If you require insured physician services anywhere in Canada, except Quebec, simply present your valid New Brunswick Medicare card to the physician. New Brunswick has agreements with all Canadian provinces and territories, except Quebec, which allow physicians to bill their own health plan for providing insured physician services to New Brunswickers.
However, physicians in other provinces or territories may bill a New Brunswick resident for services excluded from the agreements, such as genetic screening and procedures still in the experimental or developmental phase. These claims can be submitted to New Brunswick Medicare for consideration, but reimbursement is not guaranteed.
In the province of Quebec, the physician may bill the patient directly or choose to bill New Brunswick Medicare. If you receive a bill from a physician in Quebec, submit a claim to New Brunswick Medicare for consideration. If reimbursement applies, it will be calculated at the Quebec rate only, which could be less than the amount billed by the physician.
If you require insured hospital services elsewhere in Canada, New Brunswick Medicare will pay the standard rate. However, certain insured hospital services may be billed directly to you. These claims can be submitted to New Brunswick Medicare for consideration, but reimbursement is not guaranteed.
It is mandatory for physicians to request prior approval from New Brunswick Medicare before referring a patient out-of-province for addiction or psychiatric treatment, unless the treatment is provided in a general hospital. The approval must be sought through the province’s Addiction Services or Mental Health Services.
Please note that you must present a valid New Brunswick Medicare card to receive insured physician and hospital services in other Canadian provinces or territories.
Travel and accommodation fees are not covered by New Brunswick Medicare for out-of-province services.