If you work in New Brunswick through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, your employer is responsible for purchasing private health insurance for you, unless you are eligible for Medicare. When you start work, your employer or supervisor is obligated to give you information about your insurance, including your health insurance number.

Most migrant workers in New Brunswick are covered under the companies, Blue Cross and Cowan Insurance

If you are with Blue Cross -

Blue Cross requires that you have your health insurance number before they will answer your questions over the phone.

If you are with Cowan Insurance -

You should be able to call or email Cowan Insurance to find out if you have coverage with them. If you have insurance with Cowan, you can learn more about your coverage and make changes to your account. The service is confidential. You can reach Cowan Insurance, toll free, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at: 1-888-509-7797. There is a translation line available for a number of languages, including Spanish, Tagalog, and Arabic. Cowan can also be reached by email at: clients@cowangroup.ca.

You will need to provide them with your first and last name and birth date, the name of your employer, and the address of their business (or the address on their file). Most likely it will be the address on your work permit. The Cowan customer service agent will check their system and see if they have you listed. Be sure to confirm that they have the correct spelling of your name and birth date. If they are having trouble finding you, it does not necessarily mean you aren’t covered.

If you know you are covered under Cowan Insurance and you have your health insurance certificate number, that is helpful, but it should not be necessary. If you have trouble getting support over the phone, contact us.

Assuming the person does find you in their system, they can help you do a number of things. You can ask for your personal email and home address to be put on your file, and for them to send you a Welcome Package and a copy of your health insurance card (if you did not receive them). All of this information can be sent to you over email, if that works best for you. If you do not want your employer to receive any information or money on your behalf from the insurance company, you need to make sure that the phone agent changes all contact information on your account. If you have a Canadian banking account, you can receive money back from the company once you have submitted a claim for eligible services. Your Welcome Package should include a bank form with direct deposit information. Fill this out, take a photo of it, and send it as an attachment to: clients@cowangroup.ca. If you do not have a Canadian bank account and you wish to receive money in the form of a cheque, ask the agent to make a note about this on your account and give them your mailing address.

Submit claim forms as quickly as possible. This is especially important if you are going to receive a cheque, as it can take two weeks or more for you to receive it.

You may also have access to your health insurance account online here - https://clients.cowangroup.ca/clients/content/login/login.cfm

If you submitted a claim and it was denied, you can call and ask why the claim was denied. It may be that you submitted for a service that you do not have coverage for. But if there is some other reason it was denied, you may be successful if you resubmit a claim.

If you need assistance at any point in the process of accessing or using your medical insurance, contact us: info@madhucentre.ca or 1 506 251-7467 (Migrant Workers Alliance for Change)

Employers must make reasonable efforts to provide access to health care services if a temporary foreign worker becomes ill or injured at work.

Reasonable efforts may consist of:

• providing phone or internet access to contact emergency services;

• driving the worker to a health care provider;

• calling the appropriate health care provider (such as a doctor, ambulance, or 911);

• arranging for someone else (such as another worker or a taxi driver) to drive the worker to a health care provider;

• allowing the health care provider access to the temporary foreign worker at the workplace, if required;

• encouraging the temporary foreign worker to obtain medicine or medical devices (such as crutches, bandages, splints, casts), if required.

…

The employer is required to help arrange the worker’s transportation to a medical facility, but is not required to pay for this transportation.

While there is no obligation under the current regulations to provide assistance to temporary foreign workers outside of working hours, employers are encouraged by the federal government to help workers who may need support.

SAWP Workers from the Caribbean

Your government provides your health insurance. You must submit receipts for medical services to your liaison officer.

Mexican Workers under SAWP

If you are from Mexico, your supplementary health insurance is from Cigna, a company administered by the Cowan Group.

Usually, you will be asked to pay up front for health services, whether or not they are covered by the policy. Keep your receipt, and submit it to Cigna. If the insurance covers that medical service, you will be reimbursed. You can ask if the clinic or hospital is part of Cowan’s Preferred Provider Network. If it is, they may be able to charge the insurance company instead of you, or they may be able to charge you only the amount you have to pay (your co-pay amount), and charge the rest to Cigna.

