one-year pilot OWP for spouses and common-law partners

[anr8779]

I am honestly surprised that the sunlife allowed it to happen when it is written in their policy that they must be on provincial health coverage first to qualify for work benefits. I was told by my employer the same thing, they also uses sunlife. My wife couldn't get on my work benefits until I have given proof that she is on OHIP first.

I was actually surprised when HR advised me they can add my wife (Non-Canadian) to my policy.
I advised them she is NOT A CANADIAN and has no STATUS.

They contacted sunlife, confirmed with their rep and I was asked to submit her paper work.
Few weeks later I got her card, mind you the card has my name on it but she is attached to my file.

 

[screech339]

You may be mistaken. This isn't any form of fraud, and the coverage you get has nothing to do with you having any kind of health insurance.

Companies in Canada don't overlap coverage with OHIP. So if you're going to see a doctor, visit the ER, take a ride in an Ambulance, your company coverage doesn't do anything for you anyway.

So, it's perfectly fine to get your spouse covered by your benefits, as long as you realize you'll be out-of-pocket for everything that OHIP would normally cover.

OHIP has nothing to do with your dental, eye, or prescriptions, so if your company covers that there's no reason why your spouse wouldn't be able to get that coverage as well.

It is not so much that OHIP has nothing to do with dental/eye and prescription work benefits and it doesn't since OHIP doesn't cover it but that it is in their policy that the applicant must be on provincial health coverage first before he/she qualifies for any work benefits.

Usually the employer insurance company makes it all or nothing. If you have OHIP you are entitled to all benefits, if you don't have OHIP you aren't entitled to anything. Insurance can't pick and choose which benefits are partially covered by OHIP and which aren't, as it would be too difficult to manage. Easier to just say you get nothing.

I had this same issue with my wife. As soon as we became common-law I added her to my work benefits the same day. I had no clue about requiring OHIP, and they never asked for her OHIP number and just added her no questions asked.

I only found out because at one point we were travelling and she claimed an out-of-country medical expense through my work benefits. They payed the claim, but then sent a form asking for her OHIP info (since OHIP will pay partial payment for out-of-country medical costs). So I called in and asked a "hypothetical" question of what would happen if someone didn't have OHIP, and they said they could not be covered at all, period.

It was over a year later before she landed as PR and did the 3 month waiting period, and during that time we made tons of claims. Luckily for us, they never checked.

Here is RobTO's post regarding insurance company's policy of being on OHIP first.

 

[screech339]

https://www.sunlife.ca/Canada/sun+aff/Insurance+products/Extended+Health+Care+insurance/Plan+details/Extended+Health+Care+Insurance-+Plan+details?vgnLocale=en_CA#eligibility

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for PHI insurance if you:

reside in Canada
are over age 18
are under age 69
and have provincial health coverage.

Your spouse is eligible to apply for PHI insurance if they:
reside in Canada
are less than 70 years of age
have provincial health coverage.

 

[screech339]

http://www.sunlife.ca/Canada/sunlifeCA/Health/Personal+health+insurance/Health+Coverage+Choice?vgnLocale=en_CA

Health Coverage Choice provides affordable coverage for unexpected health expenses as well as many ongoing health-related needs not covered by provincial plans. If you don't have provincial health care coverage, we cannot provide you with Health Coverage Choice insurance.

These plans complement the coverage provided by your Canadian provincial plans. You must have provincial health coverage in order to qualify for Health Coverage Choice. You must apply to your province for reimbursement first. The unpaid portion can then be submitted for coverage under your Health Coverage Choice plan.

 

[anr8779]

http://www.sunlife.ca/Canada/sunlifeCA/Health/Personal+health+insurance/Health+Coverage+Choice?vgnLocale=en_CA

Health Coverage Choice provides affordable coverage for unexpected health expenses as well as many ongoing health-related needs not covered by provincial plans. If you don't have provincial health care coverage, we cannot provide you with Health Coverage Choice insurance.

These plans complement the coverage provided by your Canadian provincial plans. You must have provincial health coverage in order to qualify for Health Coverage Choice. You must apply to your province for reimbursement first. The unpaid portion can then be submitted for coverage under your Health Coverage Choice plan.

I dont know what to tell you screech339.

I've used my insurance countless times, most recent claim was for her perscription glasses. Only fee I had to pay for was the eye exam. They paid for her lens and frame.....

 

[screech339]

I dont know what to tell you screech339.

I've used my insurance countless times, most recent claim was for her perscription glasses. Only fee I had to pay for was the eye exam. They paid for her lens and frame.....

I am not saying that you shouldn't have access to claims. I am just surprised that you were able to do it without OHIP. That is all that I am saying.

 

[Janina]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to say that I got my OWP today. Applied end of February for both PR and OWP, so it seems they have sped up the process now. Good luck to everyone else!

 

[MH_UK]

,Hello,
I have got a few queries and would appreciate responses as I am quite confused.

My wife is currently on an OWP in Canada which expires on July,29 2015.I am planning to apply for Spouse Work Permit(ONE YEAR PILOT) along with Permanent Residence application.

1) Would she be able to work between the period of July 29,2015 to the time the Spouse Work Permit(ONE YEAR PILOT) is granted which I believe is a 4 months period??
2) Where does the application(Or individual application) needs to be sent? On to the address in Mississauga or Vegreville ?

Look forward to you kind responses, thanks.

 

[Nasi Lemak]

Hi folks,

We are planning on submitting my wife's inland PR and OWP application in September since we are currently living aboard. I have read in this thread that some people's recently-received OWPs are only valid until January. Is this the case with all? Could September be "too late" to apply for this program?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[chrismgallen]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to say that I got my OWP today. Applied end of February for both PR and OWP, so it seems they have sped up the process now. Good luck to everyone else!

Hoping you, or someone else that's got their OWP so far can answer this - when you say you received your OWP, do they just mail it to you? Or do you have to flagpole to receive it? Just wondering as I'm potentially changing address in a few months time. Thanks!

 

[alampasis]

Hoping you, or someone else that's got their OWP so far can answer this - when you say you received your OWP, do they just mail it to you? Or do you have to flagpole to receive it? Just wondering as I'm potentially changing address in a few months time. Thanks!

They just mail it to you.The actual work permit is gonna arrive in your mail box with no warning That's what I'm waiting for any day now!

 

[raffylopezcutora]

i'm still waiting for mine, almost 4 months now since the day they received it... OWP received by CIC last January 21, 2015...hopefully it will arrive this week :'(

 

[PTJ]

And finally it's my turn to post this!


OWP Application received by CIC January 26th
Application approved: May 13th.


All the best for those who are still waiting...don't be weary, it will come.

 

[PTJ]

i'm still waiting for mine, almost 4 months now since the day they received it... OWP received by CIC last January 21, 2015...hopefully it will arrive this week :'(

...it might be in the post already. Why not call CIC to confirm?

 

[alampasis]

And finally it's my turn to post this!


OWP Application received by CIC January 26th
Application approved: May 13th.


All the best for those who are still waiting...don't be weary, it will come.

Congratulations.I applied same date.What province are you at?Hope mine is on the way too....!!!!