The provincial public health insurance in Saskatchewan, known as Saskatchewan Health Coverage (SHC), provides residents with free access to basic medical services such as doctor visits, hospital stays, necessary surgeries, and certain diagnostic services.
Eligible individuals include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, accepted refugees, and holders of valid work or study permits for at least six months who are residing in Saskatchewan. Tourists, temporary visitors, and short-term students are not eligible for this coverage.
Registration in this program is mandatory, and once approved, a Saskatchewan Health Card is issued. Services Provided by the Saskatchewan Health Coverage (SHC) include:
Prescription Drugs
- Seniors (65 and older): Pay a maximum of $25 per prescription for medications listed on the Saskatchewan formulary. Eligibility is based on age and annual net income.
- Children (14 and under): Automatically eligible for the Children’s Drug Plan. Families pay only $25 per prescription for drugs listed on the formulary.
Ambulance Services
- No coverage for ground ambulance services for residents under age 65.
Dental Benefits
- No coverage for routine dental care.
- Coverage for certain oral surgeries that are medically required to treat conditions resulting from accidents, infections, or congenital defects.
- Coverage for orthodontic services related to cleft palate, if referred by a physician or dentist.
- Coverage for tooth extractions when medically necessary prior to specific surgeries related to heart disease, head or neck cancer, chronic kidney disease, full joint replacement with prosthesis, stem cell transplants, or certain cancer treatments—as long as they are recommended by a radiation oncologist and a dentist.
- Additional support may be available under the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
Eye Care Services
- No coverage for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
- One eye exam per year covered for residents under 18 and over 64.
Hospital Services
- Coverage includes standard ward rooms in public hospitals.
Paramedical Services
- Coverage includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy in hospitals, special care homes, community agencies, and approved private clinics.
- Partial coverage for podiatrist services.
- No coverage for massage therapy, naturopathic, or osteopathic services.
Hearing Aids
- Coverage includes audiology services, hearing aids, and certain supplies from approved providers. Prior approval from the Ministry of Health is usually required.
- Supplementary coverage may help replace lost or broken hearing aids.
- Clients over age 20 may pay a 30% co-payment for replacements.
Nursing and Home Care Services
- Coverage for: case management, home nursing, physical and occupational therapy.
- Partial coverage for: homemaking, meals, and home maintenance.
Medical Supplies
- Some coverage under the Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living (SAIL) program for long-term physical disabilities.
Out-of-Country Coverage
- Emergency in-patient services: Up to $100 per day.
- Out-patient hospital visits: Up to $50 per visit, with a limit of two visits per day.
- Emergency physician services: Paid at Saskatchewan rates for eligible services.
However, it’s important to note that Saskatchewan Health Coverage (SHC) does not cover all health-related expenses. Another major drawback of the public healthcare system is the long wait times for certain procedures, especially non-emergency surgeries. As a result, many patients are forced to turn to private options or use complementary insurance that allows for quicker access to specialists and healthcare services.
In such cases, having a valid complementary insurance policy tailored to your personal or family health needs not only brings greater peace of mind but also provides crucial financial support when facing unexpected medical costs or specialized care.
At Rahimian Insurance, we rely on our specialized knowledge in the insurance field and years of experience in the Canadian market to carefully assess your situation and offer the most suitable options with the clearest terms. All you need to do is to complete and submit the form below.
