of the province.
This guide provides information on the PEI Health Card, Program’s services, how to apply for a PEI health care card, and much more. So, let’s cut to the chase.
What is a PEI Health Card?
The Prince Edward Island government issued the PEI Health Card, which provides access to your province’s health care services. It’s simple, fast, and convenient.
If you have a PEI Health Card, you can use it to get medically necessary services covered by the provincial health plan. You’ll only have to pay what you would have if you didn’t have a PEI Health Card—no extra fees or costs!
Moreover, It is the official proof of your health insurance coverage under the Health PEI Insurance Plan. The PEI Health Card is a photo ID card that contains your name, birth date, sex, and expiry date.
The PEI Health Card can be used as proof of identity, age, and residency when you visit a licensed doctor, dentist, or pharmacist. It also allows you to claim prescription drug coverage from your pharmacy.
The purpose of the PEI Health Card is to ensure Islanders have access to the same level of health care regardless of their ability to pay for it. The goal is to ensure everyone has equal access to medical treatment within their home community.
Eligibility Requirement
To be eligible for a PEI Health Card, you must:
- You have legal residency status in Canada.
- Be a resident of Prince Edward Island (PEI) and have lived here for at least six months.
- You have been in PEI as an employed person, or as a spouse or dependent child of an employed person, for at least 12 months immediately before your application; or
- Be a student attending a post-secondary school in PEI for at least six months immediately before your application.
- If you can show that you plan to make Prince Edward your permanent home, you may do so.
Required Documents
The following required documents are needed to apply for a Pei Health Card:
- A completed application form
- Birth Certificate
- Citizens of Canada returning from abroad are required to submit a passport photocopy.
- A copy of your Health ID card if you already have one from your earlier province.
- A copy of your immigration document and proof is necessary in case you have a valid working visa.
- Students from other countries must provide documentation from their selected school and study visa.
- In case you have legal permanent residency in Canada, you need to provide proof of permanent residency, i.e. PR Card or PR residency documents.
Services Covered by PEI Health Card
The following is a list of some of the services the Prince Edward Island Health Card covers.
- most medical care and hospital stays
- First-line medical care
- Hospice services
- Assisting people in their homes
- Assistance with Addiction Issues
Drug Coverage
The PEI Health Card covers the cost of prescription drugs and other medications prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist. In the event of a senior citizen, however, drug prescription coverage is available if they meet financial requirements or have one of a few predetermined diseases.
This includes:
- Medicines for Mental Health Community Program
- Medications for HIV/AIDS
- Health Insurance Drug Benefit Program for Families
- Catastrophic Drug Program
- Financial Drug Assistance
- Generic Drug Program
- The Erythropoietin Treatment Plans
Student Coverage
PEI Health Card student coverage is available for students who are 18 years of age or older and enrolled in an educational institution on Prince Edward Island. Consider where your spouse or dependent children under 18 live with you during your studies. If so, you can include them with documentation, such as a
- Visitor’s visa
- Work permit,
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate.
Coverage When Travelling Inside & Outside of Province
PEI Health Card is a health care coverage plan that covers you when travelling inside and outside Canada. You can use the PEI Health Card when visiting family, friends, and loved ones or travelling on vacation. You can also use it if you go to another province or territory in Canada to visit a doctor or hospital.
If you want to be covered in case of an unexpected event, however, you’ll need to get your private insurance.
You may encounter one of the following scenarios outside the province.
- Travelling within Canada
- Travel outside of Canada
- International students
- Working off the island
- Travelling Within Canada
If you travel within Canada, you may be eligible for health coverage from your home province. However, if you leave the province for longer than one month or move out for an extended period, you should notify PEI Medicare.
This will ensure that your information is up-to-date and that you are not charged for any services received outside of PEI during your trip. Provide the following information:
- Date of departure and return
- Your name, address, and telephone number
- The name of your healthcare provider in PEI
- Your health card number
- Locations
- justification for being away
- Travel Outside of Canada
Your PEI Health Card covers travel outside of Canada. While travelling outside Canada, you will need to obtain travel health insurance to cover the cost of any medical care that you may need.
The PEI Health Card covers the cost of necessary medical services received by eligible residents (and their dependents) when travelling outside Canada for up to 12 months.
If you travel outside Canada for less than 12 months, you will still be eligible for coverage under the PEI Health Card, but you must submit your application within six months of returning to the province.
The Medicare program in Canada will cover most of your medical expenses in Canadian dollars, but you will be responsible for paying any remaining balance.
- Working Off the Island
Suppose you are a Prince Edward Islander working outside your home community. In that case, you must let the PEI health administration know to maintain your eligibility for PIT health coverage.
- Island Students
Island students are eligible for PEI Health Card coverage when travelling inside and outside the province.
Students from Prince Edward Island who attend a post-secondary institution in another province or territory are covered by their home province’s health insurance plan for any emergency medical care received while they are away.
This includes services generally provided by a physician, dentist, hospital, or other facility licensed to provide insured services in Prince Edward Island.
Provincial health services will still cover a student from Prince Edward Island if they require emergency health services being away from home.
Check Out How to Get the Health Card in Canada Totally Free / Health Card PEI:
Services Not Covered by PEI Health Card
PEI Health Card does not cover some services. These include:
- Dental care, including orthodontics (braces)
- Eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Hearing aids
- Drug prescriptions
- Ambulance Services
- Mental Health Services (counseling and therapy)
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Aids and appliances such as canes, crutches, and prosthetic limbs
- medical professionals’ services (Acupuncturists, chiropodists, Naturopaths, homeopaths, podiatrists, osteopaths, dentists, physiotherapists, optometrists, chiropractors, dietitians, audiologists; and others)
How to Apply for a PEI Health Card?
