Healthcare in Saskatchewan

Healthcare System in Saskatchewan

Introduction

In Saskatchewan, as in every Canadian province, many health-care services are publicly funded and free to residents. Because health care can be very expensive if you are not insured, newcomers are strongly encouraged to carry private insurance until their provincial coverage begins. Provincial services are delivered by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), and registration for coverage is handled by its affiliate eHealth Saskatchewan. To receive insured care, you must apply for a Saskatchewan Health Card.

Who is Eligible?

Anyone who makes Saskatchewan their principal home for at least five months in a calendar year is eligible—including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and most work- or study-permit holders. Coverage starts either on the day you establish residence or on the first day of the third month after arrival, depending on your immigration status.

Required Documents

You must submit proof of both legal entitlement to be in Canada (for each person) and current Saskatchewan residency (one per family).

1. Legal Entitlement to be in Canada

Status	Acceptable Proof (copies)
Canadian Citizens	Birth certificate • Canadian passport • Certificate of Citizenship
Permanent Residents	PR card (both sides) • Confirmation of PR • Notice of Decision (Convention Refugee)
Foreign Nationals	Study permit + proof of full-time enrolment • Work permit • Foreign passport with entry stamp • Temporary Resident Permit

2. Saskatchewan Residency

Signed mortgage, rental, or lease agreement
Utility bill (cell-phone bills not accepted)
Home, auto, or tenant-insurance policy
Saskatchewan driver’s licence
Employer pay-stub or letter of employment
CRA notice of assessment or property-tax bill
Child-tax-benefit statement
School or university transcript/report card

How to Apply

Method	How To
Online (fastest)	Create a Saskatchewan Account and upload documents: https://services.saskatchewan.ca/
E-mail	Complete the PDF form and e-mail it with scans to skhealthcardapp@ehealthsask.ca
Mail	Send the form and photocopies to: eHealth Saskatchewan 2130 11th Ave Regina SK S4P 0J5

Download the application form here (for e-mail and mail):
https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/health-cards/Pages/apply.aspx

Processing time: typically 4-6 weeks. Check current estimates:
https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/Pages/waittimes.aspx

While You Wait for the Card

Save your confirmation e-mail/receipt. Many clinics will accept it, together with photo ID and immigration papers.
If you must pay out of pocket before coverage is active, keep all receipts; you can submit them to SHA for reimbursement once you receive your health-card number (the process can take 12–24 months).
Consider private insurance for prescriptions, dental, vision, and ambulance costs during the waiting period.

Healthcare Services Covered

By registering in Saskatchewan’s healthcare system, you can access the following services free of charge:

Service	Details
Family Doctor Visits	Visits to a general practitioner (family doctor) are free.
Emergency Care	Emergency department services at hospitals are covered.
Hospitalization	Inpatient care and hospital stays are covered.
Certain Specialized Treatments	Some necessary surgeries and specialized care are also covered.

You do not need to make direct payments for these services; the provincial healthcare system pays the costs.

Note: In Canada all initial visits are to your family doctor, and any referral to specialists must be made by them.

Healthcare Services Not Covered

Some services are not included in Saskatoon’s public healthcare system and require private or supplemental insurance:

Non-Covered Services	Details
Dental Services	Routine dental care is generally not covered (except in specific cases for children or if you are covered by Canadian Dental Care Plan – CDCP).
Vision Care and Glasses	Eye exams and purchasing glasses are usually not covered.
Prescription Medications	Medications bought from pharmacies are not covered except in special cases (private drug insurance is recommended).
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation	Some specialized therapies require private insurance or out-of-pocket payments.

It is common to receive employer-sponsored plans to cover these additional services, if you are employed at a larger firm.

For USask Students

The International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) offers health-card information sessions at the start of every term. Attending a workshop is the easiest way to learn the application process and ask questions.

Disclaimer

The information provided in these resources is intended for informational purposes only, and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the content or any consequences resulting from the use of the provided information.

These resources are the property of the Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association and may be freely referenced, provided that a link to the corresponding page on the Association’s website is included.