Temporary Worker Insurance
Protect from medical and financial hardship
Healthcare emergencies happen. If you are a foreign worker in new to Canada, protect yourself and your family from medical and financial hardship.
You can be covered by the medical services insurance for the province you’re in, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. But provincial coverage is seldom enough.
A temporary worker insurance plan can cover emergencies in these situations:
- During the waiting period before provincial coverage starts
- MB, ON, NB: 3 months
- BC, SK: month of arrival + 2 months
- AB, SK, NS, PE, NF: no wait time
- For medical costs like some prescriptions and treatments that aren’t covered by the province
- If your employer doesn’t provide additional health benefits
- If you don’t quality for the provincial plan
Health insurance benefits for temporary foreign workers
- $10,000 to $300,000 for emergency medical care
- Prescription drugs required to treat emergency situations
- Hospitalization fees for a semi-private room
- Ambulance (Ground or Air Transportation)
- Emergency home return by air ambulance or commercial flight with a medical escort
- Coverage for COVID-19
- Professional fees for nurses, physicians and other health care professionals for emergency medical treatment
- Up to $2,000 for emergency dental care treatment as a result of an accident
- Return of deceased
- Up to $1,000 for accommodation and meals if your return is delayed due to a medical emergency
- Up to $300 per profession for physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath or podiatrist services when medically necessary and prescribed by the attending physician
- Trips to other provinces and countries, including the United States may be covered
Compare our temporary foreign worker insurance plan to standard visitor to Canada insurance.
| Benefit | TFW Plan | Standard VTC |
|---|---|---|
| Critical illness – $5,000 paid upon diagnosis of 9 major illnesses | ✔ | ✘ |
| Insulins/needles/syringes for diabetics | ✔ | ✘ |
| Oral contraceptives | ✔ | ✘ |
| Vaccines | ✔ | ✘ |
| Coverage for pre-existing conditions | ✔ | sometimes; with limitations |
| Check up appointment | 1 /year | ✘ |
| Breathing equipment | ✔ | ✘ |
| Orthopedic equipment | ✔ | ✘ |
| Hearing aids | ✔ | ✘ |
| Employers: pay one premium at a per worker/day rate, billed monthly | ✔ | ✘ |
Talk to one of our temporary worker insurance specialists to help you choose the right coverage. As brokers, we work with all major insurers, like Cowan; let us shop the market for you.
Do you work directly with immigrants to help them work in Canada, or consult with employers to help them meet their hiring needs? Learn about our immigration affiliate program.
Get Started with Temporary Worker Insurance
Speak to a member of the MMHI team to help with your insurance needs.
Temporary Foreign Worker Insurance FAQ
1. Why do temporary foreign workers need private insurance?
In Canada, temporary foreign workers are not automatically covered by the public health system. If you get injured or sick before the coverage starts, your medical costs could be expensive. Private health insurance protects you until you qualify for provincial coverage. If you aren't eligible for provincial coverage, it will protect you permanently.
2. Do temporary foreign workers get provincial health insurance?
Yes, some temporary foreign workers qualify for provincial health insurance. But, not everyone. Each province has their own rules. The biggest difference is the waiting period before provincial health insurance can start.
- 3 month wait period: Ontario, Manitoba, and New Brunswick
- Month of arrival + 2 months: British Columbia and Saskatchewan
The rest of the provinces have no waiting period.
3. Does my employer have to provide me with private health insurance?
Yes. Employers must pay for private emergency medical insurance from the day you arrive in Canada until you become eligible for provincial health coverage.
4. What does private health insurance for temporary foreign workers cover?
Most plans include:
- Emergency medical care
- Emergency prescription drugs
- Hospital visits
- Ambulance or emergency transportation
Coverage varies by insurer and employer. This is why talking to a broker like MMHI can help—we can shop the market for you to find insurance that meets your unique needs.
5. Does private insurance cover pre‑existing medical conditions?
Most plans do not cover pre‑existing conditions. If the condition has been stable for a certain period, it may be covered. Even small changes in medication can affect your eligibility.
6. What happens if I get sick or injured at work?
If you get sick or injured at work, you have the same rights as any worker in Canada. Your employer must make sure you can get the medical help you need. And if your working conditions are unsafe, you cannot be forced to work.
7. If I change employers do I lose my insurance?
This depends on your work permit, as the program rules differ. You may need new private insurance until your provincial coverage continues or restarts, if you change employers. So if this applies to you, be sure to ask!
8. What happens to my insurance if I lose my job?
Insurance provided to you by an employer usually ends when your job ends. Employers must give notice or pay in place of notice. This should give you time to arrange new coverage if you need it.
Temporary Foreign Worker Articles
