Residents of Nova Scotia are covered under the Medical Services Insurance Program (MSI).

- for full details please visit the government of Nova Scotia’s MSI web site -

MSI programs provide eligible residents with coverage for medically required hospital, medical, dental as well as optometric services (some restrictions do apply). It does not cover such services as ambulances and prescription medications; it will only cover basic emergency services for those who require care outside of Canada so travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Services that are covered include:

• Standard level accommodations and meals in hospital.
• Necessary nursing services.
• Laboratory and other diagnostic services.
• Prescription drugs administered in hospital.
• Radiotherapy and physiotherapy.
• Hospital services for most minor medical and/or surgical procedures.
• Medical services provided by Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Clinics.
• Orthognathic surgery.
• Surgical removal of impacted teeth.
• Oral and maxillary facial surgery.

Nova Scotia offers Pharmacare programs for those eligible residents who cannot afford their prescriptions and/or supplies. The programs that are currently offered are as follows:

• Family Pharmacare: all permanent residents of Nova Scotia who have a valid health card all eligible for this program. The deductible and co-payment is determined via family income and size; families with the greatest need will pay the least amount.
• Senior’s Pharmacare: all permanent residents of Nova Scotia who are 65 and older, have no other private or public drug coverage and have a valid health card are eligible.
• Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients: Permanent residents must have a valid health card as well as have a gross family income under a specified amount in order to receive aid for their medications relating to cancer treatment.
• Community Services Pharmacare: The Dept. of Community Services provides Pharmacare to Income Assistance clients, Services for Persons with Disabilities clients, children in the care of child welfare and Low Income Pharmacare for Children clients.
• Nova Scotia Diabetes Assistance Program: helps those with diabetes pay for most medications and supplies.

Last updated October 2008