I am an immigrant from the US to Canada, now a dual citizen. I am sponsoring my mother to move here to Ontario, so I can help take care of her when she is no longer able to. Of course at that point she wouldn't be medically admissible to Canada, so that's why she's moving now. Currently she is a healthy 74-year old. By the way, whenever I mention "Medicare" below I'm referring to the US National program, not Canadian provincial health care.
We are trying to figure out our health care options for her. She is cancelling her Medicare Part B, but keeping Part A since it's free. I'm getting her emergency coverage for the first 3 months in Canada before OHIP coverage begins. Her prescription drugs should be covered after that time too, by OHIP+.
Questions:
1) Will Medicare Part A be enough to cover her in case of emergency when she travels back to the states? Or should we buy travel insurance like most Canadians have to?
2) Is supplementary private health insurance worth it? I get it through my job, covering drugs, dental, vision, and travel, but I"m not sure it's worth paying for as an individual since her drugs are already covered by OHIP+, and travel to the US (she's unlikely to ever go anywhere else) may be covered by her Medicare. For dental and vision, I don't think it's such a great deal. The one other thing is private hospital room, but maybe it's worth just paying out of pocket the extra amount for that should the need arise. Any opinions?
We are trying to figure out our health care options for her. She is cancelling her Medicare Part B, but keeping Part A since it's free. I'm getting her emergency coverage for the first 3 months in Canada before OHIP coverage begins. Her prescription drugs should be covered after that time too, by OHIP+.
Questions:
1) Will Medicare Part A be enough to cover her in case of emergency when she travels back to the states? Or should we buy travel insurance like most Canadians have to?
2) Is supplementary private health insurance worth it? I get it through my job, covering drugs, dental, vision, and travel, but I"m not sure it's worth paying for as an individual since her drugs are already covered by OHIP+, and travel to the US (she's unlikely to ever go anywhere else) may be covered by her Medicare. For dental and vision, I don't think it's such a great deal. The one other thing is private hospital room, but maybe it's worth just paying out of pocket the extra amount for that should the need arise. Any opinions?