Cowan Insurance’s benefits for migrant workers under SAWP include Cigna-Telehealth, and ALAViDA (Substance Use Management Program). For more information about these benefits in Spanish and English: https://migrantworkerhub.ca/migrant-resource/cowan-insurance-updates-seasonal-agricultural-worker-program-government-of-mexico/

Cigna-Telehealth is a program that allows you to place a request for a doctor’s visit and to see a doctor within 24–72 hours. No deductibles or coinsurance payments. You can get referrals to specialists and prescriptions for medication. You can request an appointment using the Teladoc Global Health Complete App. To download the app for free, visit the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

This is an English-language video guide to using the Teladoc app to request and schedule an appointment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWgyC_RNhEw

You can also request an appointment by calling Cigna Toll Free from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, at: 1-888-509-7797.

If you do not speak English or French, you can press 1 for the English option, and then press 2 for the group benefits line. If you have your health insurance certificate number, enter it after the recorded voice requests it. If you do not have it, press the # key. You will then be transferred to a customer service agent. Once a person picks up the phone, let them know you need Spanish interpretation services. Then you can book an appointment in Spanish. The medical professional who serves you will also speak Spanish.

ALAViDA (Substance Use Management Program) is a private and confidential app created to support people with tools to reach goals with consumption tracking, progress reporting, self-guided therapy and a library of educational content.

For more information on key benefits for Mexican Seasonal Agricultural Workers in English, French or Spanish, visit: https://migrantworkerhub.ca/migrant-resource/benefit-summary-mexico-canada-seasonal-agricultural-workers-program/

Please contact us for assistance if you are unable to access information about your benefits from your employer.

Applying for Medicare

Medicare is public health insurance that is provided by the provincial government.

If you have a work permit of 12 months or longer, or you can prove residency in New Brunswick for the year, you are eligible for Medicare in the province.

If you cannot initially prove a year-long residency in New Brunswick, you may also become eligible for Medicare if you have two separate work permits that add up to 12 months or longer. To be eligible, you must remain in New Brunswick, including during the period between the two permits. The time between the permits cannot be longer than 6 months.

If you qualify for Medicare, you can request a refund (your money back) for medical services you paid for in the 6 months prior to the second work permit. If those services fall under Medicare coverage, the province will pay for them. Keep all receipts for medical services, even if they are incurred during the first work permit. Also keep all work permit documentation.

To apply for Medicare, fill out the Medicare application form. Once you complete the form, you can submit it through the mail, with copies of the documentation requested, or in person at a Service New Brunswick office.

You will need to provide a copy of something with your address on it as proof that you are living in New Brunswick, as well as a copy of your work permit or other document of status in Canada.

You can expect to wait:

- 4 to 6 weeks to hear back on your application, once it has been received by Medicare. If your application is accepted, your eligibility letter can be used to access medical services. If it is not accepted, you can appeal the decision. (If you need medical care before you receive your Medicare card, you will be billed. Keep all receipts if you pay, or keep the bills. As long as you fit their eligibility requirements and the services are covered by Medicare, you will be reimbursed.)

- 3 to 5 more weeks to receive your Medicare card

If you do not receive your number or card, or your application is rejected, please contact the Medicare Advocate: MedCA@gnb.ca or call 1 506 453-4227

If you need further assistance, or would like our support in reaching out to the Medicare Advocate, please contact info@madhucentre.ca or call 1 506 251-7467 (Migrant Workers Alliance for Change).

The Madhu Centre is working on a campaign for Medicare Upon Arrival for all migrant workers.

If you have Medicare, you can access free services at walk-in clinics and hospital Emergency Rooms. To find the location of the walk-in clinic closest to you, visit:

https://www.nbms.nb.ca/walk-in-clinics/ or call 211 NB. Dial 2-1-1, tell them where you are, and ask for walk-in clinic information for your area.

To find the Emergency Room nearest you, visit www.nb.211.ca and search for “Hospitals” or call 211 NB. Dial 2-1-1, tell them where you are, and ask for Emergency Room information for your area. Some Emergency Rooms are open 24 hours a day, while others are only open for part of the day.

