New Brunswickers are reminded that they must inform New Brunswick Medicare by calling Service New Brunswick (SNB) at 1-888-762-8600 or visiting their local SNB office if they are leaving the province as a result of any of the following:
Government of New Brunswick
Leaving New Brunswick
Failure to do so prior to your departure may result in termination of your coverage.
New Brunswick residents leaving NB are advised to obtain supplementary insurance from private insurers to cover the portion of accounts not payable by Medicare.
If you plan to permanently leave NB to establish permanent residence elsewhere in Canada, you will receive coverage for NB insured services for three months, including the month you moved. For example, if you move March 31st, you will be covered until May 31st. Registry in the new province or territory must be done immediately upon arrival to ensure continuous coverage.
Remember to contact NB Medicare to ensure continuous coverage during your wait period in the new province or territory.
If the move is outside Canada, New Brunswick Medicare coverage will end on the date of departure. Don’t forget to contact NB Medicare to advise of your date of departure.
It is recommended that in all instances of temporary leave (30 days or more), residents notify New Brunswick Medicare in order to maintain Medicare eligibility and ensure there is no delay in payment should they require and receive physician and/or hospital services during their absence.
Permanent New Brunswick residents who plan to be temporarily absent from New Brunswick for a vacation or visit remain insured during their absence, provided they have lived in New Brunswick for at least five months (153 days – consecutive or not) during a 12 month period. If this criterion has been met, then residents may be temporarily absent from New Brunswick for up to 212 days for vacation or visits.
New Brunswick Medicare can also offer up to 12 months coverage once every three years from the time of return. This involves a written request submitted to the Director of Medicare. If the leave exceeds 12 months, residents must reapply for Medicare coverage upon their return to New Brunswick
You may be temporarily absent from New Brunswick for up to 182 days (consecutive or not) in a 12 month period without affecting your coverage, provided your intention is to resume permanent residence in New Brunswick.
Approval may be granted for a duration of up to 12 months only once per 3 years from the time of return. If the leave exceeds 12 months, residents must reapply for Medicare coverage upon their return to NB.
New Brunswick residents accepting an out-of-country work contract must apply for a “contract worker” status which is assigned for up to a maximum of two years. A copy of your contractual agreement, clearly identifying your start and end dates of employment, must be provided.
Mobile workers, such as pilots or drilling engineers, whose employment requires them to travel frequently outside the province, must apply for “mobile worker” status.
A letter, including dates of rotation must be provided by your employer confirming that frequent travel is required outside New Brunswick. If working outside of Canada, a copy of your Immigration document allowing you to work out-of-country is also required.
A mobile worker status is assigned for a maximum of two years, after which time you must reapply and resubmit documentation to continue your “mobile worker” status.
Eligible students, who normally reside in New Brunswick and are in full-time attendance at a recognized university or other institution outside New Brunswick, or Canada, are covered for a 12-month period provided they:
Within Canada
- contact New Brunswick Medicare on an annual basis;
- do not establish permanent residence outside New Brunswick;
- maintain a New Brunswick address, and;
- do not receive health coverage in another province or territory;
Outside Canada
- do not establish permanent residence outside New Brunswick;
- maintain a New Brunswick address, and;
- annually provide New Brunswick Medicare with “proof of enrollment” from the school or university they are attending.
Students studying outside New Brunswick or Canada are advised to obtain supplementary health/medical insurance from private insurers to cover the portion of accounts not payable by Medicare.
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.