Saskatchewan's online Health Services Card application service has been expanded to other categories of new residents, including foreign nationals and returning Canadian citizens.
After the service expansion, all new Saskatchewan residents living in the province are eligible to use the online application process.
"We are very pleased to provide a more convenient health benefits registration experience to our new residents," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "Phase one of the integrated online service has been well received by the public. We now feel very confident in extending our online service to better serve even more new residents in the province. This is another example of how we are putting the patient first."
Since its launch in August, more than 1,700 health card applications have been submitted through the online service, averaging 14 applications per day. The number represents approximately 51 per cent of applications received last year during the same period.
Online submissions accompanied by the required documents are handled and finalized within two working days.
Initially, the online service allowed only Canadian citizens and permanent residents moving inter-provincially to access the web-based application. Now, new Saskatchewan residents arriving from other countries are also eligible to use the online service.
Saskatchewan is the first province in Canada to implement an integrated online health card application service. It is estimated that about 15,000 additional people will take advantage of the enhanced process.
The health card online application can be accessed through the Ministry of Health website at www.health.gov.sk.ca, clicking on the health card icon.
For more information on health card and health benefits, please visit http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/how-to-register.