If you do not have a Medicare card, you will be charged a fee for your visit to a walk-in clinic or hospital emergency room. You will receive a bill for this service in the mail.

eVisitNB and Maple

If you have a Medicare card, you can see a health care provider for free online at eVisitNB.

If you do not have a Medicare card or number, you will need to pay for your online appointment and book through Maple. Fees start at $69 per visit.

The eVisitNB/Maple option may work best for you if you do not have access to transportation, or if you cannot take time off work for an appointment. As wait times can vary, you may want to schedule an appointment on your day or days off.

eVisitNB provides video, messaging and telephone consultations for minor illnesses, injuries and mental health concerns, including:

primary care scheduled appointments with doctors

primary care on-demand services

on-demand and pre-booked clinic appointments with a nurse practitioner

including access to a LGBTQ+ nurse practitioner

diabetes education

mental health care by licensed counselling therapists

mental health care by primary care practitioners

travel health consultations

There are two kinds of medicines in Canada: over-the-counter medications, which you can buy without a prescription, and prescription medications. You cannot fill a prescription from another country in Canada. You will need to get a prescription from a Canadian doctor, either through a walk-in clinic, or by visiting your own doctor. If you have Medicare, you can register for NB Healthlink and be assigned to a clinic near you. Visit this website to register.

For more information about prescription medications in Canada, including the amount of medication that you can travel with and a list of drugs that can legally be prescribed in Canada, visit this website.

If you have Medicare, but do not have any private insurance, you can register for the New Brunswick Drug Plan. The New Brunswick Drug Plan is a prescription drug plan that provides drug coverage for uninsured New Brunswick residents who have an active Medicare card.

The drugs covered by the Plan are listed in the New Brunswick Drug Plans Formulary.

Information about the New Brunswick Drug Plan may be obtained by calling 1-855-540-7325 or emailing info@nbdrugs-medicamentsnb.ca.

Visit this website to learn how the Drug Plan works and to enrol.

The federal government is about to table pharmacare legislation this year, which would give access to free medicine to more people in Canada. Whether that program will be open to temporary residents is not known. To find out more about the fight for universal pharmacare, visit the Council of Canadians’ pharmacare campaign page.

To schedule an appointment for a vaccine or booster, as well as to get a record of your vaccine history (if you got previous COVID vaccines while in New Brunswick):

Call 1-833-437-1424 or visit this website.

Click here to access Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Awareness resources are available in multiple languages including Espanol, Tagalog, etc.

For information on whether COVID numbers are low to very high, and whether they are increasing, decreasing or stable, visit the government of Canada’s database here.

Visit the Emergency Health and Social Services page for information about crisis lines and other mental health services.

According to the Cooper Institute, “living and working in another country can be difficult. You are away from your friends and family. The culture and language may be new to you. You may be working long hours. All these things can cause feelings of loneliness, frustration, and worry.

Here are some things you can do to take care of yourself:

Eat a healthy diet and foods that you enjoy.

Include physical activities in your day that are not related to work.

Have a regular sleep schedule.

Do things you enjoy when you are not working.

Learn something new.

Stay in touch with your family and friends back home.

Try to make new friends and find people you can talk to here” in NB.

“Find a community that shares your faith.

Join a community group or sports team.

Limit alcohol, cigarettes, and other substances.”

Asking for Help

It is normal to have good days and bad days. Also, many people need support to maintain mental health from time to time. It may be time to get help if bad days are becoming more frequent, and if you are having any of the following difficulties:

Sleep difficulties; being unable to sleep or sleeping too much

Having trouble concentrating

Feeling hopeless

Crying easily, or frequently

Feeling more irritable or angry

Using drugs or alcohol to cope with stress or negative feelings

Feeling overwhelmed

Hearing a voice that either tells you what to do, or that you find distressing

Having thoughts of harming others

Having thoughts about harming yourself, or ending your life”

To meet or connect with other migrant workers, visit Migrant Workers Alliance for Change online or call Niger Saravia Arevalo 1 506 251-7467 to learn about events with other migrant workers in New Brunswick.

To talk to someone or find mental health services in your community, call the CHIMO 24-Hour Mental Health Helpline. It is free and confidential, and you can speak with someone in English or French. You do not need a Medicare card to call. Tell the operator if you do not have Medicare, as it may influence which services they recommend.

