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Newfoundland & Labrador

Provincial disease groups

It is usually possible to get a great deal of assistance and guidance by contacting the not-for-profit organization associated with your condition. Here is a list of the major groups in Newfoundland & Labrador.

• Canadian Cancer Society
• Canadian Diabetes Association
• Asthma Society of Canada
• Heart and Stroke Foundation
• Independent Living Resource Centre
• Canadian Mental Health Association

HEALTH SERVICES

Medical Care Plan (MCP)

There are three components to Newfoundland’s public health insurance: the Medical Care Plan, the Dental Health Plan and the Hospital Insurance Plan. Eligibility for these plans is laid out in the Medical Care Insurance Beneficiaries and Inquiries Regulations (requires Adobe Reader). In general, you must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant and live in Newfoundland for at least four months out of each year in order to qualify. RCMP, members of the armed forces and other Canadians covered by other public health plans are not eligible.

The MCP covers all medically necessary services from doctors, surgeons and specialists, as well as imaging services. Drugs are not covered, nor are imaging services from private clinics. Rehabilitation services from allied health professionals are covered under the Hospital Insurance Plan. More about MCP coverage.

The Dental Health Plan covers children up to age twelve for most common examinations, x-rays and in-office procedures such as fillings. Adults on social assistance and their children 13 and older are covered on a more limited basis. Dental surgery requiring admission to a hospital is covered by the Medical Care Plan (MCP). More about Dental Health Plan coverage.

The Hospital Insurance Plan covers Newfoundlanders for most hospital in-patient and out-patient services as long as they have been recommended by a doctor. Rehabilitation services from allied health professionals are covered under the Hospital Plan as well. In-patient drugs are covered, but out-patient drugs are not, except for anti-rejection drugs for transplant patients and AZT for AIDS patients. More about Hospital Plan coverage.

Download the MCP registration form (requires Adobe Reader).

Contact MCP, the Dental Health Plan and the Hospital Insurance Plan:
MCP offices are located at 22 High Street in Grand Falls-Windsor and in the former Belvedere Orphanage building, 57 Margaret's Place (off Newtown Road) in St. John's.

Mailing:
Newfoundland & Labrador Medical Care Plan
P.O. Box 5000
22 High Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
A2A 2Y4

Main Switchboard, connecting all Departments: (709) 292-4000

MCP coverage outside Newfoundland & Labrador

If you are travelling in Canada and expect to be gone past the end of the month in which you leave, you should obtain an Out-of-Province Coverage Certificate from the Medical Care Plan (MCP). This certificate will ensure that you remain covered for up to 12 months. You can extend your certificate’s coverage if you are travelling for work or study.

Do keep in mind that if you travel to Quebec, you may be billed directly for medical services. You can claim those expenses back from MCP when you return to Newfoundland by submitting an Out-of-Province Claim form and attaching your itemized, original bills and receipts.

Read more about MCP out-of-province coverage.
Download Out-of-Province Coverage application (requires Adobe Reader).
Download Out-of-Province Claim form (requires Adobe Reader).

If you need a medical treatment that is not available in Newfoundland but is available in another province in Canada, MCP will cover the cost at that province’s rates, provided the treatment is on MCP’s list of insured services.

MCP coverage outside Canada

The Medical Care Plan (MCP) will cover doctor bills and emergency hospital services incurred outside Canada, but only at the same rate as if those services were provided in Newfoundland. This means, in many countries, that your bill will be significantly higher than the amount reimbursed by the MCP. To protect yourself, it is highly recommended that you purchase private travel insurance for even short trips out of the country.

To claim your out-of-country expenses, submit an Out-of-Province Claim form to MCP, attaching itemized, original bills and receipts.

Download Out-of-Province Claim form (requires Adobe Reader).

If you need an MCP-insured medical service that is not available in Newfoundland or elsewhere in Canada, your doctor can request approval from MCP to have you receive the treatment outside the country. Note: such treatments will be covered on a prior approval basis only, and MCP may not agree to pay the entire cost if the bill is found to be excessive. Again, you will need itemized, original bills and receipts in order to claim the charges when you return.

Prescription Drug Program

The Newfoundland & Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP) is designed to assist those with unusually high drug costs or who cannot afford medications. Low-income Newfoundlanders, seniors and people with specific diseases are targeted. There is usually a small deductible which is adjusted based on your ability to pay. Find out more about the NLPDP.

