Under certain circumstances, you may retain limited coverage while away for up to one year provided you intend to return here to live.

You may retain limited coverage while away for the purposes of a vacation, visit, business engagement or employment up to one year provided you intend to return to Saskatchewan to live.

In all situations where you will be temporarily absent from the province for more than
three months, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health requires you to let Saskatchewan Health Registration know:

• the date you intend to leave Saskatchewan
• your intended return date
• the reason for your absence from the province

Following any extended absence from the province, you need to contact the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health to ensure your Saskatchewan Health Services card is still active and you are entitled to benefits.

If you obtain a work contract outside Canada for up to 24 months, you may be eligible for limited out-of-Canada benefits for the period of your work contract. These limitations are significant. The costs outside Canada are often much higher than in Saskatchewan. For this reason, we strongly recommend residents carry extra medical insurance when working temporarily outside Canada.

To retain coverage, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health requires you to provide Saskatchewan Health Registration with:

• the date you intend to leave Saskatchewan
• your intended return date
• a copy of your work contract

For more information, contact:

Health Registration Branch
1-800-667-7551 (no charge, in-province only)
(306) 787-3251 (Regina area, or when calling from outside Saskatchewan)