Applying For New Brunswick Medicare

New Brunswick residents and newcomers can now apply for their Medicare cards online, making it easier and more convenient to access primary care. The online application takes around 30 to 45 minutes to complete, and applicants are advised not to submit duplicate applications. The eligibility criteria for New Brunswick Medicare coverage include being a Canadian citizen or having the legal right to stay in Canada, as well as making New Brunswick your permanent and principal home. International students who meet the eligibility criteria are also covered, but there are certain groups who are not eligible, such as members of the Canadian Armed Forces, tourists, transients, and inmates of federal prisons.

How to apply for New Brunswick Medicare online

Eligibility

To be eligible for New Brunswick Medicare, you must be either a Canadian citizen or legally entitled to remain in Canada, and make your permanent and principal home in New Brunswick. International students who meet the eligibility criteria are also eligible for coverage.

Regular members of the Canadian Armed Forces, tourists and visitors to the province, students from another province, and inmates of federal prisons are not eligible for coverage.

Documents Required

You will need to provide proof of your citizenship, identity, and residency in the province.

As a Canadian Citizen:

• Baptismal certificate (if the place of birth is identified)
• Valid New Brunswick Driver’s License
• Valid Passport (Canadian or foreign)
• Valid Permanent Resident Card (front and back) or Record of Landing Document (e.g., Form # IMM 1000)
• Active Temporary Resident Permit issued by Citizenship
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Indian Status Card (front and back)
• Legal Name Change Document
• Student or Employee ID Card
• Previous Provincial Health Card

As a Non-Canadian:

• Canadian Immigration Identification Records and Entry Stamp on their Passport
• Proof of enrollment from an approved learning institution

Proof of Residency:

• Rental or Lease Agreement (must be signed by landlord and tenant)
• Utility Bill (not older than 2 months)
• Employment Confirmation (current pay stub or letter from the employer on company letterhead)
• Insurance Policy (home, tenant, auto)
• Valid NB Motor Vehicle Registration
• Valid NB Driver's License
• Child Tax Benefit Statement
• Property Tax Bill (current year)

Application Process:

The online application process is expected to make it easier and more convenient for eligible residents to apply for New Brunswick Medicare coverage. The application takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete, and applicants are advised not to submit duplicate applications.

Once your application and accompanying documentation have been received, it takes four to six weeks for processing. If there is no correspondence after eight weeks, contact Service New Brunswick Teleservices at 1-888-762-8600.

How to apply for New Brunswick Medicare in person

To apply for New Brunswick Medicare in person, you will need to visit a Service New Brunswick office. Before you go, you should gather the following documents:

• Proof of Canadian citizenship, or a copy of all immigration records plus the entry stamp in your passport.
• Proof of identity.
• Proof of residence.

If you are mailing in your application, you should provide photocopies of your documents. However, if you are applying in person, you should bring the original documents. The Service New Brunswick office cannot guarantee the return of your original documents.

Once you have submitted your application, it will take 10 weeks to review. After your application has been processed, you will receive a letter indicating the official start date of your Medicare coverage, followed by your physical Medicare card.

If you have not received correspondence after 8 weeks, you can contact Service New Brunswick Teleservices at 1-888-762-8600.

Please note that there is a 3-month waiting period for newcomers to access covered medical services. Therefore, it is recommended to obtain private health insurance to cover you during this time.

How to apply for New Brunswick Medicare by mail

Applying for your New Brunswick Medicare card as a newcomer is a straightforward process. You can apply by mail or in person at a Service New Brunswick office. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for New Brunswick Medicare by mail.

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Before starting your application, it is important to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for New Brunswick Medicare. To be eligible, you must be either:

• A Canadian citizen or legally entitled to remain in Canada, and a resident who makes their permanent and principal home in New Brunswick.
• An international student who meets the eligibility criteria.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

When applying for New Brunswick Medicare, you will need to provide certain documents along with your application form. These documents include:

• Proof of Canadian citizenship or a copy of all immigration records, including the entry stamp in your passport.
• Proof of identity.
• Proof of residence.

It is important to note that if you are mailing your application, you should provide photocopies of your documents, as the Service New Brunswick offices cannot guarantee the return of your original documents.

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

You can find the New Brunswick Medicare Application Form online as a fillable PDF. Download and fill out the form, ensuring that all information is accurate and complete.

Step 4: Mail Your Application Package

Once you have completed the application form and gathered all the required documents, put them together in an envelope and mail them to the Service New Brunswick office. The address can be found on the official government website or by searching for "Service New Brunswick Medicare address" online.

Step 5: Wait for Processing

After submitting your application, it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for processing. During this time, you may consider obtaining private health insurance to cover any medical needs that may arise. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a letter indicating the official start date of your Medicare coverage, followed by your physical Medicare card in the mail.

What documents do you need to apply for New Brunswick Medicare?

To apply for a New Brunswick Medicare card, you must submit a signed original 'Application for Registration' form. You can apply in person or by mail. The application form can be downloaded and printed.

In addition to the form, you must also provide proof of Canadian citizenship or, if you are not a Canadian citizen, proof of your right to remain in the country. This can be demonstrated with the following documents:

• Copy of all Canadian Immigration Identification Records
• Entry stamp on passport
• Baptismal certificate (if the place of birth is identified)
• Proof of enrolment from an approved learning institution

Documents that may be accepted as proof of identity include:

• Valid New Brunswick Driver's Licence
• Valid passport (Canadian or foreign)
• Baptismal certificate (if place and date of birth are indicated)
• Valid Permanent Resident Card (front and back) or Record of Landing Document (e.g., Form # IMM 1000)
• Active Temporary Resident Permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Indian Status Card (front and back)
• Legal Name Change Document
• Student or Employee ID Card
• Previous Provincial Health Card

Documents that may be accepted as proof of residency include:

• Rental or Lease Agreement (must be signed by landlord and tenant)
• Utility Bill (not older than 2 months, for phone, energy, cable/satellite, water/sewer)
• Employment Confirmation (current pay stub or letter from employer on company letterhead)
• Insurance Policy (home, tenant, auto)
• Valid NB Motor Vehicle Registration
• Valid NB Driver's Licence
• Child Tax Benefit Statement
• Property Tax Bill (current year)

Who is eligible for New Brunswick Medicare?

To be eligible for New Brunswick Medicare, you must be either:

• A Canadian citizen or legally entitled to stay in Canada, and a resident who makes their permanent and principal home in New Brunswick.
• An international student who meets the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility requirements for Canadian citizens or residents

If you are a Canadian citizen or resident, you must provide proof of citizenship or residency, as well as proof of identity and residency in New Brunswick. This can include documents such as a valid passport, driver's license, birth certificate, or immigration records.

Eligibility requirements for international students

International students with a valid student visa are eligible for New Brunswick Medicare coverage. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in full-time attendance at a recognised post-secondary institution, such as a university, community college, or private institution as determined by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour. Spouses and dependents of eligible international students are also covered, provided they live with the student and possess their own valid immigration document.

Other eligibility considerations

It is important to note that there is a 3-month waiting period for newcomers to access covered medical services after arriving in New Brunswick. During this time, it is recommended to obtain private health insurance. Additionally, students from another province are not eligible for New Brunswick Medicare coverage and should consult their provincial Medicare plan for information on coverage while in New Brunswick.

Frequently asked questions