NOVA SCOTIA MEDICAL SERVICE INSURANCE (NS MSI) Overview Updated: October 30, 2014
Eligibility To be eligible for Nova Scotia Medical Service Insurance (MSI) benefits you must be: a Canadian Citizen or "Permanent Resident" (Landed Immigrant) a resident who makes his/her permanent home in Nova Scotia and is present in the province 183 days every calendar year you must be registered with MSI to be eligible for benefits The following individuals are not eligible for coverage: Canadian Armed Forces, (however members of their families are eligible) tourists and visitors to the province students from another province inmates of federal penitentiaries If you are a returning Canadian Citizen or a returning "Permanent Resident" moving permanently to Nova Scotia from outside Canada, MSI will provide first day coverage. People moving to Nova Scotia from outside the country, who hold a Work Permit, are eligible to apply for MSI upon their arrival in Nova Scotia, provided they will be remaining in Nova Scotia for at least one full year and have signed a declaration. The worker cannot be absent from Nova Scotia for more than 31 days, except in the course of employment. Coverage will begin on the date of arrival in Nova Scotia or the date the Work Permit was issued, whichever is the later date. For continuous coverage, a copy of the renewed Work Permit must be submitted and a new declaration form must be signed each year. People coming to Nova Scotia from outside the country who hold a Study Permit can apply for coverage the first day of the thirteenth month following the date of arrival in Nova Scotia as a student; providing they have not been outside the province for more than 31 consecutive days except in the course of their studies (a person arriving in Nova Scotia in July cannot apply until August of the following year). For continuous coverage, a copy of each Study Permit must be submitted to MSI and a declaration must be signed each year. Persons on a Study Permit are eligible for insured services in Nova Scotia only. Services rendered while outside the province would be the responsibility of the individual. Effective July 1, 2006 persons on work permits will be covered for short term absences from Nova Scotia. Foreign Students People coming to Nova Scotia from outside the country who hold a Study Permit can apply for coverage the first day of the thirteenth month following the date of arrival in Nova Scotia as a student; providing they have not been outside the province for more than 31 consecutive days except in the course of their studies (a person arriving in Nova Scotia in July cannot apply until August of the following year). For continuous coverage, a copy of each Study Permit must be submitted to MSI and a declaration must be signed each year. Persons on a Study Permit are eligible for insured services in Nova Scotia only. Services rendered while outside the province would be the responsibility of the individual. If you are a fulltime student from another Canadian province, you are not eligible for MSI coverage. Your home province will continue to provide coverage as long as you are a student. Contact your home province to ensure your coverage is maintained. Temporary workers/extended work permits People moving to Nova Scotia from outside the country, who hold a Work Permit, are eligible to apply for MSI upon their arrival in Nova Scotia, provided they will be remaining in Nova Scotia for at least one full year and have signed a declaration. The worker cannot be absent from Nova Scotia for more than 31 days, except in the course of employment. Coverage will begin on the date of arrival in Nova Scotia or the
date the Work Permit was issued, whichever is the later date. For continuous coverage, a copy of the renewed Work Permit must be submitted and a new declaration form must be signed each year. Dependents Often the hospital will assign a Nova Scotia Health Card number to a newborn but the number is not active until MSI has been notified of the birth. New parents now have the option to apply to activate their newborn's Nova Scotia Health Card number when they register their baby's birth. This service is available at electronic kiosks located in each of the regional hospitals and the IWK. If a new parent consents to this service, the necessary information will be sent directly to Medavie Blue Cross on their behalf. The Health Card will be mailed out to the address provided within 10 business days. If you choose not to apply at the kiosk, a form will be provided to you at the hospital or you can contact MSI at 902-496-7008 or 1-800- 563-8880 (toll free in Nova Scotia) to register your newborn. Dependent Children under the age of 19 are granted coverage on the same basis as their parents once the applicant has gained entitlement. Wait period If you are a returning Canadian Citizen or a returning "Permanent Resident" moving permanently to Nova Scotia from outside Canada, MSI will provide first day coverage. People moving to Nova Scotia from outside the country, who hold a Work Permit, are eligible to apply for MSI upon their arrival in Nova Scotia, provided they will be remaining in Nova Scotia for at least one full year and have signed a declaration. The worker cannot be absent from Nova Scotia for more than 31 days, except in the course of employment. Coverage will begin on the date of arrival in Nova Scotia or the date the Work Permit was issued, whichever is the later date. For continuous coverage, a copy of the renewed Work Permit must be submitted and a new declaration form must be signed each year. People coming to Nova Scotia from outside the country who hold a Study Permit can apply for coverage the first day of the thirteenth month following the date of arrival in Nova Scotia as a student; providing they have not been outside the province for more than 31 consecutive days except in the course of their studies (a person arriving in Nova Scotia in July cannot apply until August of the following year). For continuous coverage, a copy of each Study Permit must be submitted to MSI and a declaration must be signed each year. Persons on a Study Permit are eligible for insured services in Nova Scotia only. Services rendered while outside the province would be the responsibility of the individual. Dependent Children under the age of 19 are granted coverage on the same basis as their parents once the applicant has gained entitlement. Coverage during wait period New residents from other parts of Canada should maintain coverage with their former medical plan during the wait period. During this waiting period, you will continue to receive coverage from your former province of residence. New or returning residents arriving from outside Canada should contact a private insurance company (Cowan) for coverage during this period. Documents (photocopies) required with application Proof of citizenship or immigration status is required for the application process. To complete an application please contact the MSI Registration Department at (902) 496-7008 or toll free 1-800-563-8880. Mailing address:
