GIVING BIRTH IN MONTREAL - PRIVATE

[Taffy]

Hi,

I am due to give birth in December and all being well we will hopefully land in October, I don't think we will have enough time to get Medicare so does any one know of any private facilities and a cost. 

Much appreciated.

[GK]

There are no private hospitals/clinics.  Anyhow, I looked up the cost before as we may had to do the same.  A normal delivery in Ontario, 48 hrs stay, with no complications for the mother will cost CAD 3,000-4,000.

[Taffy]

Thanks GK, at least I have a rough idea now

[RobsLuv]

I have a friend who immigrated to Quebec from the USA who landed only a few months prior to the birth of her baby.  I'll email her and find out what the process was for them.

[Taffy]

Hi Robsluv.

That would be great.

Thanks

[RobsLuv]

Hi - Here's what she wrote to me: "If she is landing in a couple of months what she wants to do is look up the Regie de L'assurance maladie of Quebec website, and search for information for new immigrants.  There should be a page that states there will be a 3 month waiting period for medical services, except for a few exceptions and one of those is child birth and anything related to child birth.  Have her print out that page and take it to the hospital.  Have her apply for the medical card right away because they will send her a letter stating that she has a 3 month waiting period and she will need that when she goes to the hospital to have the baby.  Now, whether she will have that letter by the time the baby is born or not is anyone's guess, but the sooner she applies and gets that letter, the better.  I had not gotten my letter by the time the baby was born, so we had to call the Regie and have them open up the file, get a letter done that day, and fax it to the hospital because they were threatening to hold me and the baby until the bill was paid in full.  They were talking about us having to pay $22,000+.  Once we got the Regie to send the letter to them, everything was fine."

So, it sounds like there's a bit of legwork involved, but the good news is that the birth should be covered.  Hope this info helps.

[Taffy]

Thanks Robsluv, this is a great help hopefully I may get to hear something in the next few days from visa office as my medical will expire in 50 days.