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province – Winnipeg Free Press

Posted on by Neons

After promising to process thousands of backlogged Manitoba health card applications, the provincial government says the queue has been cleared.

In January, there were more than 9,000 applications for health cards in the queue, and the bureaucratic back-up was about 24,000 applications in mid-November.

“There are no outstanding health card applications in the queue to process,” a provincial spokesperson said in an email this week.

“The department has opened a hotline and added support staff to help Manitobans work through incomplete applications or applications with errors, and encourages anyone who hasn't received a card to check for letters, emails or voicemails requesting corrections.”

Most health card applications are processed within two weeks. The oldest application on the Manitoba Health website, filed on April 2, is still not being processed.

While registering for or making changes to your Manitoba Health Card can be done online or by phone, most still go to 300 Carlton St. for assistance. visit Manitoba Health Headquarters at

A sign posted on the front door warns that staff have reduced service at the counter and over the phone to focus on applications.

“Our counter service and phone service have been temporarily reduced to improve the processing time of your applications. We appreciate your patience,” the sign read.

A provincial spokesperson said the sign was out of date and had been “previously posted while an enhanced applicant vetting process was being implemented” and that the sign was removed after the review. Free press extended his hand.

On Thursday morning, about a dozen people queued outside the check-in and customer service room, which was packed with people waiting to be seen, registration forms in hand. A security guard at the office said the wait was nearly two hours, but shorter for people who arrived before the office opened at 8:30 a.m.

Miles Wood was one of those waiting. He needs to see a doctor to get his eyes checked, but first he needs to change his health card. He flew in from his community in Island Lake to pick up his application and said he expects it to take just two weeks to process.

Wood was scheduled to have eye surgery, but the procedure was canceled. He is now trying to reschedule the operation, but worries that if it gets bogged down in red tape, he will refuse to do it.

“Maybe if it lasts longer I'll change my mind,” he said.

Another applicant moved to Winnipeg and withdrew his health card number after applying in February.

The woman, who has not been named, said she called to get an update on her application but was unable to get through.

In desperation, he called the deputy, who contacted him on his behalf and asked him to come to the office with the documents.

She came with her lover, who said the couple had to fight to even get a health card number, let alone the card itself.

“When I argued with (customer services), she found her application,” he said. “Then he gave her her health number, so we don't have the card, but we do have the number so she can see the doctor.”