MHSIP stands for the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan. It is a government-run health plan that pays for many health care services, including visits to your family doctor and various specialists.
MHSIP provides Manitoba residents with emergency and preventive care that’s free of charge. The costs of MHSIP are covered through taxes. All Manitoba residents pay for MHSIP through their personal income tax. MHSIP also includes Pharmacare, the provincial drug benefits program for eligible applicants, which includes those who spend a minimum of 6 months per year in the province.
What is an MHSIP Card?
Applying for MHSIP
To apply for MHSIP, you have to fill out the Manitoba Health Registration Form which can be found here. Alternatively, you may apply in person at your local Insured Benefits Branch or Manitoba Health Office. You will need to:
- Complete the Manitoba Health Registration Form
- Provide your previous province's/territory's health card number
- Provide valid proof of legal status in Canada (i.e. Copy of Canadian Passport, Canadian Birth Certificate, Canadian Citizenship Card, Certificate of Indian Status or Permanent Resident Confirmation Card (copy of both sides))
- Provide proof of residence in Manitoba: 6 months (183 days) in a calendar year
How to Prove Your Residence in Manitoba
Where to Apply in Person for MHSIP
There are multiple in-person options to apply in person for the Manitoba Services Health Insurance Plan.
How to Apply Online for MHSIP
To apply online for a Manitoba Health Plan Card, you need to fill out this form with necessary information, such as personal information, residence and citizenship/immigration information, etc. After you complete and sign the application, send it along with supporting documents to insuredben@gov.mb.ca. Unsigned or incomplete forms will not be processed.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible for the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan (MHSIP) you must:
Who are not eligible for MHSIP coverage?
Those who are not eligible for coverage are:
Getting an MHSIP Card
To get an MHSIP card, you have to visit your local Service Canada Centre with the original documents confirming your eligibility as discussed above. In some cases, you may have to provide additional documents. For example, you may be required to provide a marriage certificate if you changed your name, and so on.
Renewing or Replacing Your MHSIP Card
If your Manitoba Health Card has been damaged, stolen or lost it is advised that you immediately contact the Insured Benefits Branch for a replacement. You can also report online by completing the eNotice of Change form.
MHSIP Coverage
You must have met the eligibility requirements to qualify for MHSIP coverage. Manitoba health pays your physician directly for your medically required services. Coverage is provided in the following categories:
Dental
When it comes to dental benefits, the coverage doesn’t include routine or major services, such as cleanings, extractions, fillings, periodontics, endodontics, dentures, bridges, crowns, etc.
There is no coverage for treatment of accidental injury to teeth.
There is no coverage for dental surgeon services, for any specific dental procedures performed in the hospital.
When hospitalization is required, Manitoba Health Plan and Seniors Care will insure certain dental procedures.
Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs are not covered under the MHSIP umbrella. However, Manitoba Health offers the Pharmacare program which is a drug benefit program for people whose income is affected by the high costs of prescription drugs. Those Manitoba residents who don’t have access to prescription drug coverage through individual insurance plans, union, or group benefits turn to Pharmacare coverage. It’s based on a family’s total income and the amount they pay for eligible prescription medications. It is adjusted to include a spouse and the number of dependents with the deductible based on your family’s adjusted income. Pharamacare is available to all Manitobans regardless of age or disease.
Please note that only drugs listed on the Manitoba drug formulary will be covered by Pharmacare.
The criteria one must meet in order to qualify for the Manitoba Pharmacare program:
- The prescriptions aren’t covered by other federal or provincial programs.
- You meet the eligibility criteria for Manitoba Health and Seniors Care coverage.
Extended Health Care
Manitoba’s Extended Health Care is designed to provide financial help for medical expenses that aren’t covered by Manitoba Health. These benefits include:
- Assisted care
- Home nursing
- Ambulance services
- Semi-private hospital room
- Prescription drug coverage
- Paramedical services
- Coverage for eye exams and glasses
For more information, visit this page.
Travel, and Out-of-Province Coverage
When you travel outside of Canada, you are responsible for some of the costs of emergency medical or hospital care. Buying health insurance before your departure is always a good idea. Healthcare services in other countries can and will almost certainly be more expensive than in Manitoba. Manitoba Health and Seniors Care will pay for the medical services you need in case you get admitted to a hospital outside of Canada on an emergency basis.
If you’re seen in a hospital emergency or outpatient department, your coverage is limited to $100, while physician services are covered by Manitoba Health at the rates paid to Manitoba doctors.
As for Out-of-Province Coverage, when visiting another Canadian province and require medical or hospital care, you can show your Manitoba Health card and your medical needs will be covered by Manitoba Health.
Out-of-Province Transportation Subsidy Program
Manitoba residents may be eligible for help with the transportation costs in relation to accessing medical care outside of the province. You can ask your treating Manitoba specialist to apply for a transportation subsidy on your behalf if your specialist has referred you outside of the province for medical care.
The eligibility criteria:
- You must be referred out-of-province by a specialist for insured care and treatment that can’t be provided in Manitoba, and in the case of an out-of-country referral treatment that can’t be provided in Canada.
- To demonstrate what investigations or services are medically necessary and why they aren’t available in Manitoba (or Canada, in the case of out-of-country referrals), your treating Manitoba specialist should provide evidence.
- It must be demonstrated that the requested medical service is not being performed on a trial basis, of emerging technology, and not experimental.
