Manitoba’s provincial health plan is known as "Manitoba Health", and the provincial drug benefits program is known as "Pharmacare". These benefits are available to all permanent residents of Manitoba who reside in the province at least 6 months per year.

Please use the following as a brief summary of Manitoba Health Plan.

- for full details go to the Manitoba Health Plan web site -

Medical Services:

Manitoba Health provides the following benefits:

• Physician services.
• Surgery and anaesthesia.
• X-ray and laboratory services when ordered by a physician.
• One eye exam every 2 years for those under 19 and over 65; eye exams that are considered medically necessary by a physician or optometrist will be covered regardless of age.
• A maximum of 12 chiropractor visits per calendar year; spinal column adjustments, pelvis and extremities are insurable chiropractic services.
• Certain dental procedures when hospitalization is necessary.

Emergency ambulance services are not covered by Manitoba Health, it is strongly recommended that residents of Manitoba have third-party health coverage in order to cover these emergency costs.

Hospital Services:

Manitoba Health benefits cover the following hospital services:

• Accommodation and meals (standard level).
• Nursing services.
• Laboratory, x-ray and diagnostic procedures.
• Medications that are administered in a hospital.
• Operating room, care room and anaesthetic facilities, surgical supplies.
• Occupational, physiotherapy and speech services.
• Dietetic counseling.

Personal Home Care:

Residents of Manitoba are eligible for personal home care benefits; newcomers are eligible after residing in the province for 24 consecutive months. An assessment panel must determine that you require personal home care in order to receive insured benefits, which include:

• Basic nursing care.
• Assistance and/or supervision of activities associated with daily living.
• Physiotherapy/occupational therapy.
• Medical and surgical supplies as well as prescription drugs and related preparations that are approved by Manitoba Health.
• Meals (this includes specialty diets).
• Laundry and linen services.

Pharmacare:

Pharmacare offers a drug benefit program for all Manitobans who cannot afford high prescription drug costs. It is based on total family income and the amount paid for eligible prescription medications; a deductible is determined by family income. To qualify a person must:

• Be eligible for Manitoba health coverage.
• Not have prescriptions paid for by any other federal and/or provincial program.
• Not have prescriptions covered by private health insurance.
• Your costs exceed the Pharmacare deductible.

Last updated October 2008