Right after you arrive in PEI, a person should apply for a health card to enjoy his medical services. You can submit your application for the card in person or online.
You will need to provide all necessary documents and proofs along with your application form in the health PEI office. A single application can cover everyone in the household, as each member needs a health card.
However, documents and requirements are different according to your situation and residence status. Have a look at different scenarios.
Permanent Residents
You must submit the complete documents(PR card) to prove you are a permanent resident.
Work Permit Holders
If you are working in PEI, you must provide the following:
- Valid Passport
- A current work permit allows the holder to work legally in Prince Edward Island for a minimum of 183 days.
International Students
In case you are an international student, you must provide these:
- Proof of Study Permit
- Evidence of registration at the designated school
Address To Mail Your Application
- PEI Medicare office
- 126 Douses Road
- PO Box 3000
- Montague, (PE C0A 1R0)
PEI Health Card Renewal/Replacement
The PEI Health Card is valid for 5 years from the date it was first issued, and you must renew it before it expires if you want to continue to receive benefits under the Health Insurance Plan of PEI.
If you fail to renew your PEI Health Card before it expires, your coverage will be suspended until you submit a new application and pay any applicable fees.
To renew your Health card, you must submit an application form and proper documents in case you want any changes in your card or related information.
Before submitting the card renewal application, ensure you have entered complete and accurate information in the form; otherwise, you may face any delay in processing the application.
In Case of Replacement: If your PEI Health Card has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement card online. An application fee of $10 per individual or $50 per household will be assessed for card replacement services.
You must print and upload a Request for a Replacement Health Card to replace your health card. After you have completed the form, you will need to send the fee for replacing the card in the form of a cheque or money order.
Changing the Address in the PEI Health Card
Contact PEI Medicare at their service number if you need to make any changes to the information on your card, including the address or any other details.
Service Number: 1-800-321-5492
FAQs
What Happens if You Can’t Pay Hospital Bill in Canada?
If you can’t pay your hospital bill in Canada, the hospital will send you a collection letter. The letter will state how much money is owed and when it needs to be paid. In the event that you fail to pay your hospital bill timely, the hospital may seek legal recourse. This means they may sue you for the amount due on the account.
With the condition that you have a problem paying your hospital bill, speak with the hospital administrator immediately.
Hospitals must help patients with financial problems by providing them with information on their rights and responsibilities. They may also be able to offer payment arrangements or other solutions that make sense for both parties.
How Long Do You Have to Live in Canada to get Free Healthcare?
It depends; if you’re a permanent resident of Canada, you’re eligible for free healthcare after 3 months of living in Canada. But suppose you’re a visitor or temporary resident. In that case, you’ll have to pay for your medical treatment until you become a permanent resident or until your work permit expires.
Canadians aren’t required to carry health insurance, but many do — about 60% of Canadians have some form of private insurance. In addition, most provinces offer universal health care coverage for their citizens regardless of age or pre-existing condition.
How much is Health Insurance a Month for a Single Person?
The average premium for an individual is $456 per month. That’s a little more than $5,300 per year. That includes both employer and employee contributions. The average family plan costs $1,160 per month or about $15,000 per year.
However, Health insurance is a monthly cost that can vary depending on your chosen plan, age, and even state. Moreover, the health insurance cost differs from person to person, depending on the type of plan they choose.
For example, if someone chooses a basic plan with no frills, their monthly rate would be lower than someone who wants to add some extras such as dental or prescription drug coverage onto their basic plan.
The more extra features people want to be added to their plans, the more expensive their monthly rates will become.
How much is Health Insurance a Month for a Single Person?
The average premium for an individual is $456 per month. That’s a little more than $5,300 per year. That includes both employer and employee contributions. The average family plan costs $1,160 per month or about $15,000 per year.
However, Health insurance is a monthly cost that can vary depending on your chosen plan, age, and even state. Moreover, the health insurance cost differs from person to person, depending on the type of plan they choose.
For example, if someone chooses a basic plan with no frills, their monthly rate would be lower than someone who wants to add some extras such as dental or prescription drug coverage onto their basic plan.
The more extra features people want to be added to their plans, the more expensive their monthly rates will become.
Why is PEI so Cheap?
PEI’s population is approximately 160,000, making it the third smallest province in Canada. This means that there are fewer people to pay for things like housing, healthcare, and education — which means less strain on your wallet when you visit.
PEI is also one of the cheapest places in Canada to buy a house. The average price of a home in PEI is only $200,000 — less than half the cost of homes in Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal.
The most crucial reason for PEI’s low costs is that the province has a small population. This means fewer people can pay for and support government services.
Another important reason is that the government does not have a large deficit, and PEI has been able to pay down its debt in recent years. This reduces interest payments and allows the government to spend more on interim federal health program and services that benefit Islanders.
Conclusion
The PEI Health Card is an excellent benefit for Canadian residents. It’s not only a way to get access to healthcare, but it also helps to reduce the cost of medical care by reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
The PEI Health Card provides coverage for various medical services and treatments. If you are planning on moving to Prince Edward Island or already living here and need to renew your card, make sure you understand what it covers.
We hope we’ve been able to help you understand the PEI health card, its coverage, and how to apply for it. If you have any questions or concerns about the process, feel free to reach us.