Location address: 230 Brownlow Avenue, Adding and removing dependents New parents now have the option to activate their newborn's Nova Scotia Health Card number when they register their baby's birth. This service is now available at electronic kiosks located in each of the regional hospitals and IWK. If a new parent consents to this service, the necessary information will be sent directly to Medavie Blue Cross on their behalf. The Health Card will be mailed out to the address provided within 10 business days. It is in your best interest to ensure that MSI has your most up-to-date contact information and mailing address. You can notify MSI of your change of address online, via the Government Online Services Website. Where to Register To complete an application please contact the; MSI Registration Department at (902) 496-7008 or Toll free 1-800-563-8880 Mailing address: Location address: 230 Brownlow Avenue, Your Nova Scotia Health Card has an expiry date. Three months before this date, you will receive a "Health Card Renewal" form which you must complete, sign and return to MSI. Once the form is received and no additional information is required, coverage will be renewed and a new card sent out with a new expiry date. Forms are available by downloading (PDF) or calling the MSI office. http://novascotia.ca/dhw/msi/health_cards.asp How to enrol Proof of citizenship or immigration status is required for the application process. To complete an Application please contact the MSI Registration Department at (902) 496-7008 or toll free 1-800-563-8880. Mailing address: Location address: 230 Brownlow Avenue,
Changes that affect your coverage It is in your best interest to ensure that MSI has your most up-to-date contact information and mailing address. You can notify MSI of your change of address online, via the Government Online Services Website. Cancelling your coverage -absences from country Contact MSI Registration and Enquiry Department by phone at 1-902-496-7008 or 1-800-563-8880 (toll free in Nova Scotia) You may also email your change to MSI@medavie.ca If you leave Nova Scotia to establish permanent residence elsewhere in Canada, your MSI coverage is valid until the last day of the second month following your date of arrival in the new province. For example, if you arrive in the new province on September 27th, your MSI coverage ends November 30th. In a family situation, if one spouse moves before the other, coverage is extended until the later spouse arrives in the new province. That date will determine the termination date for all family members. The maximum extension is twelve months. You should contact the Registration Department with your new address and the date you will be leaving the province. In addition, you should register for benefits in your new province of residence immediately upon arrival. If you leave Nova Scotia to establish permanent residence outside of Canada your MSI coverage is valid until the day you leave Canada. What is covered? Nova Scotia's Health Insurance Programs are designed to provide eligible residents with coverage for medically required hospital, medical, dental and optometric services with some restrictions. When to use your card Please carry your signed Nova Scotia Health Card with you at all times. You must present it to the physician and/or hospital each time you need insured hospital or physician services. A valid health card contains information needed by hospitals and physicians. It will ensure that your medical records are always up to date. Nova Scotia Health Cards have a four-year term. The expiry date is in relation to the duration of the card and not necessarily to the eligibility status of the individual. Renewal notices will be mailed three months prior to the expiry date. There is no charge to renew your card. Health Cards expire to keep Nova Scotia residents Health Card information up-to-date. http://novascotia.ca/dhw/msi/health_cards.asp How to replace a lost card If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, or to report changes such as new address, birth, adoption, death, marriage, divorce, or legal separation, contact MSI. There is a fee to replace a lost or stolen card. General Enquiries Contact information MSI Contact Provide your Health Card number when calling or corresponding with MSI. Toll-free: 1-800-563-8880 (in Nova Scotia) Phone: 902-496-7008 Fax: 902-481 - 3160 Telephone hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mailing address: Location address: 230 Brownlow Ave, E-mail address: MSI@medavie.ca Websites http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/subjects/cards/health_card.shtml Provincial forms http://novascotia.ca/dhw/msi/fact_sheets.asp The information posted in this document has been prepared for convenience of reference only. While the information posted on this site is believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of posting, Cowan does not guarantee, represent or warrant that the information contained on this site will be accurate, complete, error-free or current at all times. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, however new information is received on a frequent basis and all changes may not be included in the results. The use of this site shall be entirely at your risk. Cowan Insurance Group, their officers, directors, employees or agents thereof, as well as any person associated with the creation and maintenance of this site or its contents will not be responsible in any manner for any harm, loss or damage, however caused, arising out of your use of this site, including direct, indirect, special, third party or consequential damages. We will not be responsible for any detrimental reliance that you may place upon the site or its contents. This site contains information that may be accessed from other sites which sites are not maintained or controlled in any way by Cowan. Cowan does not control and is not responsible for any of these sites or their content, and as a result such information is not to be construed as an endorsement by Cowan or any other party of the products, services, advice or opinions or any other content of such sites. You are fully responsible for any use that you make of the content contained and you are solely responsible for the consequences of any use of or reliance on such content. The information provided is for convenience only.