Moving to BC

[rohitnar]

Hi:

Me and my wife are from the US and plan to move to BC this fall. My wife will be attending college and I will be on a open work permit. We currently have health insurance in the USA.

My questions are


How does Health Insurance work in BC, Canada? Do we pay for it or does the state pay for it.

I read somewhere that we will be eligible for health care 3 months after we move in
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/eligible.html#when
What does this mean? Will we need to pay any montly insurance rates after 3 months, just like we do in the USA?

Please advise on best course of action for us with regards to health insurance. Thanks

 

[Leon]

As a resident of BC, you become eligible for BC health care 2 to 3 months after you move, that is 2 months and a balance of the third. If you come to BC any time in August, you would have your health care on Nov. 1st. If you move any time in September, not until Dec. 1st.

The monthly premium for a couple is $120.50, see http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/premium.html

 

[haver]

You can apply when as soon as you arrive but the coverage will only start after two months plus the remainder of the month you arrived in. The provincial plan has very good health coverage, it does not however include dental or vision care. Meanwhile, you should look into getting private insurance while you await your health card. If you have any questions regarding insurance, you can visit our website.