US wife needs private health insurance for how long while in Nova Scotia waiting

[Blueeyes294]

My Canadian husband is my sponsor for my appication for Permanent Residency. I am planning to go up this summer for a "visit" while awaiting my PR card. I am reading 4-12 months as the average wait. I am guessing ours will be on the fast side since we have been together 8 years and back and forth many many times (if they check our passports records). So should I buy insurance for 6 months or how long? When will I qualify for Canadian medical coverage? Will I qualify for medical coverage when I get my PR card? Not until I am a citizen? Thanks for your help.

 

[Insurance-Broker]

Get a 3 month policy which you can always extend, if needed!

 

[Blueeyes294]

When will I qualify for Canadian medical coverage? When I get my PR card? Not until I become a citizen? When?

 

[scylla]

When will I qualify for Canadian medical coverage? When I get my PR card? Not until I become a citizen? When?

Sometime after you become a PR. How long after depends on which province you will be living in.

 

[SenoritaBella]

http://www.gov.ns.ca/health/msi/moving_travel.asp#2
http://www.gov.ns.ca/health/msi/eligibility.asp

The only option that could possibly work for you if is you are a resident who makes a permanent home in Nova Scotia and are present in the province 183 days every calendar year. Otherwise, you would be eligible for coverage when you obtain PR status.

The other alternative is to find an employer willing to apply for a LMO for you and if approved you can apply for a work permit. You will be eligible from the moment you receive the work permit provided it is valid for at least 1 year. But you have to sign the declaration and renew it yearly and can not be out of the province for more than 31 consecutive days.

Otherwise, I would encourage you to get private insurance; worse case scenario, you could end up in emergency and be treated BUT they will send you the bill.

 

[Blueeyes294]

I will be a resident in Nova Scotia year round. Is there any where I can find out how long it takes to get my Health Card in Nova Scotia after I get my PR status? I will buy visitor's (traveler) insurance until then....

 

[SenoritaBella]

Takes about 1 - 2 weeks, if there are no issues.

I will be a resident in Nova Scotia year round. Is there any where I can find out how long it takes to get my Health Card in Nova Scotia after I get my PR status? I will buy visitor's (traveler) insurance until then....