Released on August 4, 2011
Canadian citizens and permanent residents moving to Saskatchewan from other provinces or territories will now be able to apply online for a Saskatchewan Health Services Card.
"Our ministry is committed to ensuring a customer focused approach that improves the timeliness, efficiency and quality of care," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "We want to make it easier for new Saskatchewan residents to register for health benefits and we are pleased to offer this online service to people moving to our province."
The online application is a convenient way to register for a health card and is designed to guide the applicant through the registration process. New residents that choose to complete their application online will receive immediate feedback that the application has been successfully submitted. They can also obtain status updates which include notification of the date they can expect to receive their Health Services Card.
Saskatchewan is the first province in Canada to implement an integrated online health card application service. The first phase will provide the online registration option to Canadian citizens and permanent residents moving inter-provincially. The ministry intends to expand this service in the near future to other categories of new Saskatchewan residents, including those arriving from other countries.
If the number of people moving to Saskatchewan remains similar to last year, approximately 17,000 people could benefit from the online application process.
The health card online application can be accessed through the Ministry of Health website at www.health.gov.sk.ca. For more information on health card and health benefits the public can visit www.health.gov.sk.ca/how-to-register.
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For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca