Reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during waiting period in Canada

[smed74]

Dear All,

After landing as immmigrants in Canada, we have to apply for government health insurance. However, the insurance card / care card is provided in 2-3 months. During the waiting period of 2-3 months we have to bear the medical expenses.

Can someone please advise whether the medical expenses incurred during waiting period are later re-imbursed by the government ? Would really appreciate your response.

Thanks & Regards,

 

[scylla]

Can someone please advise whether the medical expenses incurred during waiting period are later re-imbursed by the government ? Would really appreciate your response.

No - you will not be re-imbursed by the government for any medical expenses incurred during the waiting period.

 

[Leon]

If they were going to re-imburse you for your expenses during the waiting period, they might as well skip the waiting period and give you a health card right away so no, they don't re-imburse. For the waiting period, make sure you have an accident and emergency insurance. If something happens to you, it could get expensive if you don't have insurance.

 

[firhill]

OT..but curious......

Back in 1978, my sister sponsored my (British) Mother in order that she could emigrate to Ontario and have open heart surgery done in Toronto. They wouldn't do the surgery in Scotland due to the risk involved (mostly her age).

I have always been curious as to why she was allowed to pay 3 months OHIP premiums up front and that was all she needed to have the surgery.

Leon, do you know if OHIP changed their policy over the years or if there was some other weird quirk in the system that allowed this to happen?

 

[scylla]

Rules have changed significantly over the years...

If your sister was sponsoring your mother now, your mother PR application would most likely be refused due to her health issues and she wouldn't even make it here - never mind benefit from OHIP.

 

[firhill]

Rules have changed significantly over the years...

Thanks for clearing that up.
I always wondered if it was some "special" UK/Canada deal or something.

 

[Leon]

There might have been some benefits to being commonwealth back in 1978 and sure, health care in different provinces rules are not set in stone and can be changed. For example, many provinces don't have the waiting period for people who are moving from a different country and some provinces used to have monthly fees they have abolished. OHIP for example does not have monthly fees any more.

Like scylla said, if your sister was applying for your mother today, she would have to pass medicals before being approved to immigrate. If it was clear that she needed heart surgery, she would not pass the medicals and would not be allowed to immigrate.

 

[smed74]

Thank You all for the response.

Could anyone please advise which are the recommended private health care insurance companies in Surrey or Vancouver in British Columbia. I am thinking of applying for private health insurance for the 2 months waiting period.

Regards,

 

[steaky]

Thank You all for the response.

Could anyone please advise which are the recommended private health care insurance companies in Surrey or Vancouver in British Columbia. I am thinking of applying for private health insurance for the 2 months waiting period.

Regards,

You can contact haver for that. Send a PM or email message (havercanada @ yahoo.com) to him if you like.

This is his website:

http://www.arbetovinsurance.com/visitorstocanada

 

[smed74]

Thanks a lot Steaky for sending the link

 

[an74]

Thanks a lot Steaky for sending the link

Is there any province without waiting period

 

[steaky]

Is there any province without waiting period

Alberta

 

[PMM]

Hi

Alberta

Nova Scotia Saskatchewan.

 

[an74]

Alberta

thanks