NLPDP Assessment Office
P.O. Box 510
Stephenville, NL
A2N 3B4
Toll-free: 1-888-859-3535
E-mail: lidpinfo@gov.nl.ca

NLPDP – Claims Processing Office
P.O. Box 8070, Postal Station A
St. John's, NL
A1B 4A6

Phone: (709) 753-3615
Fax: (709) 739-2929
E-mail: nlpdp@xwave.com

Allied health professionals

Services from many allied health professionals are covered by the Hospital Insurance Plan as long as they are prescribed as part of a rehabilitation program by a doctor. Usually, you will be referred directly to an appropriate allied health professional by your doctor. However, you may wish to choose a different provider or obtain services without a referral. Check the links below to search online for many common kinds of allied health professional.

Locate a...

• audiologist
• chiropractor
• dentist
• dietitian
• massage therapist
• midwife: Contact the Association of Midwives of Newfoundland & Labrador at (709) 777-8140.
• occupational therapist
• optometrist
• physiotherapist
• psychologist

Cancer care

The Newfoundland Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation (NCTRF) coordinates cancer care across the province and runs the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Centre in St. John’s. There are four regional NCTRF cancer programs and three clinics in Burin, Labrador and Goose Bay.

Newfoundland Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation
Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Centre
300 Prince Phillip Drive
St. John's, NF
A1B 3V6

Phone: (709) 777-6480
Fax: (709) 753-0927

Flu shot

See our Flu Vaccination Guide for information about seasonal flu vaccine availability by province or territory.

Mental health care

Mental health care is delivered through the regular medical system in Newfoundland. If your doctor suspects a mental health issue, he can refer you to a psychiatrist which will be covered by the Medical Care Plan (MCP).

The Department of Health and Community Services has a Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-737-4668.

You can also contact the Newfoundland branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association for expert guidance on what to do next.

Addiction services are offered through the regional health authorities and the inpatient program at Humberwood Centre in Corner Brook. You can find a list of addictions and mental health phone contacts on the Health and Community Services Addiction Services page.

Department of Health and Community Services
P.O. Box 8700
Main Floor, West Block
Confederation Building
100 Prince Philip Drive
St. John's, NL A1B 4J6
Phone: (709) 729-4984
E-mail: healthinfo@gov.nl.ca

Palliative care

If you and your doctor opt to move you to palliative care, you may be able to get care in your home or a palliative care hospice through your regional health authority (RHA). There is a fee for these services that is adjusted depending on your ability to pay. A caseworker from the RHA will assess you and determine what care will be made available.

You can search for palliative care hospices through the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care website.

Wait times

Newfoundland does not post surgical wait times online yet, but you can find a quarterly update on the provincial waits in this press release. The waits are expressed as a percentage of procedures that occur in equal to or less than the national benchmark time.

See the article on wait times on this website for helpful advice and information on how to receive faster service for surgical procedures, certain diagnostic tests (such as an MRI) and appointments with a specialist doctor.

Workplace injuries

If you are injured on the job in Newfoundland & Labrador you may be able to receive compensation and other assistance from the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC). To be eligible for compensation, it is imperative that you report your injury to your employer as quickly as possible. Then you must seek medical attention and follow all instructions given to you by health professionals. Finally, you need to fill out “Form 6” (requires Adobe Reader) and fax it to WHSCC at (709) 778-1302.

Depending on your injury and the nature of your work you may be eligible for replacement of lost wages, compensation for permanent disability, assistance with medical and drug costs and/or occupational therapy and retraining.

146-148 Forest Road
P.O. Box 9000
St. John’s, NL
A1A 3B8

Phone: (709) 778-1000
Toll-free: 1-800-563-9000
Fax: (709) 738-1714

Telephone support

You can call HealthLine any time at 1-888-709-2929 and speak with a registered nurse about a health problem. The nurse will listen to your symptoms and give you advice on what to do next. The service is free through the Department of Health and Community Services. Find out more about HealthLine.

DISABILITY SUPPORT

Assistive devices

If you have a low income or are receiving care from your Regional Health Authority (RHA) at home or in a residential facility, you may be eligible to get assistive devices on a free or cost-shared basis. To find out more, call the Department of Health & Community Services General Inquiries line at (709) 729-4984.

The Canadian Red Cross may also be able to provide a medical equipment loan, if they have the particular item you need. To find out, contact your local Red Cross office.

