Applying for Medicare Coverage

If you are new or returning to New Brunswick, you may apply to obtain Medicare coverage.  A completed Medicare Application (see Forms section) must be submitted for eligibility consideration upon completing your permanent move to New Brunswick.  Please complete and submit your Online Medicare Application.  If you are unable to complete your application online, please complete the PDF version which can be mailed or emailed directly to Medicare (refer to Contacts) or delivered in person to a Service New Brunswick office.

A separate application for registration must be completed for any child nineteen (19) years of age and older. If you are completing this form on behalf of an individual (not a dependant), who is nineteen (19) years of age and older, a copy of Power of Attorney documents must be provided.

Proof of Canadian citizenship or a copy of all Canadian Immigration identification records and last entry stamp on passports (if applicable) must accompany your request as well as proof of identity and proof of residency in New Brunswick. It is important to note, not all Canadian Immigration documents are acceptable for Medicare eligibility requirements. (Please refer to Required Documentation for your Medicare)

If you are in Canada as a Temporary Foreign Worker with an expired work permit and are in maintained status, and your Medicare coverage has expired, please provide a copy of the Acknowledgement of Receipt letter you received from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showing your name, the date your application was received and the date until which you are authorized to continue working to [email protected].  If found eligible, your coverage may be extended by six months retroactively to the date your previous IRCC document(s) expired. A letter to this effect will be sent to you once your documents are assessed. 

For individuals experiencing delays with the renewal of other immigration documents through IRCC, New Brunswick Medicare is offering a one-time coverage extension. If your Medicare coverage has expired, please provide the confirmation you received from IRCC showing your name and the date your application was received to [email protected]. If found eligible, your coverage may be extended by six months retroactively to the date your previous IRCC document(s) expired. A letter to this effect will be sent to you once your documents are assessed. 

Applications are assessed on an individual basis and other documents and information may be requested to verify eligibility. 

Moving from within Canada

If you have moved to New Brunswick from within Canada, you may be eligible for New Brunswick Medicare coverage on the first day of the third month following the month you have established permanent residence in New Brunswick. For example, if you moved to New Brunswick on July 20, the month of July will count as the first month, with August and September as the following two. In this case, coverage would begin October 1.

The three-month waiting period is legislated under New Brunswick's Medical Services Payment Act.

Moving from outside Canada

Medicare must be satisfied that an individual does not have or does not intend to maintain permanent resident status in any other country prior to receiving New Brunswick Health coverage.

The individual must provide a photocopy of the Immigration document that allowed them to reside, work and/or study in another country, e.g.: Permanent Resident Card, Work Permit, Study Permit, Naturalization Certificate, Commuter Card, Foreign Passport, etc.

Individuals can choose from:

Option A

Relinquish alien status and provide an official document to that effect (i.e. US Form I-407);

OR

Option B

Provide an annual Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) Travel History Report showing that they have met the New Brunswick residency requirements during the previous twelve (12) months. Should the CBSA Travel History Report not be provided and/or residency requirements not be met, Medicare coverage will be terminated.

In the event where Medicare coverage was previously granted but terminated for non-compliance, Option B will be invalidated.

Once a completed application form is received and eligibility is established, a letter indicating the actual start date of your New Brunswick Medicare coverage is issued and followed by a New Brunswick Medicare card.

As of June 17, 2010, Newcomers and Canadian Citizens moving and/or returning to New Brunswick after living in another country may be entitled to Medicare coverage from their first day of arrival in the province provided they meet the eligibility requirements and are deemed by the Director to have established a permanent residence in New Brunswick.  Only when an applicant has physically moved to New Brunswick can an application for registration be submitted.  All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis; additional information and/or documents may be required upon review. 

NOTE:  If you have moved to New Brunswick from another Canadian province or territory, it is recommended that you contact your former place of residence to ensure continuous coverage during the three month waiting period.

Students from another province are not eligible for New Brunswick Medicare coverage.  Students from outside the province of New Brunswick should consult their provincial Medicare plan for information regarding coverage for hospital and physician services outside their home province.

International students who meet the eligibility criteria can receive New Brunswick Medicare coverage.  

Q What educational institutions are applicable under this policy?

A Post-Secondary – university, community college and private institutions as determined by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour. 

The list of designated learning institutions can be consulted here.

Q Who IS eligible for New Brunswick Medicare?

