Landing dilemma - To bring along child or not

[spyfy]

By settling in a province, you mean I should have a job/employment over there or just that I am living there ( may/may not be employed) ?
I am a bit confused about this healthcare stuff. How does it work? Do you mean once I am living in Canada with my daughter - I will be entitled to a free healthcare ( free as in really free - even if unemployed??) ? except for the first three months which goes in processing.

So for first three months, I should get myself a health insurance separately ? If yes, is it better to buy this in my home country before I land in Canada or is it good to buy it in Canada itself post landing ? Or perhaps my travel insurance can be extended to three months?? Also, is this health insurance mandatory?

If my child returns back to my home country and I stay back in Canada. Then, I only need to buy it for myself. My child can be covered through travel insurance only I think.

Sorry ...so confused

Yes, healthcare is actually for free. This includes doctors visits, emergency care and a VERY limited number of drugs (none of the usual ones). You have to live in the province as in having a home where you live day to day and be physically present in that province a minimum number of days a years (the exact numbers depend on your province). In particular, many provinces have special rules about the first months during which you can leave for a smaller number of days. Again that depends on the province.

So settling really just means that you have to live in Canada. You don't need employment or other things. Both you and your child get free healthcare by simply waving your card at the doctors office. Again, please note that this does not include drugs. So if you go to the doctor because your daughter has strep throat, the doctors visit is for free (just show your health card) but the antibiotics tha the doctor prescribes you have to pay from your own money. Once you have a job, your employer usually offers an additional private insurance plan that covers all or most of the cost for medication and for dentists visits.

If you go to a province with a waiting period (the three months quoted before), and again it depends on the province if there is a waiting period, you have three options:

• Check with a travel insurance in your home country if you can extend it to three months. I don't think anyone in this forum can answer that question because that depends on every single insurance company.
• There are insurances in Canada for newcomers. They are on the more expensive side, but in the end it's just for three months.
• You could get no insurance. This is, in my humble opinion, simply insane. You have no idea what could happen to you in those three months. If for some reason (of course let's hope that doesn't happen) you get diagnosed with a serious situation (cancer, chronical disease, a broken leg, ...) no one will pay anything and you will be stuck with bills in the 10,000s or 100,000s. This is a risk that you should never, never, never, ever take. Even more so with a child.

 

[spyfy]

Also, if you plan to buy Canadian insurance for those three months, buy it BEFORE you land. I know this sounds crazy but you might very well break your leg on the way from the airport to the insurance office and again no one will pay the bill but yourself.

 

[canuck78]

You will have to look into healthcare more carefully when you know what province you will be moving to. In some provinces you do have to pay a small amount that is relative to income to access the healthcare system. Some provinces do cover a small amount of medications but most cover none. Things that are not are usually not covered: Dentist, Vision care and glasses, physiotherapy/massage therapy/chiropractor/acupuntcture/etc, pesriptions although medication is covered if in the hospital, medical devices and the list goes on. When looking for employment you should try to find a job that offers extended health benefits if possible.

 

[GargiS]

Thanks for your inputs !! @canuck78

As for province, I am planning to stay in Ontario - Toronto area...though haven't finalized yet !

And yes ofcourse I understand these child benefits apply once my child starts living with me in Canada. My intention is to just figure out things so I can plan when to bring her.

 

[GargiS]

Also, if you plan to buy Canadian insurance for those three months, buy it BEFORE you land. I know this sounds crazy but you might very well break your leg on the way from the airport to the insurance office and again no one will pay the bill but yourself.

Its good to be careful I agree...though the thought of breaking my leg on the way from the airport - is not really great I would say

 

[GargiS]

You will have to look into healthcare more carefully when you know what province you will be moving to. In some provinces you do have to pay a small amount that is relative to income to access the healthcare system. Some provinces do cover a small amount of medications but most cover none. Things that are not are usually not covered: Dentist, Vision care and glasses, physiotherapy/massage therapy/chiropractor/acupuntcture/etc, pesriptions although medication is covered if in the hospital, medical devices and the list goes on. When looking for employment you should try to find a job that offers extended health benefits if possible.

Thanks for all your advice. Will really keep these things in mind !!
I am planning for Ontario - Toronto !

 

[GargiS]

Yes, healthcare is actually for free. This includes doctors visits, emergency care and a VERY limited number of drugs (none of the usual ones). You have to live in the province as in having a home where you live day to day and be physically present in that province a minimum number of days a years (the exact numbers depend on your province). In particular, many provinces have special rules about the first months during which you can leave for a smaller number of days. Again that depends on the province.

So settling really just means that you have to live in Canada. You don't need employment or other things. Both you and your child get free healthcare by simply waving your card at the doctors office. Again, please note that this does not include drugs. So if you go to the doctor because your daughter has strep throat, the doctors visit is for free (just show your health card) but the antibiotics tha the doctor prescribes you have to pay from your own money. Once you have a job, your employer usually offers an additional private insurance plan that covers all or most of the cost for medication and for dentists visits.

If you go to a province with a waiting period (the three months quoted before), and again it depends on the province if there is a waiting period, you have three options:

• Check with a travel insurance in your home country if you can extend it to three months. I don't think anyone in this forum can answer that question because that depends on every single insurance company.
• There are insurances in Canada for newcomers. They are on the more expensive side, but in the end it's just for three months.
• You could get no insurance. This is, in my humble opinion, simply insane. You have no idea what could happen to you in those three months. If for some reason (of course let's hope that doesn't happen) you get diagnosed with a serious situation (cancer, chronical disease, a broken leg, ...) no one will pay anything and you will be stuck with bills in the 10,000s or 100,000s. This is a risk that you should never, never, never, ever take. Even more so with a child.

Many thanks @spyfy for this detailed note ..really very helpful !
I am planning for Ontario - Toronto area - any views on that ?

 

[spyfy]

Many thanks @spyfy for this detailed note ..really very helpful !
I am planning for Ontario - Toronto area - any views on that ?

Here are the requirements regarding residency for OHIP. Also note that OHIP has in fact the three month waiting period

https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card#section-2

 

[canuck78]

Thanks for your inputs !! @canuck78

As for province, I am planning to stay in Ontario - Toronto area...though haven't finalized yet !

And yes ofcourse I understand these child benefits apply once my child starts living with me in Canada. My intention is to just figure out things so I can plan when to bring her.

You would be surprised about how many people don't understand that you actually have to live in Canada to claim child benefit and will have to repay all the money plus interest they received. That is the minimum consequence.

 

[GargiS]

Here are the requirements regarding residency for OHIP. Also note that OHIP has in fact the three month waiting period

https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card#section-2

Thanks @spyfy

 

[GargiS]

You would be surprised about how many people don't understand that you actually have to live in Canada to claim child benefit and will have to repay all the money plus interest they received. That is the minimum consequence.

Hmm... ignorance and stupidity can be very dangerous