CHIMO +1 800-667-5005

Live chat services online between 5PM-12AM DAILY

During those hours, look for the blue and white circle icon on the lower right-hand corner of this webpage.

CHIMO can provide “a listening ear, helpful information, crisis intervention and referrals to resources in the province of N.B.”

Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick

Click here to visit their website.

Telephone: (506) 455-5231

E-mail: info@cmhanb.ca

Their Facebook page has sub-groups by region that you can follow where they post program announcements. Their YouTube channel has videos of past programs and webinars:

You can also follow them on Instagram @CMHANB

Or Subscribe to their YouTube channel.

In this guide, newcomers share tips on learning to live in a new culture. It is a very easy-to-read booklet and it is available in 21 languages, including Tagalog, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic. Click here to access it.

(From Cooper Institute’s Health Resources)

If you are experiencing abuse, or think you may be experiencing abuse, “talk to someone you trust and get help. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Abuse can come in many different forms. It can be physical, sexual, emotional, or financial. Physical and sexual abuses are illegal in Canada, even if you are married to the person who is abusing you. So are some forms of financial abuse.

Some people have difficulty being able to tell if they are being abused. Here are some examples of warning signs that you may be experiencing abuse.

Your Partner:

Makes hurtful comments about you, that result in low self-esteem

You are frightened by their behaviour

Attempts to control what you do, who you have contact with, or where you go.

Attempts to prevent you from seeing your friends or family members.

Takes your money, makes you ask for money, or refuses to give you money.

Makes all decisions, against your wishes.

Threatens you (i.e., to harm you or those you love, to take away your children).

Destroys your property or threatens to kill your pets.

Prevents you from working or attending school.

Intimidates you with weapons or other objects that can harm you.

Physically assaults you (i.e., hitting, kicking, punching, holding you down)

Threatens to commit suicide if you leave or disagree with them.

Threatens to kill you.

If you are in an abusive relationship, and find yourself in an emergency situation where you need help from police or an ambulance immediately, call 911. If you are in need of support, want to talk to someone about your options, or get help to get out of the relationship, call Sexual Violence NB’s Crisis Line:

Crisis Line: (506) 454-0437

The crisis line is open from 5 pm to 8 am, 7 days a week. Chat service is available 5 pm to 9 pm, 7 days a week, via a chat box on this website.

Services limited to the Fredericton area: Individual counselling for survivors of rape/sexual assault, support groups for men and women, will provide support in hospitals, courts or police stations. https://svnb.ca/en/services/ There are no fees for any services.

You can also call 211 to find out about other services in your area, or visit this website and scroll down to “Community-Based Support Services.” There is a link to find services in different parts of the province.

“Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence”

This government document defines “sexual violence” and discusses which acts of sexual violence are against the law in Canada. The second page defines “sexual assault,” “sex trafficking,” sexual harassment,” cyber sexual violence, and “intimate partner sexual violence.” Click here to access it.

Sexual Violence Resources for International Students

MOSAIC BC has created a webpage and a series of videos as part of their International Student project. Visit this page for information about gender-based violence, sexual violence, safety tips, consent, technology-facilitated violence, and more. The page includes links to MOSAIC’s programs for international students in BC. If you are an international student in NB, please refer to the links on our Emergency Health and Social Services webpage. The New Brunswick Multicultural Association’s Resources for women may be of particular relevance. Some of those resources are translated.

PRUDE Inc. (Pride of Race, Unity and Dignity Through Education) in Saint John also has some programs relevant to International Students, including at least one that they offer virtually. Visit PRUDE’s website.

If you are in need of assistance that is directly for international students you can call Migrant Workers Alliance for Change’s phone line for Students (current and former):

1 647 858-2854

You can also contact Rebecca MacDonald, Team Lead, International Student Retention, Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration

1 902 270-5772

rmacdonald@newdawn.ca

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

If you are experiencing sexual harassment in your workplace, you can contact the Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick and apply for their Safer Places NB Lawyer Referral Program.

1-888-236-2444

To find a form that you can fill out if you prefer, instead of calling the phone line, click here.

