The new Canada Health Act (CHA) Services Policy came into effect on April 1, 2026. The Canada Health Act is federal legislation that allows Canadians access to medically necessary health care services without financial barriers like extra-billing and user charges. To receive federal funding, provinces and territories must comply with the criteria established in the CHA.
Currently, CHA coverage is limited to medically necessary hospital services and physician services. Coverage does not extend to important areas such as outpatient pharmaceuticals, dental care, long-term care, and many mental health services.