<P> Health care in Canada is delivered through a publicly funded health care system, informally called Medicare, which is mostly free at the point of use and has most services provided by private entities . It is guided by the provisions of the Canada Health Act of 1984 . </P> <P> The government attempts to ensure the quality of care through federal standards . The government does not participate in day - to - day care or collect any information about an individual's health, which remains confidential between a person and their physician . Canada's provincially based Medicare systems are cost - effective partly because of their administrative simplicity . In each province, each doctor handles the insurance claim against the provincial insurer . There is no need for the person who accesses healthcare to be involved in billing and reclaim . Private health expenditure accounts for 30% of health care financing . The Canada Health Act does not cover prescription drugs, home care or long - term care, prescription glasses or dental care, which means most Canadians pay out - of - pocket for these services or rely on private insurance . Provinces provide partial coverage for some of these items for vulnerable populations (children, those living in poverty and seniors). Limited coverage is provided for mental health care . </P>

When did universal health care start in canada