New Brunswick Healthcare

New Brunswick Healthcare coverage is called Medicare and is funded by the Provincial and Federal Government. This is only provided for eligible residents of the Province. As with all of Canada, it is imperative to have some kind of health insurance as the cost of healthcare is very expensive.

If you are a Canadian citizen, or have Immigration status and a resident of New Brunswick who physically lives in the Province for at least 6 months of a twelve month period, you are eligible for New Brunswick Healthcare coverage. There is a three month waiting period before you become eligible for New Brunswick healthcare coverage. However, the month you arrive in the Province is counted as the first month of the waiting period.

Everyone must register for Medicare coverage to be eligible for benefits. Once the application has been approved you will be issued with a New Brunswick Healthcare card. You must carry your card at all times to present to the health professional if you require health services. As the health coverage in New Brunswick only covers necessary medical treatments it is highly recommended that you have additional coverage.

Prescription drugs, dental care and even a trip in an ambulance can be very expensive. Benefit packages that cover your New Brunswick Healthcare additional costs are sometimes offered by employers or alternatively you can purchase your own, private plan.

Health Issues

As a whole there are very few serious issues that concern New Brunswick healthcare. The two major illnesses that have hit the headlines in Canada in general are the SARS outbreak (2003) and the continued threat of West Nile Virus. SARS originates form the Far East (China in particular) and the main outbreaks were in Toronto and Vancouver. Several other canadians contracted the illness through Far Eastern travel. Fortunately, over the past few years there were hardly any confirmed cases in Canada and hopefully, effective treatment and vaccinations will reduce the threat further.

With the arrival of the summer comes the Mosquito. Unfortunately mosquitos are everywhere - especially near water - and some carry the West Nile Virus that is known to cause illness in humans to varying degrees. It does seem that the younger you are the less prone to the effects, though this is by no means clinically proven.

The best protection is to avoid being bitten in the first place, so wear long sleeves and pants (trousers) with a good quality repellant. The best one we have found is "Deep Woods Off" that also comes in a kids formula. Stay away from bodies of still or stagnant water especially around evening time when they are most active. If you feel the symptoms (see link above) see a doctor as soon as possible. The Department of Health and Wellness also has information on their website.