Medical Emergency - 15 days before OHIP kicks in.

[quresa1]

Hey Guys,

Need your help with some suggestions regarding my dads Medical Case.

My parents landed Nov 28, 2017 in Canada. OHIP starts on Feb 28, 2018.
On Feb 13 he had a medical emergency with Gal bladder infection which might require surgery,
He is sill in the hospital for the last 2 days and the Medical bill is almost 4K without the surgery which we don't know if we can postpone until his OHIP kics in 15 days.

Do you guys have any suggestions who can I contact or have you heard of any previous cases like that. I need some information who can I contact to have this cost waived or something as he is a PR holder just an unfortunate situation that this happened before the OHIP.

Appreciate your suggestions.

Regards,
Ali

 

[Rob_TO]

In general there is no process to simply waive costs incurred during the waiting period, as this is entirely the purposes of having the waiting period in the first place. The OHIP site even states you are supposed to have private medical coverage for first 3 months to cover these kinds of situations.

Unfortunately you should prepare to pay for everything out of pocket until OHIP kicks in on Feb 28.

You can try arguing to the OERC, but really there is practically no chance: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/review.aspx

 

[Betula]

I agree with the previous reply. Very unfortunate that he didn't have a private health insurance - they only cost about 100 dollars per month and certainly cover medical emergencies and hospitalizations due to such happenings. Since the costs seem to be going quite high, it makes sense to at least try to appeal, but be mentally prepared for rejection and having to pay.

 

[canuck78]

Unfortunately even citizens returning back to Canada wouldn't have any recourse. You may be able to work out a payment plan or make small adjustments to the bill but it is not like the US where the bills are padded. The argument will always be that you were aware of the 3 month wait time and that it was suggested you tale out health insurance for that period. Seem like this sounds as something that would have been covered had you had insurance. It is unlikely if he need surgery that you can wait 15 days and whether the hospital will be willing to wait knowing the need the bed as soon as possible. I'm sorry about the unfortunate situation.

 

[Jonudcastro]

I agree with the previous reply. Very unfortunate that he didn't have a private health insurance - they only cost about 100 dollars per month and certainly cover medical emergencies and hospitalizations due to such happenings. Since the costs seem to be going quite high, it makes sense to at least try to appeal, but be mentally prepared for rejection and having to pay.

Which medical insurance is this that costs only 100$per month? Pls advise.

 

[Jonudcastro]

I will be moving to Halifax June -July. My daughter is due for her year five vaccination /immunisation is due in Nov. Not sure how to go about this?

 

[canuck78]

Once you establish yourself in NS and get a health card you'll need to find a family doctor for your family and then book and appointment.

 

[Betula]

Which medical insurance is this that costs only 100$per month? Pls advise.

Depends on the coverage you want, but the lowest amount of coverage (50 000 CAD) insurances started from around 80 bucks a month from Blue Cross and Sunlife. Both I and my friend have used those for example when our health coverage ended due to implied status. Increasing the coverage amount to 100k I guess brought the price to around 100 bucks a month. Why don't you call a few companies and compare? In general, Blue Cross is well known and a lot of new immigrants deal with them.
Remember I'm talking about an emergency insurance only, the one you will get while waiting for provincial healthcare or while on implied status.

 

[Jonudcastro]

Once you establish yourself in NS and get a health card you'll need to find a family doctor for your family and then book and appointment.

How long does it take to get a health card in NS? In one of the threads I read that provinces like NS and PE grant health Care on day one until Others where there is a waiting period of 90

 

[Jonudcastro]

Depends on the coverage you want, but the lowest amount of coverage (50 000 CAD) insurances started from around 80 bucks a month from Blue Cross and Sunlife. Both I and my friend have used those for example when our health coverage ended due to implied status. Increasing the coverage amount to 100k I guess brought the price to around 100 bucks a month. Why don't you call a few companies and compare? In general, Blue Cross is well known and a lot of new immigrants deal with them.
Remember I'm talking about an emergency insurance only, the one you will get while waiting for provincial healthcare or while on implied status.

Thank you for sharing this information. Does one need to apply for the insurance on landing or can it be done from India itself? What would emergency insurance actual cover? I have a little child and chances of fever etc may crop up for to change of location and weather

 

[Rob_TO]

How long does it take to get a health card in NS? In one of the threads I read that provinces like NS and PE grant health Care on day one until Others where there is a waiting period of 90

This thread is related to OHIP from Ontario, not NS.

 

[Rob_TO]

Thank you for sharing this information. Does one need to apply for the insurance on landing or can it be done from India itself? What would emergency insurance actual cover? I have a little child and chances of fever etc may crop up for to change of location and weather

You should get insurance from a Canadian company, and can purchase it beforehand from your home country before you arrive.

It will cover anything the is an emergency and unexpected, so not related to any pre-existing conditions you may have. Also will not cover anything considered a routine visit or checkup with a doctor (like a vaccination, etc).

There are some online brokers to compare and purchase from multiple companies. If you are in Ontario with OHIP, you would need the insurance coverage for 90 days from your PR landing.
https://www.kanetix.ca/travel-visitors-to-canada

 

[zardoz]

Some people take the chance to save a few dollars. Many/most of them get away with it.
Then, there's the odd one or two that get absolutely hammered with medical bills.

It's a gamble...