Permanent leave

If you plan to leave New Brunswick to establish permanent residence elsewhere in Canada, you will receive coverage for New Brunswick insured services up to the last day of the second month following the month of arrival in your new province. For example, if you establish permanent residence in another province on February 28th, February will count as your month of arrival and the months of March and April as the following two. Therefore your last day of New Brunswick Medicare coverage will be April 30th. Registry in the new province must be done immediately upon arrival to ensure continuous coverage.

If the move is outside Canada, New Brunswick Medicare coverage will end on the date of departure. In either case, please contact New Brunswick Medicare with your date of departure.

Temporary leave

It is recommended that in all instances of temporary leave (one month or more), you should notify New Brunswick Medicare in order to maintain your Medicare eligibility and ensure there is no delay in payment should you require and receive physician and/or hospital services during your absence. 

Permanent New Brunswick residents who plan to be temporarily absent from New Brunswick for a vacation, visit or business trip, remain insured during their absence, provided they live in New Brunswick for at least six months (183 days – consecutive or not) during a 12 month period.

You may be temporarily absent from New Brunswick for up to 182 days (consecutive or not) in a 12 month period without it affecting your coverage, provided your intention is to resume permanent residence in New Brunswick. If you need to be absent for more than 182 days, you must submit a written request to New Brunswick Medicare asking that your eligibility be maintained during your absence. Your eligibility can be extended for up to 12 months beyond the original 182 days. This type of request can only be granted once every three years.

Mobile and contract workers

Mobile workers, such as pilots or truck drivers, whose employment requires them to travel frequently outside the province, must apply for “mobile worker” status. The status is assigned for a maximum of two years, after which time you must reapply and resubmit documentation to continue your “mobile worker” status.

New Brunswick residents accepting an out-ofcountry work contract must apply for a “contract worker” status which is assigned for up to a maximum of two years.