I'm Canadian my wife isn't what should we do about our pregnancy?

[computergeek]

Ontario will not cover midwives in this scenario. I believe RAMQ will (but am not certain).

The information I have says otherwise.

Midwifery services are completely funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, so women do not pay for care out-of-pocket. Women who are not currently covered by OHIP can still receive free midwifery care.

(emphasis added)

Source: http://www.ontariomidwives.ca/midwife/q-a

The language I found for Quebec suggests it is not available with RAMQ access:

In Québec, midwifery services are entirely funded by the MSSS (department of health and social services). Women covered by provincial Medicare have free access to midwifery services.

Source: http://www.canadianmidwives.org/province/Quebec.html?prov=6

 

[danko8]

Hi Computergeek,

So if my wife has the current situation..
2010-June- Entered Canada with Temporary work visa (1 year Japan working holiday visa)- resides in Canada
2011-June- Expired Temporary work visa- but granted visitor visa by CIC- resides in Canada
2011-Oct- Married to Canadian (Me)- resides in Canada
2012-Mar- Applied for PR (outland) while residing in Canada with me as we wait for PR
2012-June- Became pregnant
2012-Nov.17- received CoPR (outland) that needs landing stamp by CBSA
2012-Nov.18- leave and enter at border, signed CoPR
2012-Nov.19- Apply for OHIP with OHIP approved post dated by computer system to Feb.19, 2013 (3 months after PR Landing).
2013-Feb. 25- Baby expected arrival, but cutting it way too close!

My question- Since my wife applied "outland PR application" but was really residing here in Canada, in your opinion, would OHIP grant her OHIP coverage for NOV.17 since she has been residing in Canada since June 2010?

When we were at the Service Ontario and after reviewing the passport, they wanted to confirm and called Health Canada and 1 person said YES- should be June2010, but when computer system didn't allow it, we called again and another Health Canada operator said NO, it should be Feb. 19, 2013.

They just followed the computer screen and 2nd answer from operator.

What is your opinion?

The information I have says otherwise.

(emphasis added)


The language I found for Quebec suggests it is not available with RAMQ access:

 

[computergeek]

My understanding is that this is consistent with Ontario policy. You of course can appeal their decision.

Note that I am not an expert on Ontario's Health Insurance Plan, so perhaps others can suggest something else.

 

[Leon]

Yes, this is standard practice in Ontario.

 

[scylla]

I agree. Your wife is eligible Feb.19, 2013.

 

[danko8]

Ok, thanks everyone for your input. When we received 2 different answers from Health Canada, it was easy to believe both, but wasn't sure if both were possibly correct. The earlier coverage would be in my favour, but I am currently purchasing Health coverage for her through Manulife, which does cover pregnancy and all the fees (thank goodness).
Thanks everyone! ;D

 

[Kayvanblue]

seems like all my question hAs already BEEN nawered

 

[strongestkarate]

Hi Danko8:

My wife is 6 month pregnant and we just landed here in Toronto.
Are you sure Manulife covers pregnany related expenses such as prenatal exams and delivery?

I spoke to one agent and he said it's not... may ask for your contact in Manulife?
Maybe it's a different plan and I would want that coverage for my wife too.

Eric

Ok, thanks everyone for your input. When we received 2 different answers from Health Canada, it was easy to believe both, but wasn't sure if both were possibly correct. The earlier coverage would be in my favour, but I am currently purchasing Health coverage for her through Manulife, which does cover pregnancy and all the fees (thank goodness).
Thanks everyone! ;D

 

[scylla]

Hi Danko8:

My wife is 6 month pregnant and we just landed here in Toronto.
Are you sure Manulife covers pregnany related expenses such as prenatal exams and delivery?

I spoke to one agent and he said it's not... may ask for your contact in Manulife?
Maybe it's a different plan and I would want that coverage for my wife too.

Eric

Agreed. I was very surprised to read that Manulife would be willing to cover pregnancy related costs (there's nothing in it for them - it's a losing proposition). The premiums for that kind of coverage must be extremely high.

 

[Leon]

It wouldn't make any sense for them to cover it. It would be like asking an insurance company to pay for an upcoming surgery that will cost $5000. It wouldn't make any sense for them to cover it unless the premium for the insurance is also 5000.

When a woman is 6 months pregnant, it is a known fact that she will give birth at some point. Therefore, it wouldn't make any sense to cover it unless the premium is the cost of a normal delivery + whatever they calculate as the risk of there being complications, c-section etc.

 

[danko8]

Hi everyone, just as an update to the questions...

1- I am purchasing the Manulife Provincial Plan Replacement Insurance. It is an additional package offered to current corporate customers of Manulife Benefits plan..which we use at the company I work for. My company won't cover the cost, so I purchase it through my HR, and they arrange directly. It costs me 150$/month and I started purchasing this immediately after I found out it existed for my wife. I also was very worried about the costs of covering pregnancy, but I called them directly and its 100% replacement for OHIP, and will expire right after we get OHIP. We were reimbursed for all costs (OB, check-ups, bloodwork) but this excludes document fees.

2- We sent a letter to appeal the OHIP eligibility date, and after they reviewed our letter, reasoning and my wife's Immigration file (need to sign a release form), they agreed that although we submitted PR application from outland (Outside of Canada) although she was with me living in Canada, they were able to use the CIC Application review date of Aug. 29 as the start-point of OHIP 3 month (covered from Nov.29) wait rather than the day we received the PR letter (Nov.19 Landing date with Feb. 19 coverage date). Now I can cancel the Manulife PRR as well as properly register at the hospital with OHIP rather than Private insurance.

 

[margobear96]

If you don't have a job yet in Canada, why the rush given the pregnant wife situation? There will be a 3-month-ish wait for for YOU as a returning Canadian before you get provincial heathcare. I think your wife then therefore also has a 3-month wait even if the province is generous and covers her as your dependent.... Wouldn't it make more sense to avoid the stress and have the baby in Korea? (BTW you can apply for your wife's PR before you move back.) Surely your wife would appreciate family support after the birth and your child would be a Canadian citizen anyway through you. The last resort is to pay out-of-pocket. I ended up doing this and it was around $10K. I thought it was reasonable though, since I was coming from the US and it wasn't a simple birth. I think the hospital was nice and charged me as a Canadian who didn't have health coverage, not as a complete foreigner.

 

[margobear96]

Just to clarify the 3-month wait is in Ontario and BC. I don't know about the other provinces. And I paid about $10K out-of-pocket in BC and included check ups/monitoring, emergency C-section, 5 day hospitalization, Mg IV, etc.

 

[BIBIN1991]

Hi Dank08,

I am in a similar situation as you and my wife has a manulife PPR plan.Does this cover the cost of pregnancy.

 

[canuck78]

Hi Dank08,

I am in a similar situation as you and my wife has a manulife PPR plan.Does this cover the cost of pregnancy.

Thos post is 8 years old. Would call manulife Ago clarify or look at the fine print of your policy.