Health Insurance (BC->Ontario/Calgary)

[AkkiV]

Hi everyone,
I will be landing in BC this month (already completed first landing earlier). When can I expect to get the health insurance card? Do I apply only after arriving? If it takes time, I guess I should get health insurance beforehand from my country.
Also, I am not sure where I will be staying after the initial 2 months. It may be Ontario or Calgary. In that case, do I need to apply for a separate health insurance for these provinces?
Thanks!

 

[bryndog1950]

Information about BC health insurance:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/how-to-enrol

Since there is a waiting period, you should get private coverage beforehand, either from your country or from a Canadian private insurer.
This website has some comparisons of coverage and cost from Canadian insurers:
https://www.visitorsinsurance.ca/#/

If there is a good possibility that you will be moving to Alberta or Ontario within a couple of months, it might be better to wait until you know for sure where you are going to live permanently. You would have to apply for a health card in whatever province you reside permanently.

Information on Alberta health insurance here:
https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-how-to-apply.aspx

Information on Ontario health insurance here:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/health-cards

 

[AkkiV]

Information about BC health insurance:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/how-to-enrol

Since there is a waiting period, you should get private coverage beforehand, either from your country or from a Canadian private insurer.
This website has some comparisons of coverage and cost from Canadian insurers:
https://www.visitorsinsurance.ca/#/

If there is a good possibility that you will be moving to Alberta or Ontario within a couple of months, it might be better to wait until you know for sure where you are going to live permanently. You would have to apply for a health card in whatever province you reside permanently.

Information on Alberta health insurance here:
https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-how-to-apply.aspx

Information on Ontario health insurance here:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/health-cards

Thanks a ton for your advice! I will actually be looking for a job and eventually settle down wherever I get one. So I may or may not move from BC. Is it a big hassle to shift insurance between provinces?

 

[bryndog1950]

Thanks a ton for your advice! I will actually be looking for a job and eventually settle down wherever I get one. So I may or may not move from BC. Is it a big hassle to shift insurance between provinces?

I don't think it's much of a hassle. The application form for each province would ask you if you are moving from another province and if you have coverage in that province. If you had coverage for BC for example, and moved to Alberta, the Alberta application would ask you for your BC health card number.
While waiting for the Alberta card, you could still use your BC card in Alberta for some time.

 

[AkkiV]

I don't think it's much of a hassle. The application form for each province would ask you if you are moving from another province and if you have coverage in that province. If you had coverage for BC for example, and moved to Alberta, the Alberta application would ask you for your BC health card number.
While waiting for the Alberta card, you could still use your BC card in Alberta for some time.

Really appreciate your help. Thanks again!!!

 

[AkkiV]

I am actually hearing that provinces are giving health insurance coverage from day 1 rather than after 3 months due to the covid situation. Not sure if this is the case for BC as well.

 

[bryndog1950]

I am actually hearing that provinces are giving health insurance coverage from day 1 rather than after 3 months due to the covid situation. Not sure if this is the case for BC as well.

There is currently no waiting period in Ontario.
I'm not sure about the other provinces. You could check their websites or contact them to make sure.

 

[AkkiV]

I just contacted health insurance BC. I heard that although they have a waiting time of 3 months, there is no waiting time for new permanent residents moving from overseas. One can apply online and they evaluate your application on the 1st of the month. The coverage will even be backdated to the time of your arrival.

 

[AkkiV]

I just contacted health insurance BC. I heard that although they have a waiting time of 3 months, there is no waiting time for new permanent residents moving from overseas. One can apply online and they evaluate your application on the 1st of the month. The coverage will even be backdated to the time of your arrival.

Sorry this information is not right it seems. I called them again to verify and they now say that I was provided incorrect information by the previous agent and there is in fact a 3 month waiting period . They only suspended he waiting period for a few months last year.

 

[canuck78]

I just contacted health insurance BC. I heard that although they have a waiting time of 3 months, there is no waiting time for new permanent residents moving from overseas. One can apply online and they evaluate your application on the 1st of the month. The coverage will even be backdated to the time of your arrival.

Would stress that if you are not going to meet the residency requirement for health coverage in BC you can be asked to repay all the healthcare you use. When you move provinces you'd essentially start from scratch when applying for healthcare. Given your current plan you should not use your MSP unless you plan on remaining in BC for over 6 months. Usually when you have been living in one province longterm you receive coverage from the province you are leaving until you qualify for coverage in your new province. If you haven't lived in BC for over 6 months you would not qualify for MSP to cover you during that period and could be asked to pay back any money if you use the MSP card. Healthcare is run provincially. The government is trying to make sure people who access healthcare in the provincial are likely provincial taxpayers.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/are-you-eligible