Our Medicare expires at the end of May as our current work permit expires on May 11. We have applied to extend the work permit and are waiting for that.

Is there any way we can renew the Medicare cards while we are on implied status, or will we have to take our our own cover until we get a new permit or our PR comes through?

If not, can anyone recomend any healthcare insurer?

Thanks, as ever

You have to check the rules for your particular province. In Alberta you can contact AHC and request an extension. You will have to provide proof of implied status i.e., your work permit renewal application/receipt etc. We did this on implied status changing from a study to a PG work permit.
When the new wp comes in, you send it to them to get coverage to the end of the new permit. Hopefully the medicare website of your particular province should have instructions on this.
(The Alberta website says you are supposed to contact them something like 30 days before expiry but we did it a couple of days after expiration and it was no problem)

....I see now you are from NB, my experience isn't of much use to you.

I did wonder if we could do this but the website doesn't tell us anything. The only thing you seem to be able to do is download the application forms. May have to call in and see what they say.
Thanks harju

I had a period of about a month where my TWP had expired (along with my health card) and my new TWP was yet to turn up.

All that happened was that my pharmacy flagged up a prescription I had filled.I explained to the pharmacist the situation and as my meds were covered under my employee insurance everything else was as normal.

As soon as the new TWP arrived I faxed a copy to Sask Health and got a new card.

Going to go into Service New Brunswick tomorrow with proof that we've applied to extend the TWP and see what they say. We have the new LMO now so hoping they wont take long to process it.