Will my wife get medical coverage etc when she arrives?

[Lifer]

I was under the impression that as soon as PR was granted, my wife would be eligible for medical coverage the same as any Canadian, and that she'd be able to send her son to a public school. However, my brother-in-law, who works with immigrants in the school system, tells me that I would need to apply for guardianship of her son (my stepson), and that she would need to be in Canada for 3 months before she got medical coverage. Is this, or anything like this, true? It's quite important as she's now expecting and I've been told it's expensive to give birth in a Canadian hospital. And obviously, we want our son to go to school ;D

 

[can_usa_97]

He can enroll in school without any trouble, I remember seeing something about it not mattering even if you as parents were there illegally (which I know your not of course, haha ) but that the child would not be held accountable for his parents decision, if that makes sense?

As to healthcare, it would depend on where you are living. There are two areas (that I know of) that have no waiting period, Alberta and Manitoba. I believe all the others, though I might be missing one have 3 month wait before heath care begins.

 

[HoneyBird]

so reading with interest, does this mean that if she is not covered in the ontario area, she and her husband can travel to manitoba or alberta a week before she is expecting to give birth and thus won't have to pay a cent? Heard it can be up to 10, 000 CAD without coverage. It would make sense if they have relatives over there that she can bunk by for a week prior to delivery? just wondering if she can beat the system.

 

[robrod]

By some "people beating the system" then we all pay the price later, perhaps that is the answer to why some provinces do have that waiting period and some others don't, now that I think of it... I suppose you must show ID when you go to the hospital to establish residency and prevent the abuse.
Yes, it depends on what province she lands in. And all canadians (born and raised) moving to Ontario (not only newly landed PRs) have to wait 3 months. Newfoundland apparently is another one that doesn't have the 3 month wait.
When's the baby due?. Some airlines do not allow to fly pregnant women over 7 months to begin with.

 

[HoneyBird]

well she can drive.
the pr process takes such a long time to get...families are deprived of each other...why should they wait until she comes to get preggie, sometimes it happens like this and why put the family in more financial distress. if immigrationdid their job on time, she would be okay.

 

[robrod]

By having her baby delivered in her home country, that solves the problem of paying non-resident hospital bills in Canada to begin with. This new PR appears to be an outlander for what he posted. I doubt she can drive into Canada is she's in say, Europe.
I see the abuse recently in many things taking place, the latest the so-called marriages of convenience and people in this forum asking advice on how to divorce after securing the PR.

 

[anik1981]

The hospital in the other province will require the patient's proof of coverage under a provincial healthcare plan back home (OHIP in Ontario). If this cannot be produced, but "they ARE covered they swear!!!!!" the patient is billed with the option of having their provincial plan reimburse them.

As for the comment about "beating the system"...THIS is the reason we're all stuck waiting for our sweeties, and the reason I lose half my pay to taxes!!!! Immigration is federal...they take their time...why would the provinces (the tax payers) have to pick up the tab. There are rules in place for EVERYONE...follow them!

 

[robrod]

Well put, Anik!.

 

[chandu007]

Is there any benefit in the hospitals for uninsured pregnant mothers because of father being covered by the provincial health coverage, e.g. OHIP?

 

[suenim]

Is there any benefit in the hospitals for uninsured pregnant mothers because of father being covered by the provincial health coverage, e.g. OHIP?

No. There is no benefit. If the mother does not have OHIP then she will have to pay out of pocket. It does not matter if the father has it.

 

[Canuky]

Land in AB as there are no waiting periods here. If you land in ON and move to AB, you will be subject to a 3-month waiting period. It could be very expensive to give birth here without health care coverage. So better you pay a couple of hundred dollars extra in plane ticket and fly into Calgary than to be thousands of dollars in debt landing on ON.

 

[Canuky]

I forgot to mention, a friend of mine did same thing......she landed in AB, gave birth 4-days later and she was covered by AB healthcare. If your wife gives birth in your home country, it will cause a delay in moving down here. First, she will have to get the baby a passport as well as process permanent residency for the baby which could take atleast 6 months or more. If she gives birth in Canada, the baby is an automatic citizen of Canada.

Goodluck.

 

[can_usa_97]

According to the Alberta health website:

Moving to Alberta from another province or territory?

You are eligible for AHCIP coverage on the first day of the third month following your date of arrival. You should register before the first day of the fourth month after you arrive. If you apply later, the effective date of your coverage will be determined when you register.

 

[canindian]

It is recommended that you purchase travel insurance from your home country for the first 3 months in Canada until you are eligible for provincial health care programs. This makes sure that you are covered all medical needs.

 

[boblu]

you can get heath care for less than $100 per month from most carriers for the reason we are talking about. Just go on any major health care provider and the have on line forms for the coverage this will get you thought the waiting period (blue cross is only one of many)