ANYONE can access this program if they are over the age of 16, have experienced workplace harassment or thinks they have experienced workplace harassment, and the incident(s) happened in NB. If the person in need of the service is under the age of 15, their parents can reach out and PLEIS will see if they can find a lawyer who is comfortable working with them.

To apply for this program, you will be asked to fill out a form and you will be connected with a lawyer who will meet with you free of charge for 2 hours. All of the lawyers with this program have received trainings on sexual harassment at work and on trauma-informed counseling. They can offer support with explanations including: what you should know if you talk to the police, how much control you have in that process, and outcomes you could anticipate. They can also support with a human rights complaint form. Making a complaint with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission involves an initial 3 to 5-page form. It’s available online, but it is a good idea to ask for assistance. You need to put everything that you want to be considered a fact in the case on the initial form, etc.

The general website of the Safer Places NB project can be found here. It includes access to this page with resources that you might find immediately helpful.

Open Work Permits for Vulnerable Workers

If you are a migrant worker on a closed work permit experiencing some form of abuse, or at risk of experiencing abuse, contact us. You may be eligible for an Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers. To learn more, you can visit our site. If you have questions or would like to talk with us about applying, email our caseworker: cristian@madhucentre.ca. You can also reach us by calling Migrant Workers Alliance for Change at 1 506 251-7467.

Please visit our Emergency Health and Social Services resource page for links to more resources, including some that have been translated. These include resources specifically for non-status, refugee, and immigrant women, international women students, and temporary women workers and their children who are experiencing or have previously experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Some of the resources are directed at women in these groups who are struggling with addiction or their mental health.

(506) 458-8211 356

Queen Street, Fredericton

Services: General Counselling; Parenting Programs; Anger Management/Anger Expression; Self-Help Groups for Adult Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Fees scaled to participants resources. In person or Virtual. Counselling is available over the phone or online through Zoom. When you call, let them know what times you are available. They do not do weekends, but have some evening counselling appointments through the week.

https://horizonnb.ca/services/public-health/sexual-health

https://www.vitalitenb.ca/en/points-service/sexual-health

New Brunswick Addiction and Mental Health Helpline

1-866-355-5550 24 hours a day

A team of trained clinicians called Care Coaches are now available to offer information, support and guidance to people. The care coaches include licensed clinical therapists, social workers, registered nurses and other professionals who have education and experience in social services, mental health and/or addictions. If you require urgent assistance, you can be referred to Addiction and Mental Health Mobile Crisis Services, to the local emergency room, or you can request aid from emergency services via 911. Care Coaches will be available from 8 am to Midnight with Tele Care 811 providing support overnight and in the early morning.

Care coaches can provide:

A Safe and non-judgemental space to talk

Resources to help you manage

Referrals to healthcare providers for individualised treatment

Crisis support, including offering guidance to family members and friends as well

AIDS NB

AIDS NB offers free:

HIV/ AIDS self-testing kits (results take 15 minutes)

Safe injection supplies

Naloxone kits (Naloxone is a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. Kits include all supplies needed for administering the naloxone and three vials of the medication.)

All supplies can be picked up at AIDs NB’s offices in Fredericton, Bathurst, and Miramichi. They will be setting up a vending machine in Miramichi for people who need supplies there. We will update this website when we have more information about that.

Call or text them at: 1 (506) 282-3911

You can receive deliveries if you are in the Fredericton area. Click here to see the delivery schedule.

Smoke-Free NB

1-866-366-3667

If you smoke or vape and want to cut back or quit, call for free, confidential advice. You do not need a Medicare card.

Gambling Information Line

1-800-461-1234

You can call if you have a problem with gambling, or if a friend or family member does. This line can provide information and referrals for help.

Visit our Emergency Health and Social Services resources page for more supports.

There are two public health networks in New Brunswick. “Vitalité Health Network is a regional health authority providing and managing health care and services in an area covering northern and southeastern New Brunswick.” Central and southwestern New Brunswick are served by the Horizon Health Network.

Vitalité Health Network has an interactive map you can use to find out which services you can access in which part of the health region. https://www.vitalitenb.ca/en/interactive-network-map

There is also a list of services available as a drop-down menu on the main page https://www.vitalitenb.ca/en under “Services”.

