Getting Health Insurance

[Kess]

I am assuming that the insurace is needed for the people who are "waiting it out" in Canada.  Once we get our PR visa we can utilize gvmnt healthcare.  Is that correct?

I'm not sure if the PR applicant would be elligible for government health care as soon as they get their approval.  I think it (depending on the province) would be roughly 3 months after.  I know in BC you have to wait the balance of the month you applied plus 2 additional months before you get MSP coverage.  And you can't apply until get a sin number/residency etc.

[OnTheMove]

If that's the case, is the sponsored spouse required to have some type of health coverage upon arrival?

[kelKel]

I don't believe its a requirement but its not to have in case of an unexpected emergency.

[insubuy]

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[QCSunshine]

We used Blue Cross Québec. 700 something for 6 months. When you are getting rate quites, make sure you tell the insurance companies if you have already had the immigration medical exam because having done that already reduced the fee for me.

[dhd]

If you have supplemental group health insurance through your Canadian employer, you might be able to buy a group plan for your spouse that gives them full coverage (doctor, ob-gyn, etc).  It will be called a "Medicare replacement plan" or a "welcome plan".  I have this from GreatWest, probably other group insurers have them too.

Unfortunately you still have to pay up front and get reimbursed, unlike (I think) UHIP, and it costs more (think US health insurance...).  But it covers things like doctor's appointments which the Blue Cross and similar plans don't.  It would be really nice if OHIP/RAMQ/etc would just give you the option to buy into Medicare until your waiting period expires...