About the Canada Health Act

The Canada Health Act is Canada's federal legislation for publicly funded health care insurance. Under the act, eligible residents of Canada must have reasonable access to required health services. The services are to be provided on the same terms and without patient charges.

Learn more about the Canada Health Act:

The act sets out the criteria and conditions for the coverage of insured health services and extended health care services. The provinces and territories must meet these conditions to receive their full federal cash contribution under the Canada Health Transfer.

Read about the Canada Health Transfer.

Insured health services include medically necessary hospital, physician and certain surgical-dental services. Extended health care services include certain long-term care services like nursing home care and adult residential care.

Learn more about publicly funded health insurance coverage.

Contact us

Contact us if you have questions about a health insurance issue or the act:

Canada Health Act Division
Health Canada
Address locator: 0908C
70 Colombine Driveway
Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9

Telephone: 1-800-465-7735 (Service Canada)

E-mail: medicare.spb.chad-dlcs.dgps.assurance.maladie@hc-sc.gc.ca

Related links

Page details

2025-07-16