The new plastic and digital health card options will both be available in 2025.

One way to assist in the transition to a new Manitoba health card is to ensure all the information on your current card is correct, such as your address. If you need to make any changes to your health card, please visit: Update or Replace Your Manitoba Health Card | Health | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)

The new Manitoba health card will include a QR code to enable front desk staff at health care facilities to efficiently and accurately input individuals’ data, rather than needing to input all information manually.

While many QR codes can be scanned and link users to websites, the QR code on the new Manitoba health card will not have any other function other than to be accessed by medical personnel and health care facilities for billing purposes and for data entry of information such as name and date of birth. The QR code on the new Manitoba health card will not provide access to any personal medical information.

A smart phone is not needed to use the new Manitoba health card to access health care services. The QR code will only be used by medical personnel and health care facilities.

Manitoba is currently the only province that issues family health cards. Manitoba Health has made the decision to transition from issuing family health cards to issuing individual health cards. Each Manitoba resident will be provided with their own health card, this includes children who previously were registered on their parent’s or guardian’s health card.

The decision to change from family health cards to individual cards aligns with the practices of other Canadian provinces and territories and will help improve the privacy of medical information.

Manitobans have shared their concerns and potential challenges that could come with this transition to individual health cards, as families may need to carry multiple health cards for family members. Manitoba Health Seniors and Long-Term Care appreciates Manitobans providing their feedback on this and commits to exploring ways to simplify this process in future phases of the Manitoba health card initiative.

Manitoba residents will not be required to switch to the new plastic health cards as the current paper health card will continue to be valid and will continue to be accepted for accessing medical services.

Manitoba is currently one of only two provinces in Canada that issues paper health cards. This transition will offer a new plastic health card that is more durable and will also reduce the risk of counterfeit cards being created. Additionally, the transition to a plastic card will allow Manitoba to align with the health card standards of other Canadian provinces and territories.

Manitoba Health recognizes that including a photo on the new health card would provide many benefits but does require legislative changes. Adding a photo will not be a part of the first phase but will remain under consideration and reviewed in future phases of this initiative.

The new Manitoba health card will be exclusively used to access health care services in this initial phase. As this is a multi-phased initiative, the option to make this card a comprehensive services card will remain under consideration and will be reviewed in future phases of this initiative.

Manitoba Health has the responsibility to ensure its materials are made available in an accessible format upon request. If you anticipate you may have any accessibility barriers related to the new Manitoba health card, please contact: insured.benefits@gov.mb.ca.

Yes.

The immunization card was used specifically to provide proof of Covid-19 immunizations and is not linked to the Manitoba health card.

The new Manitoba health card will not be considered an official form of identification in the first phase of this initiative but will remain under consideration and reviewed in future phases of the initiative.

Addresses will no longer be listed on the health card to prevent the need for card holders to request a new health card any time their address changes and is not needed for accessing medical services. Despite this change to exclude addresses from the new health card, it is still important to ensure your address is current with Manitoba Health. Please report any changes within 30 days at: Update or Replace Your Manitoba Health Card | Health | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca).

Yes, the new plastic health card and digital option will both be available in 2025.

Yes, based on feedback received from Manitobans and from front-line health care staff, Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Long-Term Care will change this field to alphanumeric to ensure greater clarity and reduce errors related to the date of birth.