- Prior to the treatment occurring, approval needs to be granted for medical services requested outside of Canada.
In case of an emergency, you may be eligible to require air ambulance services thanks to the information supplied by your referring specialist. If you require such services, you will not be charged for the cost of air ambulance transportation.
Vision Care
The Vision Care Plan is beneficial because it provides you with reimbursement for certain services for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. If you or your spouse are older than 65, or your children are 18 years and younger, Manitoba Health program provides you with a limited vision care benefit. Before you will be reimbursed, you must apply for the government benefit.
Children's Opti-Care Program
The Children’s Opti-Care Program provides assistance towards the cost of prescription eyeglasses. This program provides approximately $84 per child per year. If the child requires special needs vision care, this benefit may increase.
This benefit is not available to those who :
- Submit a claim 14 months or more after the glasses were purchased
- Have an existing group benefits plan, Rewarding Work Health Plan, Manitoba Blue Cross or First Nations Insured Health Benefits
For additional information and how to apply for the Children’s Opti-Care Program please visit this page.
Seniors Eyeglass Program
The Seniors Eyeglass Program is a financial assistance program for Manitobans aged 65 and over towards the purchase of eyeglasses. You may claim a single pair of eyeglasses once every three years. If a change in prescription is medically necessary, this benefit may be increased.
What is not covered?
Unless they are medically required, the following items are not covered:
- Eyeglass repairs
- Contact lenses
- Sunglasses
For additional information on the Seniors Eyeglass Program, dispensing fees and deductibles, please visit this page.
Infant Contact Lens Program
For infants born with congenital eye defects, Manitoba Health covers the cost of infant contact lenses. These services are only eligible for rebate when the service and product is prescribed by an ophthalmologist and the costs are not covered by other federal or provincial programs.
For more information on how and where to submit a claim, please visit this page.
Prosthetic Eye Program
Manitoba Health will pay for a portion of the cost towards prosthetic shells and artificial lenses and or cosmetic shells and related services such as: buildup, resurfacing and repolishing. This program covers a brand new device every two years and has a maximum allowable benefit. These services must be medically necessary and not covered by federal or provincial programs.
For more information on deductibles and how to submit a claim, please visit this page.
Health Care for Students in Manitoba
Prior to September of 1, 2018, all students regardless of origin were eligible to receive healthcare through Manitoba Health. That is no longer the case. Now, both domestic and international students have coverage with Enhanced Care UMSU Health & Dental Plan and Manitoba International Student Health Plan (respectively). These plans do include a fee, however that fee is based on tuition costs.
Who is covered by the Manitoba International Student Health Plan (MISHP)?
International students in Manitoba are required to have primary health coverage. Each student will be covered by the MISHP. This includes English Language Centre program students, degree-seeking students, and students in Extended Education certificate programs.
This health program will cover foreign students for eligible medical services that may be difficult to afford outside their native country. These may include visits to the doctor, hospital stays, X-rays, etc. You can purchase family coverage within 30 days from the start of your academic term, and the cost of this coverage is in addition to your MISHP fee.
International students who graduate will have their health coverage extended for 4 months after their final term. Freshmen students have emergency-only health coverage for 1 month before the first term.
For more information on coverage, claims, finding a clinic and information specific to exact universities, please visit this page.
Who is covered by the Enhanced Care UMSU Health & Dental Plan?
Member eligibility is often automatic provided that a student is enrolled in and attending one on-campus course and are registered for 6 minimum credit hours. As stated above, all students must also be covered under a provincial health insurance plan. Students will be covered for a full year's worth of benefits beginning on September 1 and ending on August 31.
For full time students beginning their term in the winter will have benefits from January 1 to August 1. New full time students must be enrolled in 9 credit hours on campus.
For more detailed information on how to change coverage options, the appeals process and official plan documentation, please visit this page.
Manitoba Health Care - Seniors and Active Living
The Home Care program is designed to provide long-term health care services to the seniors. There is also the Long Term & Continuing Care Association of Manitoba (LTCAM), which is a membership-based, non-profit organization that has been a valued partner and advisor in the promotion of long-term care for seniors in Manitoba.
To be eligible for home care services, you must be a Manitoba resident, require assistance with daily activities, require services to stay in the home or establishment as long as possible, and require more help than what is available from potential or existing support. If eligible, your case will be assessed and the regional health authorities will determine whether you should receive it in house or in an establishment.
According to your assessed care needs, you may be eligible for home care services such as:
- Health care (nursing care, home nutrition, physiotherapy, home oxygen concentrator, home dialysis, home ostomy, home IV therapy, and referral to other services)
- Personal care/mobility
- Respite care in the home
- Respite care in another setting
- Supplies and equipment needed for your care
- Adult day programs
- Enhanced support options
Coverage for Subgroups
The Manitoba Government covers both military and aboriginal groups in their healthcare programs. Both have free access to medically necessary care as required by a licensed physician.
Aboriginals
Aboriginal peoples are insured by MHSIP. The government assists aboriginals by providing public health services and health promotion programs.
Military
Regular Force personnel are eligible for MHSIP coverage during specified periods, based on their duty status. Benefits are immediately available to those in active duty, as well as their dependents.
There is much confusion regarding this provincial government health plan and the extent of the coverage. Let’s take a look at this breakdown of common procedures and coverage eligibility.
Private health insurance can help extend your coverage. Private insurance can cover the costs of prescription drugs, dental procedures, glasses, and more.
