Saskatchewan residents are being urged to keep an eye on their mail box over the next few weeks for an important package containing renewal stickers for their Saskatchewan Health Services Card. The majority of provincial health cards expire on December 31, 2011 and the renewal stickers will validate health cards to December 31, 2014.
"The Saskatchewan Health Services Card is a valuable personal identification card, which confirms that a Saskatchewan resident is entitled to health coverage under the provincial health insurance plan," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "It is important that residents always carry a valid health card and present it when receiving health services. As soon as you receive your renewal sticker, please take a moment to place it on the upper right corner of your health card."
Residents are also asked to check the accuracy of information listed on the form at the bottom of their renewal letter and contact Health Registration Branch only if that information needs to be updated. Residents will not be able to receive insured health benefits without a valid Saskatchewan Health Services Card.
The health card renewal packages will be mailed out between September 15 and 30. While the success rate of reaching residents is over 90 per cent, there are always those who are missed because they have not advised Saskatchewan Health of changes to their personal circumstances such as address changes, moves out of province or changes in marital status. Residents who have not received their renewal stickers by mid-October should contact the Health Registration Branch by mail at 100-1942 Hamilton Street, Regina, S4P 4W2; email at hcrenewal@health.gov.sk.ca; fax at 306-787-8951 or by phone at 306-787-3251 or 1-800-667-7551.
The Saskatchewan Health Services card is revalidated every three years, by placing the renewal sticker on the current health card. Health cards were last revalidated in 2008. More than 616,000 Saskatchewan households will be receiving health card renewal packages this year. In addition to the renewal sticker(s), HealthLine sticker(s) with the HealthLine phone number, and organ donor sticker(s) and consent card(s), are included in the renewal package. Residents 18 years of age or older who choose to become an organ donor need to attach the organ donor sticker to their health card, sign the organ donor consent card and keep both in their wallet.
