Beginning this week, Islanders with expired health cards will receive PEI’s new bilingual health card in the mail, says Minister of Health and Wellness Robert Henderson.
The minister said the original orange PEI health card was introduced in 1995 and has not been significantly updated since then. “The new health card is bilingual and can hold more information for the benefit of the patient and the health care provider,” said Minister Henderson. “The new bilingual card has a clean, vibrant design that prominently features the stunning Darnley shoreline photographed by Stephen DesRoches of Prince Edward Island.”
In the coming year, the individual’s preferred language of service will be featured on the front of the card. The back of the card may include a red heart which shows the owner’s intention to be an organ and tissue donor. The red heart replaces the red sticker now being used.
“The language profile of our province is changing with the promotion of Canada’s two official languages and a steady rise in immigration,” said Mark Kickham, Health PEI Manager of Medicare Services. “By adding the preferred language for service, staff will be better equipped to serve Islanders whose first language is not English, and ensure all Islanders get information in a clear and equitable manner.”
Islanders present their health card to access a variety of publically funded health services such as physician care, hospital services, medical tests, long-term care, home care, mental health and addiction services and provincial drug programs. Community pharmacists also require the card to record medications in the PEI Drug Information System.
It is expected that the orange health card will be phased out over the next five years as the existing cards expire. Health PEI and other government and non-government organizations will continue to accept the orange health card as long as it is valid.
For more information on the PEI Health Card, visit www.healthpei.ca/healthcard.