A Under-graduate, graduate students, diploma and certificate students, with a valid Canada Immigration Document, in full-time attendance studies as defined by the approved educational institution for the full scholastic year.

Spouses and dependents are eligible for New Brunswick Medicare coverage, under this program, if they live with the student and possess their own valid immigration document for the same period of time as the eligible international student.

Q Who is NOT eligible for New Brunswick Medicare?

A Exchange students are not eligible for New Brunswick Medicare.

Students enrolled in part time studies are not eligible for New Brunswick Medicare. 

International students who are residing in New Brunswick, but are completing online studies through a learning institution outside of New Brunswick.

Graduate students who are employed by the approved educational institution during their studies and covered under a post graduate permit are not eligible for coverage under this program but may be eligible under their work permit.

New Brunswick Medicare does not cover certain non-insured services as outlined in the Medical Services Payment Act, Schedule 2.  Students are encouraged to discuss, with their educational institution, coverage for services that are not provided by New Brunswick Medicare.

Q  What is a full scholastic year?

A A full scholastic year for New Brunswick Medicare purposes is, at least, from September to April.

Q What do I need to do to get registered?

A Each international student who wishes to have New Brunswick Medicare coverage must submit the following information/documentation along with a completed application:

• their valid Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) study permit, and
  
• student’s  arrival date into the province, as well as the arrival date of his/her dependents;
• Completion of New Brunswick Medicare Application form.
• Proof of enrollment as a full time post-secondary student in New Brunswick such as a copy of confirmation of enrollment from the educational institution stating program start date and end date (e.g.  September 5, 2017 to April 21, 2020).
• Valid immigration document for the full scholastic year for student and dependents.
• Proof of Residency (must display applicant’s name and the address provided to New Brunswick Medicare.
• Copy of passport and last entry date stamp to Canada.

NOTE: New Brunswick Medicare reserves the right to adjust eligibility based on the aforementioned documents.

Q How do I renew my Medicare coverage?

A The student will need to provide their valid Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) study permit as well as Proof of enrollment as a full time post-secondary student in New Brunswick such as a copy of confirmation of enrollment from the educational institution stating program start date and end date (e.g. September 5, 2017 to April 21, 2020).

Q What happens if I don’t provide a valid immigration document after my previous permit has expired?

A Coverage for the student will cease on the date of expiry of the study document. Eligibility for the dependents will also cease on the date of expiry of the document held by the student. It is the responsibility of the student and dependents to ensure that copies of the renewed permit(s) are provided to New Brunswick Medicare as soon as they become available. If your coverage is terminated and you require medical services, you will be responsible for paying for these services.  When you submit your new permit to New Brunswick Medicare and eligibility has been determined, you may submit any original receipts to New Brunswick Medicare for consideration of reimbursement provided the eligible services fall within the dates of coverage. New Brunswick Medicare will only reimburse at the current New Brunswick Medicare rates.  Should the international student be charged international rates for the service, it will be the responsibility of student to pay the difference.

Q When do I become eligible for New Brunswick Medicare coverage?

A The effective date for coverage will be determined based on all the documentation provided.

New Brunswick Medicare cards and other correspondence will be mailed to the international student’s mailing address.  Please ensure that you have provided the correct mailing address and advise New Brunswick Medicare of any change of address.  This may be done by calling Service New Brunswick Tele-Services (SNB) 1-888-762-8600 or the nearest Service New Brunswick Service Centre.  Returned correspondence will result in termination of your New Brunswick Medicare card.

Q Can I leave the province to visit another province?

A New Brunswick Medicare policies, with respect to out of province and out of country travel are applicable to all eligible New Brunswick beneficiaries and dependents.

Q Do I need private insurance if I travel outside of New Brunswick?

A If you plan on leaving New Brunswick while you are covered as an international student, you should consider having private insurance to cover the items that would not be covered by New Brunswick Medicare (similar to any resident of New Brunswick), such as ambulance fees, drugs, etc.  We suggest you contact your educational institution for more information.

Q Do I need private insurance if I travel outside of Canada?

A You are not covered by New Brunswick Medicare during your absence.  You should insure that your private insurance covers you while you are outside of Canada.  We suggest you contact your educational institution for more information.

Q What happens if the student quits the approved educational institution (stops studying)?