Regional Office of the Newfoundland & Labrador Red Cross
17 Majors Path
St. John's, NL
A1A 4Z9

Phone: (709) 758-8400
Fax: (709) 758-8417

Employment support for people with disabilities

Newfoundlanders with a disability can access employment counselling and assessment, employment planning, pre-employment training, post-secondary education, skills training, technical aids and other supports through the Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPD). The program is offered through Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and there is usually no cost for the services. Find out more about LMAPD.

Financial support for people with a disability

The Department of Health and Community Services helps Newfoundlanders with disabilities cover the costs of housing, accessibility renovations and community access programs. It also provides a flat rate allowance to cover other costs associated with independent living.

Income assistance is available for low-income Newfoundlanders through the Income Support Program of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. You can receive coverage for prescription drugs, eyewear, dental, medical transportation and special diet through this program.

There are extra supports available to families with children that have special needs through the Special Child Welfare Allowance Program and Intervention Services.

Find out more about supports for persons with disabilities.

Home care and assisted living

There are three levels of housing support for Newfoundlanders with a disability through the Department of Health and Community Services:

Alternative Family Care Homes provide long-term lodging with family in a private home setting. Support and oversight comes from the Regional Health Authority.

The Cooperative Apartment Program is intended to act as a springboard to more independent community living. Up to three adults with a disability live in a rented house operated by an incorporated community board and staffed by a live-in supervisor.

The Home Services Program supports Newfoundlanders with a disability who live independently in the community. Participants in the program are given funds with which to hire homemakers, attendants and other non-professional support personnel to assist them as necessary.

It is also possible to find supported living solutions through the Newfoundland & Labrador Association for Community Living.

The Independent Living Resource Centre is an online guide for people with disabilities who are living in the community.

Assistance for seniors living at home is available through your Regional Health Authority (RHA). RHAs also operate long term care facilities which are covered by MCP. You can contact your RHA by calling the Department of Health and Community Services General Inquiries line at (709) 729-4984.

Respite services

Respite for caregivers of seniors and children and adults with disabilities can be obtained from your Regional Health Authority (RHA) for a daily fee. To learn more, call the Department of Health and Community Services General Inquiries line at (709) 729-4984.

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Medical records

Doctors in Newfoundland must allow patients to see their medical records within 30 days of receiving a written request. They can charge only a “reasonable” fee for copies of the records.

A doctor may refuse to show information from your record that could cause harm to you or someone else, for instance, a note suspecting mental illness or abuse. A doctor may also hold back information that might compromise the confidentiality of a third party.

You are allowed to insert a note into your file correcting any information that you feel is in error.

If you have concerns about how your medical information is handled, contact a Regional Access and Privacy Coordinator.

Power of Attorney and other legal relationships

Please note: The information provided here is provided for information purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.

When you grant someone Power of Attorney, you grant them the legal power to act as if they were you for the purposes of handling your property. You can specify any time period and range of powers for the Power of Attorney, up to and including ongoing full access to all your financial affairs. It is important to note that a regular Power of Attorney is only valid as long as you have the ability to direct his or her actions, and that the Power of Attorney agreement in no way replaces your authority over your own affairs. An Enduring Power of Attorney continues to stay in effect in the event that you lose the ability to make your own decisions. This agreement can only be made while you are still competent. It is not necessary to use a lawyer to create a Power of Attorney or an Enduring Power of Attorney, but it is advisable.

An agent with Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney does not have the power to make personal or health care decisions for you. In order to grant that power to another person, you need to make a living will. In the living will, you can set out your desires for care, or withholding of care, in different health scenarios. You can also appoint an alternate decision maker to make critical decisions for you. Living wills must be in writing and witnessed by two adults who are not your alternate decision maker. It is not necessary to have a lawyer make up a living will, but it is a good idea.

Living wills are not binding in Newfoundland. This means that your instructions in a living will may not be carried out if health professionals or a family member strongly object. The purpose of the document is to express your wishes in clear terms, and to designate your alternate decision maker.

Estates Division
Supreme Court of Newfoundland & Labrador (Trial Division)
401-136 Crosbie Rd.
Viking Building
St. John's, NL
A1B 3K3
Phone: (709) 729-0850
Fax: (709) 729-3063
website: www.justice.gov.nl.ca

Regulatory and administrative bodies

The Medical Care Plan (MCP) is the public health insurer in Newfoundland, under the auspices of the Department of Health and Community Services.

Community health care is delivered in Newfoundland by the Regional Health Authorities. To find out more, contact the Department of Health and Community Services General Inquiries line at (709) 729-4984.

Doctors are licenced and regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland & Labrador. Nurses are regulated by the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland & Labrador.