Health Insurance

[Panamai]

For those of you who did the common law route (staying for 6 months as a visitor and then getting an extension), what, if anything, did you do for health insurance in the meantime? I really hate the idea of going 1 year plus without coverage. I have only a few minor issues that I may need to address during this time. Do any of the conventional plans here in the US cover you in Canada? How is it to pay cash in Canada for doctor's visits? Thanks!

 

[Canuckluvus]

For those of you who did the common law route (staying for 6 months as a visitor and then getting an extension), what, if anything, did you do for health insurance in the meantime? I really hate the idea of going 1 year plus without coverage. I have only a few minor issues that I may need to address during this time. Do any of the conventional plans here in the US cover you in Canada? How is it to pay cash in Canada for doctor's visits? Thanks!

I would buy travel insurance for 6 months before you leave US and then renew it just before it expires. That's what my wife did. She did her medical in Canada but that is not covered by insurance.

 

[computergeek]

For those of you who did the common law route (staying for 6 months as a visitor and then getting an extension), what, if anything, did you do for health insurance in the meantime? I really hate the idea of going 1 year plus without coverage. I have only a few minor issues that I may need to address during this time. Do any of the conventional plans here in the US cover you in Canada? How is it to pay cash in Canada for doctor's visits? Thanks!

US based insurance will cover emergency care (e.g., hospitalization) but generally does not cover routine care or prescription drugs. You can obtain private insurance. If you have pre-existing conditions, your best option is probably to keep your US coverage because you will not find a Canadian policy that covers pre-existing conditions. If this is not an issue, look for visitors insurance or expatriate insurance - there are (from my own research) dozens of options. Try the search string "expat health insurance" in your favourite search engine. One company that I continue to use (http://www.healthcareinternational.com/index.php) consistently appears in my searches. They are a UK based firm and I still maintain travel insurance from them. AAA/CAA often provide coverage options as well. When I had to bridge termination of my US coverage (by my employer) and initiation of my BC coverage (two months) I purchased coverage from Manulife. I seem to recall it was around $250 per month.

Paying Cash for Canadian doctor's visits is another option. That doesn't protect against the catastrophic problems, but you might find it is a more reasonable option. Try calling some walk-in clinics and asking what their cash fee is. Then budget something (2-3x that) for potential lab work if you think that might be necessary. Canadian drugs are cheaper than US drugs generally and I've found that Costco in Canada has a very low dispensing fee ($4.49 per prescription versus $10+ at other pharmacies - PLUS prescription costs that can be 10-20% less than the chains).

 

[Rob_TO]

For those of you who did the common law route (staying for 6 months as a visitor and then getting an extension), what, if anything, did you do for health insurance in the meantime? I really hate the idea of going 1 year plus without coverage. I have only a few minor issues that I may need to address during this time. Do any of the conventional plans here in the US cover you in Canada? How is it to pay cash in Canada for doctor's visits? Thanks!

You can check this site to compare costs of some different insurance providers: http://www.kanetix.ca/travel-visitors-to-canada

This is normally for emergency/unexpected health issues that arise. If there are "a few minor issues" that you already have or know about today, you will need to disclose this in the application. If its a pre-existing condition then you need to check very carefully if the policy will cover you at all for this.

A typical visit to a walk-in clinic would cost you $50-$100 for just the doctor visit.

 

[charliem]

A number of insurance providers in Canada appear not to give visitors health insurance! They kept asking me whether I had OHIP coverage.
I've had to pay cash to see the doctor twice and once I was charged almost $1,000 for an X-ray and EKG.
Currently using TD Life insurance, which is only an excuse of a policy until I find something. Any ideas are welcome.

 

[Panamai]

Thanks! My main issue is rosacea. I'm currently taking an oral antibiotic and Restasis eye drops for it. I'd hate to go off the meds and have the red, itchy, burning skin and super dry eyes. It's nothing life threatening at least.

 

[scylla]

Thanks! My main issue is rosacea. I'm currently taking an oral antibiotic and Restasis eye drops for it. I'd hate to go off the meds and have the red, itchy, burning skin and super dry eyes. It's nothing life threatening at least.

You'll probably be better off paying for these costs yourself. Most insurance policies only cover emergencies (and don't cover pre-existing conditions). If you want coverage for non-emergency medical services and pre-existing conditions, the premiums are going to be very high.

 

[little_apple]

In which province are you? You would be covered in Alberta and some other provinces if you stay longer than 6 months. Otherwise book a travel imsurance

 

[Rob_TO]

A number of insurance providers in Canada appear not to give visitors health insurance! They kept asking me whether I had OHIP coverage.
I've had to pay cash to see the doctor twice and once I was charged almost $1,000 for an X-ray and EKG.
Currently using TD Life insurance, which is only an excuse of a policy until I find something. Any ideas are welcome.

The link i posted above is to check insurance specifically for visitors to Canada, so no provincial coverage required.

 

[Panamai]

I'll be in Ontario.

 

[charliem]

The link i posted above is to check insurance specifically for visitors to Canada, so no provincial coverage required.

I've used that link before.
When you call the insurance company or fill in their online forms, those are the sorts of questions I'd be asked.
Manulife insurance is an example. I called another insurance broker and they told me they failed to find a provider (and that's an insurance broker!)

 

[Rob_TO]

I've used that link before.
When you call the insurance company or fill in their online forms, those are the sorts of questions I'd be asked.
Manulife insurance is an example. I called another insurance broker and they told me they failed to find a provider (and that's an insurance broker!)

I'm not sure you actually used the specific link i wrote, which is the visitors to Canada section of Kanetix.

Visitors to Canada insurance is specifically for people who are not citizens or PRs of Canada and who don't have any provincial health coverage. Use the specific companies the website identifies... and all will be suitable for people with no provincial coverage.

 

[OKLandman]

I am in Alberta. When I crossed over the border agent just gave me a 1 yr visitor permit since I showed him my application and am married to a Canadian Citizen who is working in Calgary. He told me not to forget to renew if my PR wasn't here by about 90 days prior to my year. This allowed me to obtain Alberta Health and I got it within the first month I was in Alberta.