Navigating health insurance as a new resident of Saskatchewan
As a Newcomer to Saskatchewan or even Canada, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to caring for your health. Health insurance can help you support your family’s health while you get settled in your new home. Saskatchewan Blue Cross offers the tools and resources you need to find the right plan for you.
Health insurance for Newcomers to Saskatchewan
For people new to Canada, healthcare systems vary depending on the province. In Saskatchewan, health insurance is offered through the Saskatchewan Health Authority. You are eligible for provincial health coverage on the first day of the third month of your residence in Saskatchewan. Click here to learn what coverage is offered under Saskatchewan Health.
For Newcomers to Canada, apply for the Saskatchewan Health Card here, and learn more about your public healthcare options here. You may also benefit from additional health insurance offered by Saskatchewan Blue Cross.
Newcomers to Canada and Saskatchewan alike can benefit from Saskatchewan health insurance on top of what’s offered through the public healthcare system. Saskatchewan Blue Cross health insurance will have the additional coverage and benefits you need to live freely and offer you and your family security.
Some families will find they need more coverage when it comes to prescriptions, dental, vision, physical therapy, mental health services, and more. Having a plan with Saskatchewan Blue Cross also saves you from a waiting period at a new job before you can access group benefits (which may not offer all the coverage you need).
Families new to Canada may not have the luxury of waiting for health benefits to kick in with a new employer or may be employed somewhere that does not offer group benefits insurance. You’ll still have health needs to take care of during this time.
Health insurance with Saskatchewan Blue Cross can alleviate some of that stress and give families and individuals some peace of mind in a new country. It’s important to us that Saskatchewan residents can access the care they need when they need it!
Other helpful resources
Global Gathering Place (GGP)
Newcomers to Canada can also benefit from the Global Gathering Place (GGP), a drop-in non-profit centre that provides personalized, heartfelt settlement assistance to refugees and immigrants. Saskatchewan Blue Cross supports GGP in achieving its vision of a society where Newcomers are fully engaged and valued through three key initiatives:
- A Client Care Support position in the Providing Access to Healthcare (PATH) program who works one-on-one with clients to help them access and navigate the health system
- The Cultural Health Navigators (CHNs) program, which addresses cultural sensitivities in healthcare and Newcomers
- A bank of translated material used to facilitate interactions between clients and medical personnel
Regina Public Library
With our support, the Regina Public Library began creating Health Literacy programming in 2022 to assist Newcomers in transitioning to a new country. This program helps people learn how to read prescriptions and navigate vaccines. It also serves as an introduction to Canadian healthcare and how to survive a Saskatchewan winter (which can be very cold!).
Translation and interpretation services
Most interpretation services aren’t covered by the federal health program for refugees and Newcomers. Many support organizations don’t have funding to provide interpreter services. This means refugees often miss appointments, attend appointments where they don’t understand the practitioner, or don’t start treatments because of a lack of understanding.
Saskatchewan Blue Cross helps by funding translation and interpretation services at community health organizations for Newcomers requiring these services. Supported projects include:
- Regina Community Clinic
- YWCA Prince Albert
- Refugee Engagement and Community Health Clinic (REACH)/Saskatoon Community Clinic
What’s unique to health insurance in Canada?
In support of Health Literacy for Canadians, it’s also important to know what’s unique to Canadian health insurance. Ask yourself these questions when reviewing public healthcare coverage and when comparing it to Saskatchewan health benefits with Saskatchewan Blue Cross:
- What’s covered? What do you know you need already?
- How long do you need to wait for a benefit at work versus with Saskatchewan Blue Cross health insurance?
- What do you need on top of public healthcare?
- If you’ve moved from within Canada, how does the publicly offered Saskatchewan health insurance differ from your previous province?
Depending on your answers to these questions, you may see how you can benefit from additional Saskatchewan health insurance through Saskatchewan Blue Cross. Here, you can browse our health insurance plans to find one that resonates with you and fulfills all your healthcare needs. Don’t forget to explore the custom options in case there’s additional coverage you would like to have included in your plan.
Feel secure knowing that with our health insurance plans, your coverage starts on the first day of the month following your application’s approval and payment. Shop for your Saskatchewan health insurance plan today.
Our goal is to make health insurance easy and accessible
At Saskatchewan Blue Cross, we’re driven by a mission to empower communities on their journey to whole health and wellness. We’re also inspired by a vision for a future of lifelong health and well-being for residents of Saskatchewan.
Every day, we’re working to achieve our vision through a commitment to advancing Health Literacy in Saskatchewan. Our website offers tools and resources dedicated to educating and supporting our community to help you better understand Saskatchewan health insurance.