To search for services in the Horizon Health Region: https://horizonnb.ca/horizon-services/

This site has a map with icons showing where you can find Horizon Health’s facilities: https://horizonnb.ca/facilities/

Once you have located a service you need, contact them to make an appointment. Let them know what your insurance situation is – whether you have Medicare, private insurance, or no insurance. It may be more direct for you to simply call 211 to access information about the services you need.

New Brunswick Public Health offers access to a variety of free services for new parents, depending on your income and other factors. Medicare cards are not required for most of these services.

If you do not have a Medicare card, you will have medical expenses for the childbirth and possible hospital stay after your baby is born. This could cost approximately $10, 000. You could also be charged a very different fee. It just depends on what services, medical professionals, medicines etc. you require before, during and after the birth. Check your medical insurance to see what, if any, coverage you have for childbirth and hospital stays.

Services you may be eligible for include visits from a nurse and a dietician (weekend visits may be possible), vitamins and milk after your baby is born (and possibly before), visits after your baby is born, prenatal (before baby comes) classes, etc. If your work schedule requires weekend visits, let Public Health know and they will do their best to support you.

There is also a small financial benefit you may be eligible for if you have a low-income household. Call: 1 888-987-6789

It’s a monthly cheque during pregnancy to help cover the cost of healthy foods, etc. It is around $60-$80 per month. You may be able to qualify if you can show proof of residency in New Brunswick, proof of your pregnancy, and your net family income is less that $29,000 a year. According to Social Development: “If you receive this benefit, you can automatically continue getting financial assistance for food once your baby is born through the Postnatal Benefit Program.” If you need help proving residency, contact the Madhu Centre. We may be able to assist.

Throughout the Province, you can access the program, “Healthy Families, Healthy Babies”

In the Vitalité Health Region, you can call:

Bathurst

506-547-2062

Campbellton

506-789-2266

Caraquet

506-726-2025

Edmundston

506-735-2065

Grand Falls

506-475-2441

Kedgwick

506-284-3422

Moncton

506-856-2401

Richibucto

506-523-7607

Sackville

506-364-4080

Shediac

506-533-3354

Shippagan

506-336-3061

Tracadie

506-394-3888

For obstetrical clinics in the northern part of the province, including in Campbellton, visit this website here.

In the Horizon Health Region: (506) 444-4866

Social Supports NB has the following pages that might be helpful. Please note that if you are a migrant worker, you will likely not be able to access these benefits.

Supports During Pregnancy (includes info on the pre-natal benefit)

Supports for New Parents (includes info on the post-natal benefit)

Financial Benefits for Families with Children

Midwives

If you are interested in seeing a Midwife, there is one clinic in New Brunswick. Contact them as soon as you know you are pregnant, as their services are in high demand.

Fredericton Midwifery Centre

Click here for the website.

(506) 452-5896

You do not need a Medicare card to be seen by a midwife. If you do not have a Medicare card, and you need tests (which is common, for example, blood tests and an ultrasound), or need to visit the hospital, or choose to have your baby in hospital, there will be fees.

Pre-Natal Clinics for Women without a Medical Doctor

These clinics are for people with a Medicare card or with coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program. You need to be a resident of NB.

At the Chalmers Hospital, Fredericton: 506-259-0798

At the Upper River Valley Hospital, Waterville: 506-375-2586

To find out about clinics like these in the northern part of the province, ask the nurse at the Healthy Families, Healthy Babies line or obstetrical clinic closest to you. (see above.)

Abortion Services

If you are pregnant and considering your options, or if you are looking for information on how to access an abortion, visit this website by Reproductive Justice NB. https://rjnb.org/accessing-abortions-in-new-brunswick/

If you have Medicare, abortion services are covered at hospitals in Bathurst and Moncton. The cost of an abortion is approximately $700-$850.

National Abortion Federation Hotline

For information about abortion, including financial assistance.

1-800-772-9100

Weekdays: 9:00 AM-8:00 PM

Saturdays and Sundays: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

http://prochoice.org/think-youre-pregnant/naf-hotline/

Please see our Emergency Health and Social Services Page for more resources.