Nova Scotia MSI
What's Covered Under the Medical Services Insurance Program
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Last updated: June 2025. MSI program details are subject to change. Always confirm current coverage with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nova Scotia MSI is available to permanent residents of Nova Scotia who hold a valid provincial health card. New residents must apply for MSI and may have a waiting period of up to three months before coverage begins. Certain groups, such as members of the Canadian Armed Forces or federal inmates, may not be eligible.
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You can apply for or replace your Nova Scotia health card through ServiceNS, either online, by phone at 1-800-563-8880, or in person at a ServiceNS centre. You'll need to provide proof of identity, residency, and Canadian citizenship or immigration status.
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MSI provides very limited coverage for Nova Scotians travelling outside the province. You will generally only be reimbursed at Nova Scotia rates, which are often lower than what out-of-province providers charge. Travel health insurance or a private supplemental plan is strongly recommended.
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MSI does not cover prescription medications for residents aged 65 and under (outside of eligible Pharmacare programs), paramedical services such as physiotherapy outside hospital settings, vision care for residents aged 10–64, dental care for adults, hearing aids, cosmetic surgery, ambulance transportation between facilities, and private or semi-private hospital room upgrades.
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Yes. Many Nova Scotia residents purchase supplemental private health insurance to cover services MSI doesn't include, like prescription drugs, dental care, vision, and paramedical services. HealthQuotes.ca offers free online quotes from major Canadian insurers with no broker fees.
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New residents of Nova Scotia, including those relocating from another Canadian province, may face a waiting period of up to three months before MSI coverage begins. During this waiting period, you are responsible for any medical costs incurred. It's strongly recommended that you maintain coverage through your previous province for as long as possible and arrange private health insurance to bridge any gap. Once your waiting period ends and your application is processed, you will receive your Nova Scotia health card and MSI coverage will take effect.
Nova Scotia MSI, Hospital Plans: Summary of Benefits
Residents of Nova Scotia are covered for medical expenses under the Medical Services Insurance Program, also known as the Nova Scotia MSI. The province also offers residents the Hospital Insurance Program, which covers hospital-related costs. MSI programs provide eligible residents with coverage for medically required hospital, medical, dental as well as optometric services (restrictions do apply).
Nova Scotia MSI Program Overview
The Medical Services Insurance (MSI) program is administered by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness and provides provincial health coverage to eligible residents. MSI operates alongside the Nova Scotia Hospital Insurance Program, which covers inpatient hospital costs. Together, these programs form the backbone of publicly funded healthcare in the province — but they do not cover everything. Many residents supplement their provincial coverage with a private health insurance plan to fill the gaps.
Nova Scotia MSI Eligibility
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or hold eligible immigration status
Be a permanent resident of Nova Scotia
Apply for and hold a valid Nova Scotia health card
New residents to Nova Scotia may be subject to a waiting period of up to three months before MSI coverage begins. During this time, it's important to maintain coverage from your previous province or arrange private health insurance. Certain groups are excluded from MSI eligibility, including full-time members of the Canadian Armed Forces, federal inmates, and those covered under federal programs.
Coverage Summary
The Nova Scotia government is expanding the dental care available to residents aged 14 or younger. Preventive care will include coverage for molar sealants as well as fluoride treatments.
Services Covered by MSI
Standard level accommodations (standard ward) and meals in hospital.
Medically necessary nursing services.
Laboratory and other diagnostic services if medically necessary (e.g. x-rays, MRIs, CAT scans, etc.).
Physiotherapy if performed in a hospital.
The cost of any medically-necessary treatment within a hospital is generally covered by MSI.
Routine dental for children aged 14 and younger.
Oral and maxillary facial surgeries when medically necessary and done in a hospital.
One eye examination every two years for residents under the age of 10 or over the age of 64 (eye glasses not covered).
There MAY be coverage for prosthetics (e.g. artificial limbs) via Nova Scotia’s Arm and Leg Prosthesis Program (as well as the Workers Compensation Board and First Nations, Inuit and Aboriginal Health plans). See the Rehabilitation & Supportive Care Services web page for more information.
Services Not Covered by MSI
Ambulance services, with the exception of transportation between medical facilities (e.g. hospitals).
Routine dental services (e.g. cleanings, fillings, scalings, etc.) with the exception of people aged 14 and under.
Prescription medications if you are under the age of 65 (there are prescription drug programs that you may qualify for, see below for more information).
Paramedical services such as podiatrists, chiropractors, naturopaths, massage therapists, osteopaths and physiotherapy.
There is very limited medical coverage for Nova Scotians travelling out of province.
Visioncare (e.g. glasses, contact lenses and eye examinations for residents aged 10 to 64).
Durable medical equipment such as crutches or wheelchairs.
Hearing aids. Note that there are exceptions (e.g. the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, or FNIHB).
Difference in cost between standard hospital rooms and semi-private and private rooms.
Cosmetic surgeries.
A private health insurance plan can cover most or all of these gaps at an affordable monthly premium. HealthQuotes.ca compares plans from Canada's major carriers — with no broker fees and no phone call required.
Prescription Drug and Other Programs
Nova Scotia offers Pharmacare programs for those eligible residents who cannot afford their prescriptions and/or supplies. The programs that are currently offered are as follows:
All permanent residents of Nova Scotia who have a valid health card are eligible for this program. The deductible and co-payment is determined via family income and size; families with the greatest need will pay the least amount. Designed for families with no drug coverage or high prescription drug costs.
Residents must have a valid health card, a gross (total) family income of under $35,000/year, and no coverage under any other specialized pharmacare program to receive aid for their medications relating to cancer treatment.
Available to residents who have a valid health card, want to live out the rest of their life (as much as possible) at either home or with family or friends, and are assessed as having 6 months or less to live.
Financial assistance for insulin pumps and pump-related supplies. Covers diabetics 25 or younger. Eligibility is also based on family income and size. For more, click here.
All permanent residents of Nova Scotia who are 65 and older, have no other private or public drug coverage, and have a valid health card are eligible. Designed for elderly residents with no drug coverage or high drug costs. Note that when enrolled in this program, your Health Card becomes your Pharmacare Card.
Provides Pharmacare coverage to Income Assistance clients, Disability Support clients, children in the care of child welfare, and “Low-Income Pharmacare for Children” clients. Many of Nova Scotia’s other pharmacare programs fall under this umbrella.
This program is no longer offered to Nova Scotians. Note: there is an insulin pump program (see below), and there is also a private health insurance plan called ComboPlus Starter that offers 100% coverage for test strips, pens, needles and lances, etc. Call us toll-free at 1-800-474-4474, or get instant online quotes.
Your Nova Scotia Health Card
Your Nova Scotia health card (also called your MSI card) is proof of your provincial health coverage and must be presented when accessing insured medical services. Cards are issued to eligible residents who register with MSI. If you are new to Nova Scotia, lost your card, or need to update your information, you can apply or make changes through ServiceNS online, by phone, or at a ServiceNS centre.
Note: Seniors enrolled in the Senior's Pharmacare program will find their health card also serves as their Pharmacare card.
