The Patient Insider
Out of Province Request Script | The Patient Insider
Not medical or legal advice — template starting point only. In an emergency, call 911.
THE PATIENT INSIDER — CANADA GUIDE · INTERPROVINCIAL TOOL

Out of Province Request Script

A script for requesting formal pre-approval from your home province before receiving planned care in another province — phone and written versions included.

How to use this script

Step 1

Have your referring physician's contact information and the name of the receiving provider/facility ready before you call or write.

Step 2

Use the phone script first to confirm the process, then follow up in writing using the letter version — always get pre-approval in writing.

Phone script — initial call to your home province

phone-script.txtSelect all & copy
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME], and my provincial health number is [HEALTH NUMBER]. My physician, Dr. [PHYSICIAN NAME], has recommended I receive [NAME OF SERVICE/PROCEDURE] at [FACILITY NAME, PROVINCE], because [REASON — e.g. "this service is not currently available in my home province" or "the wait time locally poses a documented health risk"]. I'd like to confirm: 1. Does this service require prior authorization for out-of-province coverage? 2. What is the process and expected timeline for approval? 3. What rate will be covered, and will I be responsible for any difference in cost? 4. Is there a reference number or file number I should use for this request? Could you also let me know if there's a written form my physician needs to submit, and where it should be sent? Thank you — could I get your name and a reference number for this call, for my records?

Written follow-up letter (physician-submitted)

request-letter.txtSelect all & copy
[Physician Letterhead] Date: [DATE] RE: Request for Prior Authorization — Out-of-Province Care Patient: [PATIENT FULL NAME] Health Number: [HEALTH NUMBER] To the Out-of-Province Coverage Office, I am requesting prior authorization for my patient, [PATIENT NAME], to receive [NAME OF SERVICE/PROCEDURE] at [FACILITY NAME AND PROVINCE]. This request is made because [clinical reason: unavailable locally / wait time risk / other documented reason]. Relevant clinical details: [Brief diagnosis and clinical justification, 2-3 sentences] Anticipated date of service: [DATE] Referring physician contact: [NAME, PHONE, FAX/EMAIL] Please confirm approval, applicable coverage rate, and any patient-responsibility amount in writing prior to the scheduled date, given the timeline involved. Sincerely, [Physician Name, Credentials, License Number]

Important: this is a starting template, not medical or legal advice

The Patient Insider is not a healthcare provider, insurer, government agency, lawyer, or patient advocate. This script is a general educational starting point. It does not guarantee approval, and actual requirements vary by province.

Confirm the specific pre-authorization process for your province with your health ministry before relying on this script.

If this is a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department now. Do not use this page to delay urgent care.

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