You have the right to apply for public health insurance in Canada as a permanent resident or landed immigrant. Applications must be filed in the province where you want to settle. In certain situations, you may be qualified for coverage right away. Other jurisdictions impose a three-month waiting period before receiving publicly subsidised care. Do note that you cannot apply for a health card in more than one province.
In addition to filing for a health card, you should look for a family doctor for yourself and your family. They are responsible for providing basic health care, such as yearly exams, prescription medicine, vaccines, and organising preventative testing, such as blood tests or a Pap screening. Another advantage of having a specialised family doctor is that they will learn about your medical history.
Because not all GPs take new patients, you'll need to find a family doctor who will. You may start your search by doing the following:
You will first need a reference if you need the help of a specialist, such a dermatologist or cardiologist. Your primary care physician will often make the recommendation. However, a walk-in clinic may also be recommended to you by a medical professional. Referrals from a general practitioner keep specialists' schedules from becoming overloaded. When the specialist gets the recommendation from your primary care physician, a representative from the specialist's office will get in touch with you to set up your initial consultation. Referrals to specialists are typically covered by your province's healthcare plan, with the exception of elective procedures like cosmetic surgery.