Being pregnant at the time of landing in Canada,

[sam12345]

Hello Every one

I'm sponsoring my wife. I'm a PR. She lives in Jordan. We expect that by the time she will be doing her landing she will be pregnant.

Now if she starts her permanent residency in the last third of her pregnancy, will the health insurance cover her child birth costs?

Thank You loads

Sam

 

[jillandmat]

it takes 3 months to get OHIP

 

[minna]

it depends on the province you are going to be living in. Health plans are run by the provinces and all have differences in the waiting times.

As far as I know, Alberta doesn't have a waiting time. Ontario has a 90 day waiting period. BC has a waiting period that is the remainder of the month in which you apply plus two full months. I don't know about the others. From what I know, they do not make exceptions for pregnancy. And most health insurance that you can buy to cover you for the waiting period does not cover prenatal care or birth. These waiting times are not because she will be immigrating - even Canadian citizens that move from one province to another must wait to establish health insurance in the new province.

I would recommend you do the research for the province you are moving to, and start saving money/budgeting for the birth and any prenatal care, just in case.

 

[sam12345]

Thanks for the information. She will be coming to BC.




Sam

 

[minna]

I am currently pregnant - and in the PR process for my partner. I decided in the end to move back to BC, in order to have the baby born in BC. I am due in January, and I will have to arrive in BC before October 1st to be covered in time - if you do not have Medical Services Plan coverage in BC by 36 weeks, many doctors and midwives ask for you to make a substantial deposit on your bill for the birth at that time.

 

[sam12345]

Thanks Minna. How much does a normal non complicated delivery cost in BC on average?

 

[minna]

It depends on whether you are at home or in the hospital.

I decided to have a birth at home with a midwife, and I was lucky enough to find a midwifery group who was still accepting new patients. They told me it would be about $3,200. Which I would have to pay upfront, for my homebirth if my MSP coverage had not kicked in by the 36th week- although that fee also included prenatal care in the 3rd trimester. I think a birth in a hospital would be much more, but they don't give out specific figures.

You might contact The South Community Birthing Clinic, if you are moving to Vancouver. I emailed them several times, and I believe they are very familiar with working with recent immigrants - they also provide some services in many languages, which might be very nice for your wife if English is not her first language, even if she is very comfortable speaking english (especially while she is in labor). I think they are also a charity - so they might be able to deliver the baby for a low cost or free, even if your wife has not yet qualified for MSP. The website is http://scbp.ca/ I decided to just return home in enough time to make sure I will qualify for MSP, because I am the sponsor I could do this easily....

They might be able to answer many of your questions even if you do not intend on living in Vancouver, or could maybe suggest some care providers outside of Vancouver.

Good luck!!

 

[mingus]

Sorry Sammie,
I just want to make sure I understand your situation. Is she already pregnant or are you just hoping she will be by the time she gets her PR? Not to burst your bubble, but, getting a visa from Damascus can take a long time.............. It has been over 2 years for us. I hope this is not your case and Inshallah your wife will get her's within the 6 months they show online. I just wanted to let you know that what is posted is best case situations. If there is any problems, it could drag on forever like ours has.
Also, it will depend on how far along she is if the airlines will allow her to fly.

 

[sam12345]

Mingus, She is not pregnant now. But I was asking the question because we are thinking of getting a baby soon, so she MIGHT be pregnant at the time of landing. Of course I know that dates may get mixed up as nothing is clear-cut. Thank you for the info and good luck.

Minna, I really appreciate your input, thats very valuable info. I'll sure contact the clinic and may go visit them. I live in Vancouver and my wife will be here too. I hope she will be having the insurance before any delivery because our budget is very tight.

Thanks loads

Sam