Health Insurance

[gocanada963]

Friends
I could not find some information I was looking for hence posting these questions. Could you please help?

1. The health insurance coverage once obtained, does it take care of the coverage 100% or do we have a co-pay which we need to bear?
2. Once the prescriptions are provided by the doctor, are the medicines covered by the health insurance card or atleast partially covered?
(Some anti biotics are extremely expensive and hence this question)
3. Is it recommended to have an additional pvt insurance to cover dental, eyeglasses?
4. If I plan a trip across provinces, will the health card cover the insurance in another province and is there a time limit to the coverage?
5. Can you suggest a good pvt insurance company for the initial 3 months of coverage?
Kindly excuse if some of these questions are already answered in this forum.
Thank You

 

[angelbrat]

What Provence are you talking about?

Each Provence has it's own rules and regulations.

BC for example, you pay your MSP premiums monthly unless you are on a very low income (minimum wage) or your employer pays them.

This covers the basic cost of most health care. All prescriptions will have to be paid for out of your own pocket unless you have extended medical, again usually through your employer. Dental, physiotherapy etc is also paid, again either from your own pocket or through your extended medical coverage.

That's why when you see a job advertised and they state benefit package, its because this is a good perk to a job.

 

[Leon]

1. The health insurance coverage once obtained, does it take care of the coverage 100% or do we have a co-pay which we need to bear?

There are certain things you may have to pay for such as elective surgery (plastic surgery) and certain medical exams (like for immigration) and ambulance rides and if you need your doctor to fill out some forms for insurance or a sick note for your work, you may have to pay. I think BC is now the only province that has a flat monthly fee for health care. Alberta use to but they stopped it. OHIP has a premium based on your income, see http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/tax/healthpremium/rates.html

2. Once the prescriptions are provided by the doctor, are the medicines covered by the health insurance card or atleast partially covered? (Some anti biotics are extremely expensive and hence this question)

They are not covered but the cost of medications are regulated so they are not very expensive for example compared to the US. Most people have supplementary insurance through their employer which covers a large portion of the cost of medications.

3. Is it recommended to have an additional pvt insurance to cover dental, eyeglasses?

As with all insurances, it is up to you if you feel you benefit from buying the insurance rather than taking your chances with your actual costs. However, most employers have such an insurance in their benefits package and you usually do not have the option to opt out of it. Such insurance packages may be fully or partially paid by the employer. The portion of the employee, if there is one is often $30-50 a month. They always cover a large portion of the cost of medication and dental work but they will often also cover eye glasses, hearing aids, sometimes massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy and other things.

4. If I plan a trip across provinces, will the health card cover the insurance in another province and is there a time limit to the coverage?

They will cover you in other provinces and if you move to another province to stay, for the first 3 months. They have a limit for how long they cover you if you are out of the province, that is you must live in the province for a certain number of days every year to keep your coverage. For most, it is probably 6 months a year. OHIP as a rule for living there for 5 months out of the first 6 months you are covered.

5. Can you suggest a good pvt insurance company for the initial 3 months of coverage?

I can not suggest you anything. I think it would be a better idea for you to buy emergency travel insurance in your home country before you leave where you know the insurance companies. That is what I did.

 

[gocanada963]

Leon
Thank You for the very detailed reply. Also as a side note, excellent clarity in your replies, I am sure you scored 10/10 in IELTS written

Thanks again

 

[phdmaker]

Great explanation Leon !!!!


Thanks & take care.