Saskatchewan Health Plan: Summary of Benefits

Saskatchewan Health Plan is the provincial healthcare plan that is available to all permanent Saskatchewan residents.

Please use the following as a concise summary of Saskatchewan’s health care plan.Affordable Health & Dental Plans

We offer health plans that:

• Have no medical questions.
• Are guaranteed acceptance.
• Come with instant, online quotes.

Health and dental coverage starting from $64.80 per month!

Important: as of July 1, 2017, chiropractic services will not be covered (even if you are eligible for Family Health Benefits or the Supplementary Health Benefit Program). Standard podiatry services and the Hearing Aid Plan have also been discontinued, although they are still covered if you qualify for the Family Health Benefits or Supplementary Health Benefit Programs.

Saskatchewan Health Plan Benefits

The following health services are fully covered by Saskatchewan Health:

• All medically necessary services provided by physicians (inpatient/outpatient).
• Physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
• Screening mammography for women 50-69 via the Provincial Screening Program for Breast Cancer.
• Some immunization services.
• Sexually transmitted infections (STI) treatment.
• HIV testing which can be done anonymously.
• Drug, alcohol abuse and gambling addiction treatment (done through the Saskatchewan Health Authority or Metis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Incorporated).
• Mental health services via the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
• Supplementary health services for residents who are recommended by Social Services. Supplementary services consist of coverages like dental services, prescription drug costs, medical supplies, podiatry/chiropody and transportation costs resulting from a medical emergency.
• Family health benefits: provided to low-income families who qualify. Benefits are the same as the supplementary services mentioned above, and are primarily for children under 18.
• Home care services provided for free are: case assessment, home nursing and physical/occupational therapy. For partially covered homecare services see below.
• Some major dental services such as medically necessary dental surgery, extraction of teeth, and dental implants MAY be covered (routine dental services are not covered). Click here for more information (see the “Dental Services” section).

Saskatchewan Health Plan offers partial coverage for:

• Air ambulance as a result of transportation to get medical services not available in Saskatchewan (there is a $350 fee). Must be ordered by a physician.
• Ground ambulance for seniors (there is a maximum fee of $275).
• The following public homecare services are partially covered: homemaking, meals and home maintenance. A fee will be charged, based on the resident’s income and services received. Private home care services are not covered.
• Long term care costs, unless the resident is assessed as “Level 1”. Resident charges are based on the income of the resident.
• Podiatry/chiropodist services (inserts are not covered though).
• As of July 1, 2017, coverage for hearing-related services (e.g. tests, counselling, hearing aid fittings, etc.) is only available if you qualify for the Family Health Benefits or the Supplementary Benefits Program.
• Optometric services: coverage for an annual eye exam for residents who: are less than 18 years old or; have diabetes or; have suffered some sort trauma to an eye. See Vision Care and Canadian Health Insurance for more information.

There is no coverage for:

• Prescription drugs, unless you qualify for a drug program (see below).
• Routine dental services such as cleanings, scalings, fillings, etc.
• Ground ambulance transportation, unless you are a senior (there is partial coverage for seniors, see “Partial Coverage” above).
• Air ambulance, unless it is necessary to get treatment not available in Saskatchewan (in which case there is a $350 fee).
• Eye glasses, lenses, etc. although there MAY be limited coverage for glasses if enrolled in the Family Health Benefits program.
• Most paramedical services such as psychologists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, registered massage therapists, etc.

Drug Plans and Extended Benefits Plans

Saskatchewan Health provides numerous specialty drug plans and extended benefits for those who qualify (see below). For more information go to their Extended Benefits and Drug Plan web page.

• Children’s Drug Plan: maximum of $25 for prescription drugs for children aged 14 and under.
• Emergency Assistance for Prescription Drugs: one-time emergency assistance if a resident cannot afford necessary prescription drugs.
• Seniors Drug Plan: residents aged 65 years or older only pay up to $25 for necessary prescription drugs.
• Exception Drug Status: coverage for specific prescription drugs, as recommended by the Drug Advisory Committee of Saskatchewan.
• Family Health Benefits: health benefits (including but not limited to prescription drugs) for low-income families who: have a low family income, or; are on Saskatchewan Employment Supplement, or; are on Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement.
• Guaranteed Income Supplement for Seniors: a monthly benefit for residents receiving Old Age Security who have a low income.
• Palliative Care Drug Coverage: prescription drug coverage for palliative care patients in the late stages of a terminal illness. Does not provide drugs for terminal cancer patients (The Allan Blair Cancer Centre and the Saskatoon Cancer Centre Pharmacy provide free drug coverage to registered cancer patients).
• Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living (SAIL) program: financial assistance for residents with physical disabilities. It also provides assistance to residents in order to manage certain chronic medical conditions.
• Seniors Income Plan (SIP): financial assistance to seniors aged 65 and over to help them meet their basic needs (including, but not limited to, prescription drugs).
• Supplementary Health Benefits: provides assistance for non-insured benefits to residents who are government wards, inmates of correctional institutions, or are enrolled in one of the income support programs.
• High Drug Cost Assistance: provides assistance with high drug costs (in relation to your income).
• Saskatchewan Insulin Pump Program: financial assistance for residents under the age of 26 who require an insulin pump and have Type 1 diabetes.

Emergency Transportation Services

No one is refused ambulance transportation. For full ambulance service details see the Saskatchewan Ambulance Services web page.

There are ambulance fees that depend on the type of transportation, as follows:

• Ground ambulance fees:
  • A pick-up rate ($245 to $325).
  • Distance rate (per kilometer) for rural (country) residents to be transported to a medical centre.
  • Waiting time rate ($50 to $100), for when an ambulance has to wait to transport a patient back home.
  • Special escort fee if you have to be accompanied by a medical professional while being transported.
• Saskatchewan Air Ambulance fees:
  • Flat rate of $424.
  • Patients are responsible for ambulance costs incurred to and from airport.
• STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society):
  • Air medical transportation provided by STARS, a non-profit organization.
  • $424 air ambulance fee (per flight).
• Specialized Transportation Services:
• Saskatchewan Pediatric Transport Service: transportation for children.
• Northern Medical Transportation: funding for medical transportation in northern Saskatchewan. Can be emergency and non-emergency transportation via air or ground.
• Saskatchewan Neonatal Transportation Service: transportation for infants.

– for full details please visit the Saskatchewan Health government web site –

Protect yourself from costs not covered by Saskatchewan Health. Get free, instant health insurance quotes!
(please consider sharing this article)

Last updated March 2018