Need Urgent Help Regarding OHIP- Ottawa

[masoud100]

Alright so I have sponsored my wife who is pregnant and she is due Feb 14, 2013 but I would like to consider it as January 14, 2013 just to be on the safe side. My wife will probably arrive by Nov 1, 2012 to Ontario. I have heard it is a 3 month waiting period for OHIP to be in effect. Also found out it costs a lot for births around $5000-$10,000.

Can I apply for her OHIP now? Or does she have to apply on her first day when she arrives? What should I do? I dont want my child born in another country and that is why I am bringing my wife here as a Permanent Resident.

 

[scylla]

Correct - your wife will have a three month waiting period after she arrives in Ontario before she can qualify for OHIP.

No - you can't apply for OHIP for her now. She has to land in Canada and become a PR before she can apply. And then she needs to live in Ontario for three months before she's issued an OHIP card. She can apply as soon as she arrives in Ontario - but it will be three months before she receives the OHIP card and can use it.

If the baby is born before your wife has OHIP coverage, you will have to pay for the costs of the birth out of your own pocket.

Does she already have her PR visa? If so, can she come to Canada earlier?

 

[masoud100]

Currently the Canada Visa Office in Pakistan has her Passport. I talked to them 2 days ago and they are just waiting for her x-ray to come and then will give stamp the passport with visa and send it back. I am thinking latest she will come is Nov 1.

When will they give her a PR Card? Right when she enters Canada in the airport? Or does she have to apply for a PR Card when she enters? Like I want to have all the information, paperworks filled out, etc so that literally the minute she arrives I send the forms and paperwork. One of the required proofs is that she needs something that states her address to send along with the OHIP form? What would that be since she wont have anything I believe that states her Ontario Address?

 

[scylla]

She will receive her PR card by mail around 6-7 weeks after she lands in Canada.

It really doesn't matter if she applies for OHIP the day she arrives or if she waits six weeks - she will receive the card three months after arriving in Canada.

If you don't want to wait for the PR card to arrive, add her to a bank account and I believe she can use the bank statement to apply for the OHIP card.

 

[masoud100]

So your saying it really doesnt matter when she sends the forms it just starts automatically from her 1st day in Canada? So say she comes on Nov 1, 2012m but doesnt send the forms until January 1st, 2013 and then delivers on Feb 14, 2013. Will she be covered under OHIP (even if she doesnt recieve the card in the mail yet)?

 

[scylla]

Correct.

 

[masoud100]

Well I just went to the two main hospitals in Ottawa and they said if my wife gives birth prior to her getting a OHIP Card then it will cost approimately $1800 (per day including delivery) + doctor fees, and + anestesia if needed. Doctor fees will cost from $200-$800 depending on doctor. So in total I am looking at about $3000.