Health insurance on a work permit (International Experience Canada)

[THISISDINOSAUR]

Hi,

I'm going to be entering Canada with a work permit (specifically International Experience Canada) and it's my undestanding before I do so I need to purchase health insurance for the full length of the work permit. However, it's also my understanding that once there, at the moment I'd be able to register for OHIP immediately, making the health insurance somewhat redundant.

So to double check, do I still need the full two years health insurance? And is there anything I can do to make the best of what seems to be mostly a waste of money?

Thanks

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi,

I'm going to be entering Canada with a work permit (specifically International Experience Canada) and it's my undestanding before I do so I need to purchase health insurance for the full length of the work permit. However, it's also my understanding that once there, at the moment I'd be able to register for OHIP immediately, making the health insurance somewhat redundant.

So to double check, do I still need the full two years health insurance? And is there anything I can do to make the best of what seems to be mostly a waste of money?

Thanks

You need the full two years or you will not get a two year permit. If you get one year of health insurance, you will get one year work permit. How are you eligible for OHIP right away?

 

[THISISDINOSAUR]

How are you eligible for OHIP right away?

I don't know, it was my original understanding there would be a waiting period, but two separate people have told me that's currently being waved.

 

[Naturgrl]

I don't know, it was my original understanding there would be a waiting period, but two separate people have told me that's currently being waved.

But you need two years of insurance to get a two year work permit.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card

 

[Copingwithlife]

I don't know, it was my original understanding there would be a waiting period, but two separate people have told me that's currently being waved.

And it’s MANDATORY that you have repatriation coverage if you should be catastrophically injured while in Canada and be have to be flown home .

You can’t expect the Government of Ontario foot the bill if that happens…because they won’t

It’s irrelevant if you may be able to get OHIP coverage. You get a shorter insurance plan , you’ll get a shorter work permit

Why are people who come to another country constantly trying to play around with the rules ?

And you dont automatically get coverage

“are in Ontario on a valid work permit and are working full-time in Ontario, for an Ontario employer, for at least 6 months”

If you don’t have a full time job for at least six months you don’t get covered

 

[canuck78]

I don't know, it was my original understanding there would be a waiting period, but two separate people have told me that's currently being waved.

That is for general WP. The rules for IEC are different. Way too many young people who get hurt or sick without qualifying for provincial insurance or in need repatriation. Many on IEC do seasonal work, don’t settle in once province, don’t always have longterm FT jobs, etc. Quite easy to get IEC compared to other WPs but it comes with different requirements.

 

[THISISDINOSAUR]

Thanks for the help some of you, and very not thanks for the hostility from some of you. As I said in my original post it was always my understanding I need health insurance, but two Canadians have been trying to convince me I don't which is why I came here to clarify.

 

[YVR123]

Thanks for the help some of you, and very not thanks for the hostility from some of you. As I said in my original post it was always my understanding I need health insurance, but two Canadians have been trying to convince me I don't which is why I came here to clarify.

I guess because they are Canadians and thought having health insurance covered by the gov is a default.

They don't understand what a temp worker needs.

Good that you ask your question here and yes, you need private insurance. Unless you meet the requirement (full time 6 month+ employment) in Ontario.

 

[canuck78]

Thanks for the help some of you, and very not thanks for the hostility from some of you. As I said in my original post it was always my understanding I need health insurance, but two Canadians have been trying to convince me I don't which is why I came here to clarify.

Best to look up based on your individual circumstances. There can be quite a lot of variability depending on the type of WP, whether you have secured FT employment and for what period of time, what province you will be living in and whether you will be living there longterm, etc. Healthcare is run provincially and they all have different requirements to qualify.

 

[scylla]

Thanks for the help some of you, and very not thanks for the hostility from some of you. As I said in my original post it was always my understanding I need health insurance, but two Canadians have been trying to convince me I don't which is why I came here to clarify.

I'm sure the Canadians were well intentioned in telling you that you don't need the insurance but they don't understand the rules around IECs. As others have said, you definitely want to have the two years of insurance when you arrive. We just had a case here a few weeks ago where someone came with only six months and was trying to figures out how to extend their IEC for the additional year and a half. They were naturally quite devastated to find out no extensions were possible and they would be limited to a six months work permit because of the length of their insurance when they arrived.