As a new immigrant to Yukon, one of your first jobs should be to apply for a Yukon health card. This card is the record of your Yukon health number and is proof of your eligibility for free healthcare under Yukon’s Health Insurance Plan.
You will need to provide your health card whenever you need to access healthcare in Yukon. You will also need it when registering with a family doctor.
In this post, we will give you an overview of the Canadian and Yukon healthcare systems, and we will explain in simple terms how to apply for a Yukon health card.
For more information on Canadian health care and other provincial health cards, refer to our article on applying for health cards in Canada.
Canadian Healthcare – An Overview
Canada’s excellent healthcare system provides free primary care to eligible residents. Healthcare is publicly funded and administered at the provincial/territorial level. The provincial/territorial systems operate on a similar basis, but there is some variation in coverage.
Your provincial/territorial plan will also provide basic coverage while travelling within other provinces and territories. However, if you move permanently, you will need to re-register for healthcare with your new province.
How To Apply For A Yukon Health Card – The Basics
The Yukon health card application is very straightforward. You will need to gather and photocopy the documents listed in section 5 below and then apply in person to a Territorial Agent or the Govt of Yukon offices in Whitehorse.
The following sections explain these steps in more detail, but some basic facts about the process are provided below:
| Program Name | Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (YHCIP) |
|---|---|
| Cost of Application | Free |
| Ongoing Insurance Cost | Free |
| Application Methods | In-Person Only |
| In-Person Locations | Territorial Agents/ Whitehorse Govt Office |
| Coverage Wait Period | 3 months |
Who Is Eligible For Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan?
To be eligible for health coverage in Yukon, you must satisfy all of the following requirements:
- be a Canadian citizen or have immigration status;
- make your permanent home in Yukon; and
- be physically present in Yukon and not absent for more than 6 months without a waiver from Insured Health Services.
You will also be eligible if you have a work permit for at least 12 months.
If you are eligible, there is a waiting period of 3 months before your coverage starts. However, if you move from within Canada, you will continue to receive basic coverage from your previous province/territory during this interim period.
People moving from outside Canada won’t be eligible for any government coverage. In this situation, private third-party insurance would be the only option for the first 3 months.
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Who Isn’t Eligible For Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan?
You aren’t eligible for Yukon coverage if you are on a study visa in Yukon.
If you are a student from another province or territory and plan to return to your home province after your studies, you won’t be eligible for YHCIP. However, you will still receive coverage from your home province while in Yukon.
What Documentation Will I Need To Apply For A Yukon Health Card?
To apply for a Yukon health card, you will need to provide 3 pieces of documentation:
- Primary ID which confirms your right to reside in Canada (e.g. birth certificate, Canadian passport, immigration documents)
- Secondary ID (e.g. driver’s licence, previous healthcare card, employment card)
- Proof of residence (e.g. letter from employer, utility bill, rental agreement)
You will need to provide the first two pieces of ID for all family members listed on your application.
How To Apply For A Yukon Health Card
You will have to apply in person for your Yukon health card.
Take photocopies of your document either to the government offices in Whitehorse (4th floor, 204 Lambert Street) or to a Territorial Agent.
What Is Covered By Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan?
YHCIP will cover you for medically necessary healthcare services such as:
- Visits to general practitioners, surgeons and other doctors
- Hospital services
- Medically required diagnostic tests such as X-rays
- Laboratory services (e.g. blood tests)
- Some medically required dental services
- Optometry services for those under 19 from low-income families
Eligible seniors can also register for extended health coverage to assist with dental care, eye care and some prescription drugs.
What Isn’t Covered By Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan?
YHCIP won’t cover you for the following services:
- Prescriptions (apart from during a hospital stay)
- Optometry services/eyeglasses (unless under 19 years old from a low-income family)
- Dental care, unless medically necessary
- Podiatry services
- Complementary treatments such as massage therapy and chiropractic services
- Cosmetic procedures
Many Canadians have private supplementary insurance for medical services that their provincial/territorial plan doesn’t cover. Supplementary health overage is often included in employee benefit packages, or you can acquire your own coverage.
How Do I Register With A Family Doctor In Yukon?
Once you have received your health card, you can register with Find a Family Doctor. This government service will connect you with a family doctor in your area accepting new patients.
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