Is it possible to get medical help for a child without insurance?

Children can receive emergency medical care in Canada even without provincial insurance, but with restrictions and high costs. The federal IFHP program covers refugees and asylum seekers, and some provinces have waiting periods of up to 3 months for new residents. Specialized public health centers in large cities provide free services to uninsured children.

1. General situation with health insurance for children

Categories of uninsured children

• Newly arrived permanent residents (waiting period up to 3 months)

• Refugees and asylum seekers (limited IFHP coverage)

• Undocumented children without legal status

• Children in the “gray zone” with documentation issues

Approximately 150,000 children may be uninsured, 50–75% of whom are newly arrived.

2. Emergency medical care without insurance

Legal guarantees

All hospitals are required to provide emergency care regardless of insurance status.

Cost of emergency services

In Ontario without OHIP: initial visit – $80, routine examination – $40, consultation – $180.

3. IFHP Federal Program

Who is eligible

• Asylum seekers

• Resettled refugees

• Protected persons in waiting

• Victims of human trafficking

IFHP coverage

• Basic: inpatient/outpatient services, licensed practitioners, prenatal and postnatal care, diagnostics, emergency

• Additional: dentistry, ophthalmology, prosthetics, long-term care, psychological counseling, prescription drugs

4. Provincial waiting periods

| Province | Waiting period | Exceptions for children |

|-----------------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------| | Ontario | 3 months | Children under 16; Canadian newborns | | British Columbia | 2 months + remainder of month | — | | Quebec | 3 months | Cancelled for minors as of 2021 | | Saskatchewan | 3 months | — |

Immediate coverage in: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Alberta.

5. Community health centers

Ontario

• 75 centers (CHCs) for the uninsured
• 22 medical centers in Toronto for undocumented immigrants

Specialized clinics

• Thrive Clinic (Ontario): free services for children 0–5 years old

• POP Clinic (Toronto): for vulnerable refugee children, in partnership with the Hospital for Sick Children

Quebec

• Maison Bleue (Montreal): for marginalized and uninsured individuals

6. Special programs for Ukrainian refugees

• Waiting periods waived for Ukrainians
• Priority care in children's hospitals (e.g., Hospital for Sick Children)

7. Barriers and challenges

• Language barriers
• Lack of a family doctor
• Transportation difficulties
• Lack of vaccination history
• Financial consequences of high bills

8. Alternative resources

• Health Link (811): free 24/7 advice, translation in over 240 languages

• Pharmacies: basic advice, some vaccines, treatment for minor conditions

• School programs: nurses, vaccinations, partnerships with health centers

9. Recommendations for parents

Emergency assistance

1. Do not delay in calling an ambulance or going to the hospital

2. Inform them of your language needs — interpreters are available

3. Learn about financial assistance programs

Planned care

1. Find your nearest public health center
2. Contact organizations for refugees and immigrants
3. Register with Health Link (811)
4. Check your eligibility for IFHP

Documentation

• Keep medical records
• Get written estimates
• Ask about payment plans
• Contact hospital social workers

10. Future changes and policy

• Calls to eliminate waiting periods for all children
• Expansion of IFHP and funding for community health centers
• Precedent of emergency care for Ukrainian refugees as a model for responding to migration crises

Although the system is not perfect for the uninsured, Canada guarantees emergency care and has support programs through public health centers and federal initiatives.