A New Brunswick Medicare coverage terminates based on either Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) study permit/document dates or the date of termination of studies, whichever comes first.  The international student must inform New Brunswick Medicare if this situation arises.  If the student obtains a different permit (e.g. work permit) the student must submit it to New Brunswick Medicare for consideration.  Eligibility for dependents would cease in absence of a separate eligible immigration permit(s)/document(s).

Should an international student be required to take a leave of absence from school due to a birth of a child, the coverage for the student would continue as long as the student continues to hold a valid immigration document and the child would receive coverage as well.

Should the international student not be able to complete the semester or full scholastic year due to an issue which is outside their control, the student must contact New Brunswick Medicare immediately and to have their case reviewed.

Q What happens if a student needs additional studies to complete his/her schooling?

A At the end of enrollment should the student find him/herself needing additional courses to complete their studies, the student needs to contact New Brunswick Medicare immediately to have their file reviewed.

Q What happens if an international student changes from full-time to part-time and then back to full-time?

A The student should contact New Brunswick Medicare immediately.

Q What happens if an international student changes educational institutions during their period of study?

1. If the student changes to another approved educational institution within New Brunswick, proof of enrolment from the new approved educational institute is required (proof of transfer documentation).
2. If the student leaves New Brunswick for an educational institute in another province, eligibility would cease on the first day of the third month of leaving New Brunswick.  Eligibility for dependents would cease at the same time as the student.
3. If the student leaves New Brunswick for an educational institute in another country, eligibility would cease immediately. Eligibility for dependents would also cease immediately.

Q Where can I get medical attention?

A Your first stop should be the medical clinic at your approved educational institute, if available. There are multiple walk-in clinics.  Emergency rooms are for emergency services and should not be used for services such as the common cold, flu or convenience.

Q Can others enquire about my Medicare coverage on my behalf?

A Due to our Privacy Legislation, Medicare is not permitted to speak to anyone other than the applicant unless the Authorization To Release Confidential Information form is completed. 

Q When am I required to contact New Brunswick Medicare?

A International students are required to contact New Brunswick Medicare regarding the following:

1. Mailing and/or physical address change
2. Studies terminate
3. Change in educational institutions
4. Absences from New Brunswick greater than 30 days
5. Immigration documentation renewal.
6. Proof of enrolment documents

DO NOT submit a second New Brunswick Application form when submitting Immigration documentation renewal or supporting documentation.

Do indicate the Medicare number (if known) and/or name and date of birth on all documentation.

You can contact New Brunswick Medicare at 1-888-762-8600 or go to the nearest Service New Brunswick (SNB) office.

The spouse or dependent of a regular member of the Canadian Armed Forces who has entered the province from another Canadian province or territory are entitled to first-day coverage providing they have established residence in the province of New Brunswick.

To register your newborn, you may contact SNB Tele Services at 1-888-762-8600 or visit your nearest Service New Brunswick office.  Please be prepared to provide the following information: 

• full name of child;
• date of birth;
• gender;
• your Medicare number; and.
• In the case of multiple births, you must indicate which baby was born first – twin A, second – twin B, etc )

A ‘Newborn Registration’ form is generally provided to you while in the hospital and forwarded to New Brunswick Medicare directly.  Once the form is received and if no additional information is required, your baby will be registered and a card will be mailed out.

Babies born in New Brunswick to non-eligible New Brunswick residents may be eligible for coverage under the New Brunswick Medicare Payment plan, on the first day of the fourth month provided New Brunswick residency has been established and the child remains in New Brunswick.

To register your adopted child, it is necessary to complete the required form and mail it to Medicare directly or deliver it in person to a Service New Brunswick office along with the following documents:

If you have adopted a child from within New Brunswick:

• Change request form
• Proof of adoption i.e.:
    - Final Adoption Order (required);
  
• Birth certificate (required);
• Name of social worker (if applicable);
• Adoptive parents identifying information.

If you have adopted a child from within Canada:

• Application for registration
• Proof of adoption i.e.:
    - Final Adoption Order (required);
  
• Birth certificate (required);
• Name of social worker (if applicable);
• Adoptive parents identifying information.

If you have adopted a child from outside Canada:

• Application for Registration
• Copy of child's immigration document or proof of Canadian citizenship;
• Copy of final legal adoption document;
• Adoptive parents identifying information.

NOTE:  The Department of Health is committed to safeguarding your privacy.  Visit our privacy webpage for more information on our privacy practices and about your rights regarding this issue.