RESOURCE
Health and health insurance
RAMQ, family doctor, emergencies: the first steps to access healthcare.
Access to healthcare in Canada is public, but there are waiting periods and conditions by province. It is important to know the steps to avoid unnecessary costs and quickly find available resources.
First steps
Register for provincial health insurance as soon as possible: RAMQ in Quebec (3-month waiting period for some statuses), OHIP in Ontario.
Look for a family doctor through provincial registries or GMFs (Quebec) / Family Health Teams (Ontario).
Identify the nearest walk-in clinic for non-urgent care.
Know resources available outside of emergencies: Info-Santé 811 (Quebec), Telemedicine, pharmacists.
While waiting for your health card, keep receipts if paid care is needed.
Common mistakes
Going to the emergency room for non-urgent care — waits are long and it strains the system.
Not registering for health insurance as soon as possible, creating an unnecessary uncovered period.
Sharing medical information with strangers or via unsecured apps.
Believing you cannot access care without a health card — emergency rooms cannot refuse.
Not checking if a medication is covered by insurance before paying full price at the pharmacy.
Official resources
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Marhaban Canada provides general and informational support. This service does not replace a healthcare professional, lawyer, or government body.