3-month waiting period for OHIP and pregnancy

[QCtoONviaUS]

My husband and I are moving to Ontario in the near future, aiming to start university this January. I'm also due in mid-December. I can't begin my move before early September. While it seems that I'm eligible for OHIP, there is the (maximum?) 3-month waiting period to consider, making our schedule pretty tight (even more so if I give birth early). I understand that temporary coverage plans don't cover birth, and that pregnancy insurance is not available for those already pregnant.

My question is: does OHIP reimburse members retroactively? (I know that that's the case in Quebec, at least in some circumstances.)

If not, are there any other options I may have missed?

 

[scylla]

My husband and I are moving to Ontario in the near future, aiming to start university this January. I'm also due in mid-December. I can't begin my move before early September. While it seems that I'm eligible for OHIP, there is the (maximum?) 3-month waiting period to consider, making our schedule pretty tight (even more so if I give birth early). I understand that temporary coverage plans don't cover birth, and that pregnancy insurance is not available for those already pregnant.

My question is: does OHIP reimburse members retroactively? (I know that that's the case in Quebec, at least in some circumstances.)

If not, are there any other options I may have missed?

OHIP does not reimburse retroactively. You also won't qualify for OHIP until you have been in Canada for three months as a resident. You will have to cover all health-related expenses out of pocket during your first three months in Canada. Insurance is not an option since you are already pregnant. Only other option would be to have the baby in your home country and then move afterwards.

When you say that you are moving to Ontario in the fall, on what basis are you moving here? Do you already have PR or citizenship?

 

[QCtoONviaUS]

Oh well. I figured. Just checking if there's an angle I left out.

My husband is a citizen and (if I'm not missing anything) I should qualify for PR.

 

[scylla]

Oh well. I figured. Just checking if there's an angle I left out.

My husband is a citizen and (if I'm not missing anything) I should qualify for PR.

Ah - well that changes things further. In that case it's going to be some time before you qualify for OHIP (a lot longer than just three months). For now, you'll be coming to Canada as a visitor only. Visitors do not qualify for OHIP. You definitely will not have OHIP coverage in time for the birth. So if you want to be in Canada for that - you'll need to be prepared to pay for everything out of pocket. Be aware that costs can skyrocket if there are any complications. Might be a lot wiser to have the baby in your home country.

And yes - fairly easy for your husband to sponsor you for PR.

 

[QCtoONviaUS]

Ah - well that changes things further. In that case it's going to be some time before you qualify for OHIP (a lot longer than just three months).

Why is that? Nothing on their site suggests it - or am I missing something?

Also, would you know if the 3-month period (where it applies) is supposed to be a maximum or a minimum?

 

[scylla]

Thee months is the exact waiting time (both the minimum and the maximum).

Visitors to Canada do not qualify for OHIP. There are places where this is addressed (see below). Once your husband has submitted a sponsorship application and you have confirmation the application has accepted, you can try to argue for coverage. Recommend you move over to the Family Sponsorship section of the forum for this discussion. But again, safe to say you will not have coverage by the time you give birth.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/docs/ohip_eligibility_fs_en.pdf

Tourists, transients or visitors are not eligible for OHIP coverage. …Your eligibility for Ontario health insurance coverage is based solely on :  you having one of the above OHIP-eligible citizenship or immigration statuses, and  you making your primary place of residence in Ontario, and  meeting the physical presence requirements.

 

[canuck78]

Would plan for 10K for a vaginal birth and around 20K for a C-section more if there are complications.. Because your husband is a citizen your child will have coverage right away. You will also have to pay for all appointments before the birth.

 

[YVR123]

Oh well. I figured. Just checking if there's an angle I left out.

My husband is a citizen and (if I'm not missing anything) I should qualify for PR.

You may qualify for PR but you have to start your application (your husband sponsor you for PR) and on average, it takes a year. Once you landed as a PR, there is a 3 months waiting period before you are qualified for OHIP.

 

[Lovekesh]

Hello Everyone,
I just got to know that my wife is pregnant and is in initial weeks. I have plan for we both to travel to Ontario next month i.e. when my wife will be in 2-3 month of pregnancy.

Now considering that Ontario health card's average waiting time is 3 months,
i. Will my wife be eligible for all medical facilities provided by Ontario health insurance after 3 months i.e. Dec/Jan onwards?
ii. Can I opt for travel insurance or any private insurance to support for these 3 months(until Ontario health card is issued)?

Please suggest

Thanks much!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hello Everyone,
I just got to know that my wife is pregnant and is in initial weeks. I have plan for we both to travel to Ontario next month i.e. when my wife will be in 2-3 month of pregnancy.

Now considering that Ontario health card's average waiting time is 3 months,
i. Will my wife be eligible for all medical facilities provided by Ontario health insurance after 3 months i.e. Dec/Jan onwards?
ii. Can I opt for travel insurance or any private insurance to support for these 3 months(until Ontario health card is issued)?

Please suggest

Thanks much!

Hi

i. Yes.

ii. You should get travel insurance but it will only cover emergencies. You will have to pay for the pregnancy medical costs yourself until OHIP starts.

 

[canuck78]

My husband and I are moving to Ontario in the near future, aiming to start university this January. I'm also due in mid-December. I can't begin my move before early September. While it seems that I'm eligible for OHIP, there is the (maximum?) 3-month waiting period to consider, making our schedule pretty tight (even more so if I give birth early). I understand that temporary coverage plans don't cover birth, and that pregnancy insurance is not available for those already pregnant.

My question is: does OHIP reimburse members retroactively? (I know that that's the case in Quebec, at least in some circumstances.)

If not, are there any other options I may have missed?

If you come to Ontario as a student you get UHIP not OHIP. UHIP only starts when the school year starts. I'm sure there is also conditions like you must remain a full-time student or you lose coverage. Would encourage all international students studying in /ontario to read up on UHIP, how it works and what is covered.

 

[alexross]

If you come to Ontario as a student you get UHIP not OHIP. UHIP only starts when the school year starts. I'm sure there is also conditions like you must remain a full-time student or you lose coverage. Would encourage all international students studying in /ontario to read up on UHIP, how it works and what is covered.

Hi Canuck, does the 3 month waiting period for OHIP start from the day you moved to Ontario? Or does it start from the day you applied for OHIP? appreciate your input on this. Thank you!

 

[scylla]

Hi Canuck, does the 3 month waiting period for OHIP start from the day you moved to Ontario? Or does it start from the day you applied for OHIP? appreciate your input on this. Thank you!

The day you move to Ontario.

 

[Sinemylmz]

The day you move to Ontario.

Hi Alex, i came to Ontario 1 year ago, studied at a college, started working as fulltime 1st September 2018. I have just applied ohip, because my original open work permit has just arrived. Do u think i will be waiting for the health card for 3months? You said the waiting period starts from the day you moved to Ontario . if not, do u have an idea of it is really 3 months? Is there a possibility to get it earlier? I am 3 months pregnant, that's why i am asking.. hospital bill for 1 visit is 359cad.

 

[Sinemylmz]

Hi Scylla, i came to Ontario 1 year ago, studied at a college, started working as fulltime 1st September 2018. I have just applied ohip, because my original open work permit has just arrived. Do u think i will be waiting for the health card for 3months? You said the waiting period starts from the day you moved to Ontario . if not, do u have an idea of it is really 3 months? Is there a possibility to get it earlier? I am 3 months pregnant, that's why i am asking.. hospital bill for 1 visit is 359cad.