working holiday approved, do I need health insurance?

[electriq]

I'm wondering whether I need to buy health insurance. My working holiday acceptance letter says it depends on the province I will be living in. I'll be in ontario and I don't have a job yet. I am applying for PR through spousal sponsorship but that hasn't been approved at this stage (hence the working holiday).

Have other people found that they check out whether you have health insurance upon arrival?

 

[PMM]

Hi

I'm wondering whether I need to buy health insurance. My working holiday acceptance letter says it depends on the province I will be living in. I'll be in ontario and I don't have a job yet. I am applying for PR through spousal sponsorship but that hasn't been approved at this stage (hence the working holiday).

Have other people found that they check out whether you have health insurance upon arrival?

1. Yes, you require health insurance with repatriation on the WHV (IEC Canada visa)

What type of insurance must I get before leaving for Canada? http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=939&t=25

You must have health insurance for the entire time you are in Canada. The health insurance must cover:

medical care,
hospitalization, and
repatriation.

We recommend you buy this insurance only after you receive your Letter of Introduction.
You may be refused entry if you do not have insurance. If your insurance policy is valid for less time than your expected stay in Canada, you may be issued a work permit that expires at the same time as your insurance.

 

[electriq]

Yes I have read that but what I am wondering is what are people's actual experience, is this checked?
I would like to avoid buying health insurance unless I really have to.

Also, for Ontario it looks like I may be eligible for public health insurance as I have applied for residency.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Yes I have read that but what I am wondering is what are people's actual experience, is this checked?
I would like to avoid buying health insurance unless I really have to.

Also, for Ontario it looks like I may be eligible for public health insurance as I have applied for residency.

1. Note OHIP doesn't cover repatriation, neither do any other provinces.
2. You take the chance, and are refused but that is your decision.

 

[Onemoretime]

Yes I have read that but what I am wondering is what are people's actual experience, is this checked?
I would like to avoid buying health insurance unless I really have to.

Also, for Ontario it looks like I may be eligible for public health insurance as I have applied for residency.

Can you point me to the place where it says that you may qualify for public health in Ontario if you applied for residency? Thanks!

 

[Onemoretime]

Also, for Ontario it looks like I may be eligible for public health insurance as I have applied for residency.

Never mind, I found the OHIP website and spoke to them. You actually do not qualify until you get some written confirmation from CIC that your have been approved for PR. Then you can apply and there may be a 3 month wait (depending on other circumstances like previous OHIP cards with PGWP, etc). So the fact that you have applied for PR does not qualify you unfortunately.

 

[electriq]

Thanks OneMoreTime, very helpful to know

 

[goldenbrown]

Even if you qualify for provincial health care, OHIP, there will be a waiting period of 3 months after you land. And while some people mentioned entering without an insurance policy- it is still mandatory on paper. That means you can be requested to provide a proof of coverage for those things:

repatriation, medical care and hospitalization

I'd suggest contacting OHIP for specific guidelines regarding your situation.

You can always go with private plan until you go on OHIP (if you qualify) and get a refund for any unused period.

For more information you can look this up:

<a href=https://arbetovinsurance.com/iec-travel-insurance/>IEC Insurance Plans</a>

 

[PMM]

Hi

Even if you qualify for provincial health care, OHIP, there will be a waiting period of 3 months after you land. And while some people mentioned entering without an insurance policy- it is still mandatory on paper. That means you can be requested to provide a proof of coverage for those things:

repatriation, medical care and hospitalization

I'd suggest contacting OHIP for specific guidelines regarding your situation.

You can always go with private plan until you go on OHIP (if you qualify) and get a refund for any unused period.

For more information you can look this up:

<a href=https://arbetovinsurance.com/iec-travel-insurance/>IEC Insurance Plans</a>

1. As posted before, OHIP doesn't included repatriation, so the OP has to keep his insurance.