Health Benefits while in the process of Sponsorship...

[bscinto92]

I have heard from my husbands employer (which isnt the insurance company but they told this to us) that as long as i'm not covered under any insurance by anyone else (my dad) then I could probably be on his benefits, otherwise if i was on any other insurance it would be considered insurance fraud.

 

[osdamour]

Better you call your husband company and check with provincial heath care. you might be surprise how many option you have.

 

[YorkFactory]

I didn't see it mentioned already, but OHIP does not cover prescription drugs at all.

 

[sariss]

As mentioned, you have to be a RESIDENT here for 3 months before getting OHIP. Resident as in Permanent Resident, not just having resided here.
Most insurance companies in Ontario require your partner to be covered by OHIP before being eligible for their coverage.
And, OHIP does not cover medications, that would be his insurance.

 

[bscinto92]

my husband is born and raised in ontario so he has OHIP, and the benefits he pays for at his job cover drug prescriptions. we're still waiting on an answer from manulife. my guess is i can't be covered but it's all just really confusing to me what the requirements are. i found out my medication isn't very expensive if we have to pay out of pocket for it... i believe only 44 US dollars and thats for a months supply. not sure what the difference is in canada yet though

 

[blueangel371115]

I have heard from my husbands employer (which isnt the insurance company but they told this to us) that as long as i'm not covered under any insurance by anyone else (my dad) then I could probably be on his benefits, otherwise if i was on any other insurance it would be considered insurance fraud.

That's why I'm wondering, I am on medicaid through my home state but once I am in Canada, it's not valid. So I would have to drive back to Vermont just to go to the er. Which would not be safe or smart. Since my school is 8hrs away and they don't offer insurance either. So wondering at this point what my options are.

 

[amikety]

That's why I'm wondering, I am on medicaid through my home state but once I am in Canada, it's not valid. So I would have to drive back to Vermont just to go to the er. Which would not be safe or smart. Since my school is 8hrs away and they don't offer insurance either. So wondering at this point what my options are.

Best option is to buy travel insurance. There's 2 types - one that acts like regular insurance and is expensive, requires a questionnaire to get, etc. The other is for 'emergencies' and is much cheaper, easier to apply for. Neither cover prescriptions from what I remember, but those are fairly cheap anyway.

Medical costs are much cheaper in Canada compared to the USA, so even if you end up having to pay 20%, it's going to be less of a blow than the USA. I paid only $49 for a chest x-ray (1 frame) in Canada, whereas x-rays in the USA are hundred if not thousands of dollars. (My upper thorax x-ray in 2011 was $1,500 and they took 3 frames.)

One thing that I think is important is to tell the doctor you aren't on Healthcare and you use private insurance. The doctors here are used to having everyone free, so they order extra tests to be on the safe side all the time. Just let them know the extras need to wait until there's a real issue or you qualify for healthcare.

 

[blueangel371115]

I'll get right on that plus I'll have my fiance look into his insurance.