A Guide to New Brunswick Medicare Health Plan (MCP)

Just like Canadian citizens from other provinces, New Brunswick residents cherish the Canadian publicly funded health care plan. The Canada Health Act is the principal federal legislation which aims to ensure that every citizen in Canada has access to basic health care services. The New Brunswick government leads the way with the New Brunswick Health Plan when it comes to delivering basic health care services to its residents.

Unfortunately, New Brunswickers feel like their healthcare needs aren’t met. The provincial health has many systemic challenges and numerous gaps that prevent it from improving the health of New Brunswick residents. According to a poll conducted by the NBMS (New Brunswick Medical Society), more than 44,000 residents don’t have a family doctor. Many of them who don’t have family doctors face lengthy wait times before being able to see one.

Right now, the government is working on a new system that would provide access to primary care to patients without a nurse practitioner or family doctor. Residents without a medical provider can register with Patient Connect NB. They will be assigned a provider on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Read on to learn more about NB Medicare Health Plan, the eligibility requirements, ways to obtain a health care card, and understand why additional health and dental coverage is important. If you are a permanent resident of New Brunswick, you should know how to take advantage of the provincial healthcare benefits.

Free Healthcare Coverage in New Brunswick

New Brunswick’s provincial government health plan is called Medicare, and it is designed to provide coverage for its resident’s basic health care services. To be eligible to apply, you must be a citizen of Canada or legally entitled to remain in the country, and make the province of New Brunswick your home.

The Medicare provincial health care plan offers a handful of services and the New Brunswick government has been reducing the number of covered services each year. If you need health services that are not covered by the Medicare health plan, you are responsible for paying the bill. That could have a significant negative impact on your finances because health care costs are steadily increasing. In case of accidents or unexpected illnesses, this could have a disastrous impact on your financial security.

To get the financial protection you need, reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, and have your peace of mind, it is recommended that you opt for an additional health insurance from a private insurance company to cover medical services needed at low cost rates.

Coverage

Every New Brunswicker is entitled to universal, basic and government-funded health care. Medicare health coverage covers most medically required services such as critical illness or emergencies, while many New Brunswick employers offer additional health coverage to their employees.

Once you become a registered New Brunswick health cardholder, the NB Medicare program will pay for the following health services:

• Most health services provided by a physician in a hospital (if medically required such as a critical illness) or in a physician’s office.
• Certain dental procedures when the service is medically required and performed in a hospital. Dental work and extractions performed in a hospital are not covered, but in some circumstances, the anesthesia may be covered.
• Medical practitioners can either bill you directly or bill Medicare.
• Emergency medical services received while travelling outside Canada are covered only if pre-approved. When travelling, please consider travel insurance.
• Drugs administered (while in a hospital) through the New Brunswick Drug Plan
• Required nursing services.
• Standard hospital room and meals.
• Diagnostic services (e.g., laboratory services, X-rays, etc.)
• Routine surgical supplies administered in hospitals.
• Radiotherapy.
• Delivery room services, anesthetic facilities, and operating room.
• Therapies provided while in a hospital (e.g., occupational therapists, audiologists, speech therapists, and physiotherapists).
• Substance abuse treatment (addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling, and other).
• Accidental death and dismemberment

The following medical costs are not covered by NB Medicare or hospital services: