Working Holiday Visa - Health Insurance

[oz0987]

I'm an Australian with a working holiday visa in Montreal, Quebec. My starting date was in June 2010.

Since then I had insurance with Blue Cross until January 2011 however have failed to renew this contract, since I moved homes and travelled overseas and was not able to receive the notification or updates on time. Blue Cross tells me that I am now unable to buy insurance from them.

I now have another job but they don't provide health insurance - it seems as I discovered, that I cannot be covered by the Canadian government since I am only on a Working Holiday Visa. I'm not exactly sure about this, and have had difficulty getting answers from RAMQ since their opening hours are 9-4.30pm, I work 9-5pm.

I need some advice on my next steps:
1. Firstly, am I eligible for any sort of health insurance in Quebec? If so what is the criteria?
2. If not, what are the possibilities for me?
3. If I have to get private insurance - what other companies (aside from Blue Cross) offer good health insurance can I get recommendations?

I've also had a bit of trouble trying to find really good advice and info on the website regarding this matter. Feel free to send me links if you know of any websites with good/clear info.

Thanks in advanced.

 

[goldenbrown]

I'm an Australian with a working holiday visa in Montreal, Quebec. My starting date was in June 2010.

Since then I had insurance with Blue Cross until January 2011 however have failed to renew this contract, since I moved homes and travelled overseas and was not able to receive the notification or updates on time. Blue Cross tells me that I am now unable to buy insurance from them.

I now have another job but they don't provide health insurance - it seems as I discovered, that I cannot be covered by the Canadian government since I am only on a Working Holiday Visa. I'm not exactly sure about this, and have had difficulty getting answers from RAMQ since their opening hours are 9-4.30pm, I work 9-5pm.

I need some advice on my next steps:
1. Firstly, am I eligible for any sort of health insurance in Quebec? If so what is the criteria?
2. If not, what are the possibilities for me?
3. If I have to get private insurance - what other companies (aside from Blue Cross) offer good health insurance can I get recommendations?

I've also had a bit of trouble trying to find really good advice and info on the website regarding this matter. Feel free to send me links if you know of any websites with good/clear info.

Thanks in advanced.

For all those in situations like that.

There are about 10 Canadian Insurance companies who offer coverage for IEC/ Working Holiday Visa holders. Here is the list below:

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

Blue Cross are a lot stricter with their plans but many companies will allow extensions with minimal waiting periods- Travelance, TIC etc.