Family Members of Military Have Immediate Health Coverage in Nova Scotia

Family members of Canadian Armed Forces personnel now have access to medical coverage on their first day in Nova Scotia, when re-locating from another province or territory.

"We value the tremendous work of our Canadian Armed Forces members, and we want to make sure that their family members are taken care of as well," said Leo Glavine, Minister of Health and Wellness. "We have amended our policy to give family members first-day coverage for all insured services, including provincial programs such as the Children's Oral Health Program and home care."

Before today, April 1, family members of Canadian Armed Forces personnel had to wait 90 days after relocating to Nova Scotia before being covered by the Nova Scotia Health Plan. During this time, they were still covered by their previous province.

"Moving to a new province is one of the biggest challenges we faced as a military family," said Lisa Downing, a military family member. "The added stress of waiting three months for my family to get provincial health coverage was worrisome for us. To see this wait period waived for Canadian Forces families is very exciting.

"It's one less thing to worry about and will surely help ease the burden of moving to Nova Scotia for military families who are being posted here."